How to Stop Skin Picking with Hypnosis

Approximately 1 in 20 people suffer from excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder. While many people have difficulty breaking a habit like nail biting, skin picking, can in some cases, be a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Regardless of whether it’s habitual, or a compulsive urge of repetitive behavior, you can stop skin picking with hypnosis.

Causes

A skin picking disorder can be caused by picking at a skin irritation or injury that results in a scab. The more the scab is picked the more the area becomes itchy. This leads to more picking and scratching. Alternatively, stress and anxiety can unconsciously trigger skin picking to relieve stress. It is a strategy of distraction where patients can easily lose track of time. Either way skin picking becomes an unconscious habit that can lead to unsightly scars. The unsightly scars can in some cases, cause patients to avoid activities where the scars are visible.

Traditional Treatment 

There are two primary forms of skin picking disorder treatment. Mental health care professionals will often suggest stress relief methods to overcome the habit. These can include rubber bands and stress balls to name a few. Alternately, spiky sensory rings as well as gloves can help to overcome the urge to pick. Essentially these strategies provide either an alternative stress relief tool or a barrier to remind the patient not to pick at their skin.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotic trance, which is often perceived incorrectly as mind control, is extremely effective in curbing skin picking disorder. Hypnotic trance is a calm and relaxing state where the patient is extremely attentive and aware. Trance provides access to the unconscious mind, which can be programmed to overcome excoriation. Contrary to popular belief, patients remember most of what has transpired during the session.

Stop Skin Picking with Hypnosis

It is well documented that hypnotherapy is effective in overcoming habits like nail biting, smoking, and overeating. Hypnosis is extremely effective in treating skin picking disorder because it addresses stress and anxiety and can train the inner mind to overcome a variety of habits. Skin picking is often a learned strategy triggered by a stressful event. After being guided into hypnotic trance, the stressful experience can be uncovered and redefined. Once reframed the habit can be easily overcome.

Scientific data

Hair pulling, also known as trichotillomania, is very similar to skin picking disorder. Both trichotillomania and excoriation disorder involve a subconscious urge to pull, or pick brought on by stress and anxiety. A scientific study demonstrated that hypnosis was effective in treating trichotillomania. Not only did the study show that hairpulling was dramatically decreased but the improvement was sustained. 

Ultimately, skin picking is simply a symptom of a much deeper problem. Hypnotherapy for skin picking addresses the underlying issue. By treating the anxiety or stress, patients can live a more relaxed and comfortable life. If you, or someone in your life, struggles with skin picking disorder, hypnotherapy may be able to help. No one should have to hide their scars when they can stop skin picking with hypnosis.