Volume 28, Issue 4
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2019.1144
COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF EXCORIATION (SKIN PICKING) DISORDER
Abstract
Excoriation (skin picking) disorder was first described in 1875 by Erasmus Wilson. Nevertheless, after more than 140 years since its discovery, it has not yet been fully studied and understood. Over the years, it has received multiple names (neurotic excoriation, psychogenic excoriation, pathological skin picking, compulsive skin picking) and only since late 2012 it has been included in diagnostic guidelines. Excoriation (skin picking) disorder can be a challenging condition for the non-experienced therapist. The first line treatment for excoriation (skin picking) disorder is cognitive behavioral therapy. This also applies for other body-focused repetitive behaviors, such as trichotillomania. In this review article, we present the main elements of this type of psychotherapy in the treatment of these psychodermatology patients.
Keywords
Excoriation disorder, skin picking, treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodermatology