How is dermatillomania treated, and is there a cure?

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How is dermatillomania treated, and is there a cure?

Treating dermatillomania usually involves a combination of medication and therapy. Research shows that combining the two tends to help more than just one type of treatment alone.

Medications

The most common medications that healthcare providers prescribe to help treat this condition include:

  • Antidepressants. The most likely medications for this are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • Anticonvulsants. Lamotrigine is a medication that helps with uncontrollable muscle movements. Research shows it can help in some cases of dermatillomania.
  • Antipsychotics. These medications help by modifying the balance in your brain chemistry. These medications commonly treat many conditions like dementia, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Researchers are also continuing to look into how they can help treat conditions like dermatillomania.
  • Nutraceuticals. These are nutrition-related products that can also affect medical or mental health conditions. For dermatillomania, research has found that the amino acid supplement N-acetylcysteine can help reduce the urge to pick.

Therapies

Psychotherapy can help treat this condition in various ways, depending on the therapy method used.

  • Habit reversal therapy. This method involves helping you become more aware of your behaviors and activity patterns. By helping you become more aware, this therapy teaches you to break habits like skin picking.
  • Group therapy and peer support. People with dermatillomania may benefit from specific types of group therapy or support.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method involves teaching coping mechanisms and strategies to help change behavior.
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy. This therapy method helps people change behaviors like skin picking by accepting negative feelings that fuel the behavior. Mindfulness and other positive coping mechanisms also play a role.

People with severe damage to their skin or their tissue underneath may need additional medical treatment and care. Your healthcare provider is the best person to explain the treatments they recommend, which might include surgery and skin grafting, antibiotics and more.

Complications/side effects of the treatment

The possible side effects and complications depend on the circumstances, the severity of your condition and other factors. Your healthcare provider is the best source of information about what you should expect or watch for because they can tailor the information to your specific case.

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