Understanding Skin Picking Disorder: Mental Health Challenges and Hypnotherapy as a Solution

What is Skin Picking Disorder?

Skin Picking Disorder (SPD), also known as excoriation disorder, is a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) characterized by compulsive skin picking. It affects millions of people worldwide and is often linked to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and other mental health challenges. Individuals with SPD frequently experience shame, embarrassment, and difficulty in social settings due to visible skin damage and the emotional toll of the condition.

The Mental Health Challenges of Skin Picking Disorder

Living with SPD presents unique mental health struggles, including:

• Anxiety and Stress: Many individuals use skin picking as a coping mechanism for anxiety, stress, or emotional distress.
• Obsessive Thoughts and Urges: SPD shares similarities with OCD, as individuals feel an overwhelming urge to pick their skin despite negative consequences.
• Low Self-Esteem and Shame: Visible skin damage can lead to social withdrawal, feelings of shame, and a negative self-image.
• Depression and Emotional Distress: Many people with SPD experience frustration, guilt, and hopelessness when attempts to stop picking fail.

Practical Solutions for Managing Skin Picking Disorder

While there is no single cure for SPD, a combination of therapies and self-care strategies can help individuals regain control.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This evidence-based approach helps individuals identify triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and reframe negative thought patterns.
2. Mindfulness and Meditation: Mindfulness practices increase awareness of urges, allowing individuals to interrupt the cycle of compulsive picking.
3. Fidget Tools and Barriers: Using fidget toys, gloves, or bandages can help redirect the urge to pick.
4. Hypnotherapy: A lesser-known but highly effective method that addresses the subconscious triggers behind skin picking.

Hypnotherapy for Skin Picking Disorder

Hypnotherapy is an alternative treatment that helps individuals access the subconscious mind, where compulsive behaviors often originate. Through guided relaxation and suggestions, hypnotherapy can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety that trigger picking episodes.
• Increase self-awareness and control over urges.
• Reprogram subconscious beliefs and responses related to skin picking.
• Improve self-esteem and confidence in one’s ability to manage the disorder.

Common Objections to Hypnotherapy (And Why They’re Misconceptions)

Despite its effectiveness, many people hesitate to try hypnotherapy due to misconceptions. Here are some common objections and why they shouldn’t hold you back:

1. “I’m afraid of losing control.”
   
   • Hypnotherapy does not involve mind control. You remain aware and in control throughout the session.
2. “It won’t work for me.”
   
   • Everyone responds differently, but research supports hypnotherapy’s effectiveness for breaking compulsive behaviors.
3. “Hypnosis is just a placebo.”
   
   • While mindset plays a role, clinical studies show that hypnotherapy can create measurable changes in behavior and thought patterns.
4. “I don’t believe in hypnosis.”
   
   • Hypnosis is a scientifically recognized therapeutic tool used by trained professionals in medical and psychological fields.

Case Study for Treatment of Skin picking with Hypnotherapy

I have treated several clients with the issue of skin picking in my practice. I will cite an example of my former client who came to me for treatment of skin picking.

Hypnosis works very well to address skin picking. I worked with a 26 year old, female client who came with the presenting problem of skin picking a few years ago. She had multiple scars on her face, neck, hands, back and legs. Some of the scars were not healed as she would peel the scabs as soon as the healing began. Her Primary Care Doctor referred her to me for hypnotherapy.

I did an intake and developed a comprehensive treatment plan for her. The client presented with typical symptoms of OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Low self-esteem and Depression.
It was so important to address the GAD, OCD symptoms and Depression before doing the skin picking issue.

I gave her sessions like Unwanted Thoughts Relaxation, Worrying, Blow away stress, Stress Management and Anxiety release to help her learn Anxiety management techniques. Once the client could control the anxiety, she could stop herself from skin picking. She successfully learned to manage her thoughts by using a variety of hypnotic tools like visualizations and anchors.

Thereafter, I worked on her Depression by giving her sessions on Depression Relaxation, Silver Sack Negativity, White light relaxation, Positive thinking, Combination – depression and anxiety, Negativity release, Release of Negative emotions and many more.

The client started to use the hypnotic anchors and visualizations for managing depressive thoughts. She was eventually able to manage uncontrollable urges to pick her skin when feeling depressed and sad.
After treating Depression, I worked on her OCD and used scripts like OCD 3, Mind clutter, Obsessive behavior, OCD relaxation, Stop overthinking, OCD balloon, and many more.

Subsequently, I did a session specifically on skin picking in which effective suggestions and visualizations were offered to help her reduce skin picking.

With the help of above scripts administered during hypnotic trance, the client learned how to relax and instead of picking up skin, she indulged in multiple distraction techniques.

She developed very good self control. As a result, the reported frequency and intensity of skin picking began to diminish significantly. She was able to stop skin picking by using the hypnotic techniques and anchors she learned in her live sessions.

In conclusion, hypnosis is a viable treatment modality to address skin picking. It’s very safe, noninvasive and effective and I have treated skin picking problems of multiple clients in my practice with great outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Skin Picking Disorder is a challenging condition, but individuals don’t have to face it alone. Combining traditional therapies with innovative approaches like hypnotherapy can empower people to regain control and improve their mental well-being. If you or someone you know struggles with SPD, exploring all available options—including hypnotherapy—could lead to meaningful relief and recovery.

Would you like to learn more about how hypnotherapy can help with compulsive behaviors? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Contact us for a free consultation. Not ready to schedule an appointment? Learn how self-hypnosis can start your recovery from PTSD and depression.