Dermatillomania and BDD

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a somatoform disorder characterized by a distorted or delusional perception of one's body or particular body parts. People with BDD are normal looking and often exceptionally good looking, however they perceive themselves as extremely unattractive, sometimes to the extent of social isolation and even suicide at an exceptionally high rate.

Approximately 73% of those suffering from BDD are concerned specifically with their skin. Compulsive mirror checking, compulsive skin-touching, and social withdrawal are all symptoms associated with skin specific body dysmorphia, better known as dermatillomania.

Dermatillomania is the most common form of BDD. The word itself has a lineage dating back to ancient Greece. When broken down into smaller words, an appropriate picture of the disorder is better revealed.
Dermatillomania is a disorder involving the skin, thus the "derma" portion of the word. Derma=skin (from Greek). The word "Till" which means to pull (Greek) signifies the destructive act of picking at the skin. Lastly, the word "Mania" meaning madness, describes the uncontrollable nature of the disorder.

None of the skin on the body is off limits to a patient with this disorder. Most people pick at the skin that is easiest to reach, such as the skin on the hands, arms, neck, face and scalp.

Doctors, particularly those specializing in mental health issues and dermatology acknowledge that this compulsion for picking at the skin on the face, and anywhere else on the body, is an issue that is dangerous in and of itself but is also a sign of deeper emotional turmoil that will most likely require in-depth behavioral therapy.