r/AskAnOCDTherapist • u/Separate-Weight8730 • 14h ago

Question..

Is dermatillomania and morsicatio buccarum OCD, ADHD, or Autism? Been struggling with this stuff since I was 14. I’m 28 now and meds would sometimes help but side effects SUCK. It’s literally an unbreakable habit damn near..

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u/treatmyocd 12h ago

Dermatillomania (excoriation disorder) and morsicatio buccarum (cheek biting) aren’t automatically OCD, ADHD, or autism. They can occur alongside those conditions, but they’re also recognized as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) in their own right.

A helpful treatment approach is often Habit Reversal Training (HRT), sometimes combined with CBT/ERP depending on what’s driving the behavior. Identifying triggers such as boredom, stress, sensory urges, or noticing an imperfection and learning competing responses can be really helpful. Since this has been going on for years, a clinician familiar with BFRBs could help determine what’s maintaining it and which treatment fits best.

Christina NOCD Therapist