Excoriation disorder (also known as
dermatillomania,
skin-picking disorder,
neurotic excoriation,
acne excoriee,
pathologic skin picking (
PSP),
compulsive skin picking (
CSP) or
psychogenic excoriation) is an
impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pick at one's own skin, often to the extent that damage is caused. Research has suggested that the urge to pick is similar to a
body-focused repetitive behavior but others have argued that for some the condition is more akin to a
substance abuse disorder. The two main strategies for treating this condition are pharmacological and behavioral intervention.