Compulsive Skin Picking
Chronic skin picking (CSP), also known as dermatillomania, is a serious and poorly understood problem. People who suffer from CSP repetitively touch, rub, scratch, pick at, or dig into their skin, often in an attempt to remove small irregularities or perceived imperfections. This behavior may result in skin discoloration or scarring. In more serious cases, severe tissue damage and visible disfigurement can result.
CSP is now thought of as one of many Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) in which a person can cause harm or damage to themselves or their appearance. Other BFRBs include chronic hair pulling (trichotillomania), biting the insides of the cheeks, and severe nail biting.
Though not currently listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – IV (DSM-IV) some researchers believe CSP should be listed as a separate diagnostic entity.