American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

Excoriation disorder, also known as skin-picking disorder, is characterized by recurrent skin-picking that leads to noticeable skin lesions. Individuals with this disorder frequently pick at their skin, often in response to feelings of tension or anxiety, and may find temporary relief from these feelings through the act of picking. The behavior can result in significant skin damage and can cause distress, leading to social or functional impairment.

This disorder is classified under the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders in the DSM-5. It shares some features with obsessive-compulsive disorder, particularly in terms of compulsive behaviors aimed at managing distress, but the specific behavior and outcomes distinctly align with excoriation disorder. The other options, while they may involve compulsive behaviors, do not specifically encompass the act of skin-picking and its resultant lesions. For example, trichotillomania involves hair pulling and body dysmorphic disorder primarily centers on concerns about perceived physical flaws unrelated to skin-picking.