In the Wrong Place?

I have excoriation disorder but not OCD. Excoriation disorder and Obsessive-compulsive disorder are closely related, but not identical. How they’re alike: Both involve repetitive, hard-to-resist behaviors that reduce tension or distress. Both can have a strong urge → action → temporary relief → shame/regret cycle. Both are part of the broader obsessive-compulsive and related disorders category in the DSM-5. How they differ: In OCD, the behavior is usually driven by obsessions (intrusive thoughts, fears, “something bad will happen”). In excoriation disorder, the behavior is often driven more by sensory urges, tension, habit, or the need to “fix” a perceived skin imperfection, not always by a fear-based obsession. Treatment overlap: A lot overlaps, but it is not exactly the same. For OCD: ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold standard. For excoriation disorder: Habit Reversal Training (HRT) is often first-line. Usually combined with CBT, stimulus control (changing the environment to reduce picking), and emotional regulation work. Unfortunately, this is not enough for some people including me. Frustrated. I like my therapist, but I’m starting to lose faith. My excoriation disorder causes so much pain.

Mercury75

Date posted: Yesterday

Interesting, I hadn't heard of this disorder before. You're welcome to be here if you find this community helpful :)

Jessica B.

Date posted: Yesterday

@Mercury75 Thanks. An example is biting your nails and picking at the skin around them. For some people it can get a lot worse in terms of causing physical damage. I haven’t had a lot of luck finding a psychiatrist or psychologist with a treatment plan that actually works.

Love1another<3

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

NOCD also treats BFRB’s so you’re in the right place :)

Jessica B.

Date posted: Yesterday

@Love1another<3 I had figured that out. The problem is HRT isn’t enough for some people with this. I’ll continue on until I get a better idea.

Love1another<3

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jessica B. Oh I’m very sorry to hear about that 🧡 Understandable. No matter what you’re not alone and I’m sure help is out there for you. Best wishes <3

Jamiemartinez

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jessica B. I love you Jesus loves you even more I’ve learned in my OCD that you have to trust God even when it’s hard to resist trusting that God’s going to handle it and don’t even try to stop it just trust in the superior God that we have❤️

Jessica B.

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jamiemartinez Thank you. I’m Jewish. I believe in a God who equals everything. Must Jews, including myself, believe Jesus was a Rabbi, a special kind of teacher.

Jamiemartinez

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jessica B. Glad if I was able to help not trying to force anything but just saying I sought Jesus and he saved me from everything my lord and savior he died and would’ve done the same even if there was just one of you and now I can rest knowing I’m forgiven and most importantly have a personal relationship with him❤️❤️❤️ again not trying to force anything

Jessica B.

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jamiemartinez Don’t worry. I’m glad it gives you comfort.

katied445

Date posted: 14h

I have this as well as having OCD. Just started therapy with NOCD and my therapist told me we can only do treatment for one at a time . So I chose the OCD first because my intrusive thoughts of myself or my daughter dying have been pervasive since she was born four years ago . But also so has the excoriation disorder - since having a kid it’s been the worst it’s ever been . I even had to go to the ER a year ago because a spot I picked got badly infected to the point that they had to do an incision and drain . Mostly I pick at my face or my scalp . In some ways scalp is worse because I can do it anywhere . I will be at work meeting with someone and start picking at a scab on my scalp and trying to ~subtly~ pull it out of my hair in a way that is not super obvious /noticeable but people always see me doing it and have a questioning look on their face like wtf are you doing with your hair . It’s been just face picking for a year which I need to be in front of a mirror but sometimes the picked spots are so bad and like not drying or healing and I’m trying to cover them with makeup but they’re still like…oozing…so I look like a leper or something . But that’s still not enough to get me to stop. I will cover the mirrors sometimes but then just pull the cover off .

Jessica B.

Date posted: 14h

@katied445 I’m getting a Keen2 Habit Awareness Bracelet for free through my therapist. It’s for face and hair. If your therapist can’t or doesn’t know how to order it for you, I had to ask in the support channel to get things moving.

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