Pathological skin picking in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence and clinical correlates of pathological skin picking (PSP) in a large sample of individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).

METHOD: One hundred seventy-six individuals with BDD (71.0% women; mean age, 32.5+/-12.3 years) were assessed with respect to comorbidity, BDD severity, delusionality (insight), quality of life and social/occupational functioning, using reliable and valid measures. All variables were compared in BDD subjects with and without lifetime PSP.

RESULTS

About 44.9% of subjects reported lifetime PSP, and 36.9% reported current PSP secondary to BDD. BDD subjects with PSP were more likely to be female, to have skin preoccupations, to have comorbid trichotillomania or a personality disorder, to camouflage with makeup and to seek and receive nonpsychiatric (e.g., dermatological) treatment for their skin preoccupations.

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence of PSP among individuals with BDD, and clinicians should be aware of the clinical correlates of this problematic behavior.