dermaphotagia

[debbie99]

Dermaphotagia is a compulsive disorder associate with sever trauma, anxiety and depression. have been struggling with dermatophagia for a few years now and it causes lots of embarrassment and makes me uncomfortable. i find it extremely hard to explain it to anyone when they notice my hands and i understand that therapy is the best treatment. i have alot of serious underlying issues with my family, and cannot afford therapy. i was wondering if anyone in here struggles with dermatophagia or has overcome it and has any tips to help combat it without therapy.

[Guest8901]

Dear Debbie,

Welcome to the beyondblue forums. There are many kind and caring members here who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with we fellow members. I'm hoping someone else with greater knowledge of this disorder than me, comes on board to provide further information and suggestions.

In fact, I had never heard of this disorder of dermaphotagia until I just read your post. So I googled it of course! After reading all I could on it, I believe I may struggle with this too. I have been officially diagnosed with PTSD as a consequence of a number of severe traumas. I have also been diagnosed with OCD, which typically develops when trying to cope with severe anxiety disorders.

From what I have just read, dermaphotagia is a form of OCD. But more specifically it is where a person compulsively bites their own skin. Sufferers can feel the pain they inflict on themselves but the feelings of gratification and stress relief prevent them from stopping. Stress and anxiety can trigger the compulsive skin biting.

The compulsion most frequently affects the hands, such as the cuticles and fingers, such as yourself Debbie. However, it may also occur on other parts of the body, such as chronic tongue chewing and chronic lip biting. For me, I have the lip biting thing. I am constantly chewing at my lips, both on the inside (not obvious) as well as the outside. My lips are often left bleeding and sore. Stress levels are a major factor in this disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been know to be effective with this disorder. Usually its done by a psychologist. I understand you do not have the financial means to cover therapy. Would it be possible for you to see your GP and arrange for them to put you on a Mental Health Care Plan which would qualify you for (up to) 10 medicare subsidised psychologist visits per year? You would need to discuss your current issues with your GP in order for him to agree to the MHCP and to refer you to a suitably qualified psychologist. Hopefully one who is familiar with this type of disorder.

I'm sorry I dont have any solutions for you. As I said, this is totally new to me. So I hope someone else will come aboard and offer advice to you. I will be watching with interest for myself as well.

Meanwhile Debbie, why not have a browse of other members threads. Hope to see you around.

Amanda

[Croix]

Dear Debbie99~

I'd like to welcome you here and sympathize with you, while I do not have your particular illness my PTSD, anxiety and bouts of depression have led to habits I've needed to change, pulling my hair being one. No, not all that close to you, but something at least. A search of our Forum for Dermaphotagia did not reveal anything.

Please do not think of me as having any expertise, I'm just going on my experiences. Therapy, as far as I can see tried to do several things:

• Get me to think what my thoughts were when pulling my hair, then try to anticipate htem
• Have an alternative easy unobtrusive action to perform as a substitute (dealer's choice:)
• Talking to someone in your confidence at the exact time the urge is starting

In your case if it is nail-finger biting then perhaps bulky jewellery to remind you as your hand approaches your mouth. 

Plus of course a child's anti thumb sucking or similar bad tasting application to remind you.

I'd stress again that professional medical help to treat the underlying cause is the correct way to go, if nothing else I'd suggest contacting a bulk-billing GP and discussing these and any other options.

Hope this helps

Croix

[Doolhof]

Hi Debbie,

I too welcome you to the forum and the community here. Like Croix I am certainly no expert.

You mentioned you have serious underlying issues with your family and also that affording therapy is difficult for you.

Is it possible for you to talk to your Dr about receiving a Mental Health Care Plan. This will allow you up to 10 Medicare funded sessions with a psychologist. In some cases these may be free, in other situations a low cost fee may be payable.

Trying to sort out the underlying issues may benefit you greatly.

Hopefully chatting here will help in some way!

Cheers to you from Dools

[Ggrand]

Hello Debbie,

Welcome to the forums, we are a kind and caring community..

Deebi, I had to look up dermaphotagio, I didn't know what it was...I like Croix's suggestions very much. about the false nails etc, and do agree that professional help might be needed to help you...

I really can't give much in the way of advise, but I would like to be for you and follow your journey, maybe at times I may be able to help you with some gentle encouragement, care...and a good listening ear..

Be gentle with yourself Debbie, I hope to hear from you on how yore getting on..

Kind thoughts,

Grandy..

[Quercus]

Hi Debbie99 and welcome to the forums,

I didn't really want to reply because your post hit too close to home. But noone else has really said they understand yet so I will have to do for now.

I feel ashamed of my hands too. I've have had a lifetime of being called disgusting even had an ex who would slap my hands whenever I started biting. It made it worse.

Have been put down even by strangers who somehow thought they had the right to comment on my hands.

I bite my nails very badly. As a kid it used to be the skin of my fingers too but I learnt that meant getting told off more than sticking to the nail. I don't even feel it anymore even though people look at my hands and say they must hurt.

So I will put it out there. Please. Please. Don't try acrylic nails. I learnt you can bite through them to rip them off and the damage was really bad. Didn't stop me though.

I'm sure you've tried every single method under the sun as I had. I got used to the taste of the nail polish.

There is hope though. I still bite my nails. But much less violently now. It was a side effect of my meds for depression. My psychiatrist started me on a SSRI which I learnt is also used to manage anxiety. I had lived with anxiety forever and just thought how I was was normal. Until this medication eased some of my anxiety. It was quite a shocking difference to me actually.

Not a perfect fix at all but not a huge cost to see a bulk billing GP and ask if antidepressants prescribed for anxiety may help you get a little control.

I agree with the idea of addressing areas of your life that cause stress however I do believe sometimes medication and a doctors opinion is a solid place to begin.

What do you think? Is this an option you have tried previously?

I do suggest asking at reception (or checking the clinic website) to find which gps have an interest in mental health. I know how scary it feels to permit someone to examine your hands so please shop around for a doctor who understands mental health. Booking a long appointment helps too.

I hope you keep writing to us. I spent most of my life feeling disgusting and ashamed so it is a relief to meet someone who understands.

Nat