Although the TLC newsletter has always been limited to discussing matters related to trichotillomania, I would like to introduce a slightly different but related topic. It may come as no surprise that there are other types of problem behaviors quite similar to trich in a number of ways. I am referring specifically to compulsive skin picking (also known as Excoriation Disorder) and nail biting (also known as onychophagia). These may not sound serious, but neither does hair-pulling to some people. Since I have met quite a number of people who have one of these problems in addition to trich, I now routinely screen for them.
What I am referring to is not the kind of little bits of rough nail or cuticle that everyone picks at or bites from time to time, nor is it the occasional blemish that people might squeeze or pick. These nail-biters continually bite their nails past the nail bed and their cuticles until they bleed and are constantly walking around with red, sore, and sometimes infected fingers. Those who pick their skin compulsively have their faces and bodies covered, at times, with red sores and scabs known as acne excoriae, a self-inflicted skin disorder that resembles acne. The smallest pimple or blemish must be opened and picked at or squeezed, either with the fingers or another implement such as tweezers, needles, pins, toothpicks, etc. Numerous scars are often the result.
Just as those with trich wear hats, scarves, wigs and makeup, nail-biters keep their hands behind their backs or in their pockets, and skin pickers wear makeup, put on clothing that covers bad areas, apply Band-Aids or just stay indoors when looking their worst. They feel the same shame and social embarrassment and experience that out-of-control feelings at times. They, too, wonder why they can't stop and they also question whether or not they are crazy.
Another similarity between these problems and trichotillomania is that they seem to happen when people are in one of two modes. Some do it in an automatic way, as if they are in a trance and not really thinking about what they are doing. Usually, they are involved in some other activity at the same time such as reading, talking on the phone, working at the computer, watching TV, etc. For others, the deliberate picking or biting is their main activity at the time, and they will frequently interrupt other activities to engage in it.
There is also a strong commonality seen in the various purposes behind these three problems. At the most basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many report an almost uncontrollable feeling of needing to do them. Pulling, picking or biting also seem to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation. When sufferers feel stressed, doing these things has a kind of soothing effect on their nervous systems, and reduces levels of stimulation. On the other hand, when they are bored or inactive, they seems to provide a needed level of stimulation to the nervous system. This probably accounts for why so many people who dislike doing them find it so hard to stop. It simply "feels good" at the time, no matter what the consequences. These behaviors may really be all about self-regulation in certain individuals whose nervous system may not be doing a very good job of regulating itself (see the article "A Sensory Regulation Theory of Trichotillomania," on this website).
Another factor also seems to be at work for a subgroup of people. This involves a kind of compulsive perfectionism. Some hair-pullers must pull "special" hairs that feel "different" or as if they don't belong due to their look or feel. In the same way, nail-biters will often try to bite off rough-feeling or broken bits of cuticle or nail sticking out in order to make their nails feel smooth and look "perfect" or regular. Skin-pickers will stand for hours in front of mirrors closely examining their faces or other body areas for the tiniest bump, irregularity or enlarged pore and then try to eliminate it, or drain it, in hopes of achieving a 'perfectly' clear complexion. Paradoxically, all of those who pursue such goals always end up looking much worse in spite of their efforts, as a result of the damage that they do to themselves.
What all these similarities seem to point to is that these three behaviors are probably all different aspects of the same problem.Some have theorized that theret may be that the same out-of-control grooming mechanism in the brain underlies them all. My own theory is that there may be some type of dysfunction of a brain mechanism that regulates levels of stimulation within the central nervous system, and that these behaviors represent an attempt to control these internal stimulation levels externally. People seem to pull, pick, or bite when thery are either overstimulated (dus to stress or excitement) or understimulated (due to boredom or inactivity). Many similar behaviors can be observed in animals who are kept in confined or unstimulating environments, or who live in stressful conditions.
There are many that now believe that compulsive hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting form a subgroup of what is becoming known as the Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder Spectrum. OCD has been previously been regarded as only a single disorder. It may in fact represent a range of related disorders, including classic OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Trichotillomania, Onychophagia, Compulsive Skin Picking, Compulsive Nail Biting, and Tourette's Syndrome. A more recent term has been coined for these problems - Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). As with trichotillomania, skin picking and nail biting are considered to originate within the chemistry of the brain, and may well have an underlying genetic cause.
In my own practice, I have seen quite a few hair pullers who also bite their nails and/or pick at their skin. While it has never been surveyed systematically, there may be many out there with multiple symptoms. Interestingly, quite a number of people don't realize that their several problems may be connected until it is pointed out.
As with trich, these other two disorders appear to respond best to behavioral therapy. Medication does not have a very good track record with these problems, and should never be considered an end in itself. Where it can help is in the treatment of other coexisting problems (depression, anxiety, OCD) that contribute to the BFRBs, and can act as a tool to help you to better focus on your therapy. Drugs which remedy these other problems do not work instantly- It may take several weeks before you see any results. They also may not work perfectly. Usually, 60-70% improvement from a medication is considered a good result. The medications mainly used to treat problems accompanying picking or biting problems are the same group as those used for Trich and OCD. This group is made up of the latest and most potent antidepressants, and includes Anafranil, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Serzone and Effexor. Sometimes, these drugs may also be augmented with other medications, most often small amounts of the same medications used to treat schizophrenia. These would include Risperdal, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Geodon, and Abilify. Please note that this does not imply that people with BFRBs are in any way psychotic. Keep in mind that no one drug is best, since there is no drug works for everyone. You have to work your way through them in a trial-and-error way, until you find the one that is most effective for you. One further caution on medications is that they do not necessarily work for everyone.
Another option might be to try the B-vitamin inositol. I have seen this work in a number of cases. It seems to reduce the urge to pull or pick. It is broken down by the body into two secondary neurotransmitter chemicals that enhance the activity of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin, is a brain transmitter that may be implicated in OCD and related disorders. Inositol is usually taken in large quantities, but will not build up to toxic levels in your system, as it is a water soluble vitamin. Side effects can include gas and diarrhea, but usually, they will either quickly pass, or not occur at all. The vitamin is taken in powered form, and is built up to a maximum dosage of 18 grams over a six week period. Some people require the maximum, but some can get by with less. (You can get more detailed information about this in another article listed on this website. The title is "Inositol and Trichotillomania.") Inositol can also be safely used to augment antidepressant medication. The only exception is that it cannot be taken together with Lithium. Children generally take smaller doses than adults.
Therapy for these disorders consists of what is coming to be known as Comprehensive Behavioral Therapy (the ComB Model). It aims to identify all the various inputs and triggers that can influence and stimulate picking and biting, and then seeks to eliminate, modify, or find non-destructive substitutes for them. It can be extremely useful if practiced daily and stubbornly, as it must become as automatic as the habits you are aiming to eliminate. BFRBs are stubborn problems for two reasons. First, you have probably rehearsed the unwanted behaviors hundreds or even thousands of times. It is important to accept that they will not simply be overcome in a few days or weeks. Second, you are fighting the fact that they feel good to do, and provide much short range satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing. It takes time and a good deal of effort to master, but I believe it is worth it. Research is beginning to show the ComB approach to be an effective one.
Even if you have more than one of these problems, don't despair. They can be overcome if you have the motivation. More important is learning to "de-stigmatize" yourself. You are not crazy, helpless, morally weak or totally out of control, even though you may feel like some or all of these things at times. Once you get down to realizing that you are just a person who simply happens to have a problem, you can start to make some serious progress. Skin picking and nail biting are chronic problems, so there currently isn't a 'cure', but you can find a recovery if you are willing to work at it.