Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRB) are, as the name implies, repetitive and unwanted actions a person performs on their body as part of an anxious cycle they become stuck in.
The most common ones are skin picking and hair pulling, but other behaviours such as nail biting or eating hair can also become compulsive in response to anxiety.
Also known as habit disorders, they can be very debilitating and distressing, and people who struggle with them might hide their condition for years due to embarrassment and lack of understanding. Even though these seem to be very prevalent – around 5% of the population or more – many professionals are unaware of the conditions and of the fact that there is successful treatment and support available for people struggling with them.
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