Ester used to pick at mosquito bites when she was younger and found that it made her feel better. When her parents divorced, she began picking at her arm, causing it to break open and bleed. She would then pick at the scabs, preventing them from healing properly. Now she finds that she engages in this behavior automatically when she is nervous about something. What would be her likely diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ester's behavior of picking at her skin, causing it to break open and bleed, and then continuing to pick at the scabs, preventing proper healing is characteristic of excoriation disorder (also known as skin picking disorder). This disorder often involves automatic or compulsive behavior and is often triggered by stress or anxiety. Body dysmorphic disorder involves excessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's appearance, trichotillomania involves pulling out one's hair, and delusional disorder involves persistent false beliefs that are not based in reality. These do not appear to fit Ester's symptoms.

Ester Used to Pick at Mosquito Bites When She Was