Body-focused repetitive behaviour disorders

Body focused repetitive behaviour disorders are characterized by recurrent and habitual actions directed at the integument (e.g., hair pulling, skin picking, lip-biting), typically accompanied by unsuccessful attempts to decrease or stop the behaviour involved, and which lead to dermatological sequelae (e.g., hair loss, skin lesions, lip abrasions). The behaviour may occur in brief episodes scattered throughout the day or in less frequent but more sustained periods. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

For presentations characterized by recurrent habitual actions directed at the integument other than hair pulling or skin picking that do not fulfil the diagnostic requirements for any other disorder in the Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour Disorders grouping, the following diagnosis may be appropriate:

6B25.Y Other Specified Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour Disorders

Essential (Required) Features:

• Recurrent habitual actions directed at the integument other than hair pulling or skin picking (e.g., lip biting or nail biting),
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop or decrease the behaviour.
• Significant lesions or other impact on appearance resulting from the behaviour.
• The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

General Cultural Considerations for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour Disorders:

• People who may inflict bodily harm to themselves (i.e., self-flagellation or self-cutting) as a part of religious ceremonies should not be assigned this diagnosis.