Skin picking may also be indicative of a form of perfectionism. People who pick are often fascinated with their body’s condition, and may stand in front of mirrors giving a cursory review of the body for flaws that can be fixed. Strangely, they wind up looking worse, as the skin-picking damages the very thing they were hoping to perfect. This can lead to a vicious cycle of looking for flaws, trying to fix them, and making matters worse.

OBSESSIONS CAN SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL

Obsessive-compulsive disorders are often ritualistic in nature, a persistent, repeated or unwanted urge to keep doing something, even if that behavior causes anxiety or extreme distress. Usually, these emotions arise when stress is present.

Some common obsessions include an extreme aversion to dirt or fear that the surrounding environment is contaminated; the need to have things orderly and symmetrical; a stream of horrific thoughts on harming others or oneself; and unwanted thoughts that may involve sexual compulsions or religious objects.

These behaviors may be manifested in things like skin picking, but can also include an aversion to shaking hands or using things that others have touched (hello, Jerry Seinfeld!); a need to keep checking to make sure the door is locked or the stove is turned off; extreme anxiety when things aren’t in a certain order; thoughts of hurting oneself or others; shouting obscenities or otherwise acting out; and anxiety that causes an individual to avoid common courtesies, such as shaking hands with someone new.

The obsessions and compulsions bring only temporary relief to those who must perform them. There are rules to the game, and not performing things to the exact specifications of the rules will drive the obsessed to manic behaviors that may be unconnected to whatever event is driving the behavior. The compulsions can include excessive washing and cleaning; counting objects; checking on things like windows or doors; a constant need for reassurance; adherence to a strict routine; and a need for order.