Comorbid Conditions Symptom Tests

[Self-Test] Skin-Picking Disorder (Dermatillomania) Symptoms

“Do I have dermatillomania?” Take this self-test to see if you may be showing signs of skin-picking disorder.

By ADDitude Editors Verified Medically reviewed by Suzanne Mouton-Odum, Ph.D. Reviewed on September 7, 2023
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Skin-picking disorder, also known as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania, is one of the most common body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Individuals with this condition recurrently pick at their skin, often from multiple sites of the body, including the face, arms, and/or fingers/hands. Skin picking results in lesions, which many individuals attempt to conceal with clothing and/or makeup. Skin-picking disorder affects about 5% of people, and often occurs with conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD.1 2 Trichotillomania (i.e., hair-pulling disorder) is also commonly found with skin-picking disorder.1

Skin-picking disorder, if untreated, can cause significant distress and impact an individual’s functioning in multiple areas of life, from work and social activities. The condition can also lead to complications like scarring, infection, and tissue damage.

Take this self-test to see if you may be showing signs of excoriation disorder. Share the results with a licensed clinician and/or mental health professional. Regardless of your score, tell your doctor if you are engaging in BFRBs, no matter the severity of the behaviors.

This self-test, drafted by ADDitude editors, is based on criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This self-test is designed to screen for the possibility of excoriation disorder (skin-picking disorder), and it is intended for personal use only. This self-test is not intended as a diagnostic tool.

I recurrently pick at my skin — on my face, arms, hands, and/or other parts of my body.

I bite my nails, cuticles, or other skin on my body.

My skin picking results in lesions.

I often think about picking and/or resisting urges to pick at my skin.

Anxiety and boredom often precede my skin-picking episodes.

I am specific about the skin I pick at (e.g., I search for a scab to pull).

I examine, play with, and/or swallow the skin after it’s been pulled.

I feel an increasing sense of tension before picking at my skin or when resisting the urge to pick.

I feel a sense of pleasure, gratification, or relief after picking at my skin.

Skin irregularities (like acne), bumps, or scabs often trigger picking.

I am often not even aware that I am picking

I avoid picking my skin in the presence of others.

I tell myself that I have to cut down on or stop skin picking.

Skin picking or its results often cause me significant distress.

I avoid work, school, social settings, and other public situations because of my skin picking/lesions.

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Skin Picking Disorder: Next Steps

View Article Sources

1 Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2022). Characteristics of 262 adults with skin picking disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 117, 152338. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152338

2 Golomb RG, Franklin ME, Grant JE, et al. (2016) Expert consensus treatment guidelines: body-focused repetitive behaviors. Hair pulling, skin picking, and related disorders. The TLC Foundation for BFRBs. https://global-uploads.webflow.com/626958af73c43200cd878b35/62f551b797e279202e49d315_Expert_Consensus_Treatment_Guidelines_2016w.pdf