Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

BFRBs are repetitive self-grooming behaviors that involve pulling, picking, biting, or scraping parts of the body, often resulting in physical damage. They can feel difficult to control and are often used—consciously or unconsciously—driven by urges, tension, boredom, or emotional distress, and may provide temporary relief or satisfaction to regulate stress, anxiety, boredom, or sensory discomfort. BFRBs are not simply “bad habits” but are mental health conditions that can cause significant distress or impairment.

Common body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) include:

• Hair pulling (trichotillomania)

• Skin picking (excoriation/dermatillomania)

• Nail biting (Onychophagia)

• Nail picking (Onychotillomania)

• Cheek biting (Morsicatio buccarum)

• Lip biting (Lip bite keratosis)

• Teeth grinding (bruxism)

• Cuticle picking

• Nose picking

• Skin biting

• Tongue chewing

I offer specialized online therapy to help adults reduce urges, manage triggers, and build compassionate coping strategies.