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Compulsive scratching. Can we overcome it?

Compulsive scratching. Can we overcome it?

Our skin itches for various reasons. We rarely perceive it as an anomaly – we think of it more as a temporary state. As it turns out, compulsive scratching can in some cases be a disorder. We asked Dr Katarzyna Prochowicz from the JU Institute of Psychology to elaborate on this subject.




Pathological scratching was first described in the 19th century. Today, it’s officially recognised as a disorder. ‘To declare that a specific case of scratching is a disorder, it has to happen repeatedly. There are people who admit to nearly constant scratching. This results in skin damage, scarring, discolouration, or even wounds’, said Dr Katarzyna Prochowicz in an interview for PAP Nauka w Polsce. When someone suffers from chronic itching, they frequently experience periods during which they’re able to refrain from scratching. These periods can last from several days to several months, and are related to the biological state of the organism, e.g. remission or exacerbation of the symptoms during pregnancy.

Can we overcome it?

It’s very difficult to fully control scratching. Such attempts usually result in failure, which in turn discourages people from trying to repeat them. ‘It’s better to set more realistic goals, like allowing ourselves to scratch less visible areas, while refraining from doing it to our faces, necks or hands, so our appearance is less affected by our behaviour’, Dr Prochowicz explained.

The problem is, in most cases people scratch themselves unconsciously while doing something else (reading a book, talking on the phone, driving a car), which decreases their control over the habit. Furthermore, some people report that even if they’re doing it on purpose, they behave as if they were entranced – they can’t stop until they remove all scaliness or roughness from their skin.

To successfully quit compulsive scratching, we must first start to observe our behaviour to determine which situations elicit it. Once we have that knowledge, we can try to avoid potentially ‘dangerous’ circumstances and in this way reduce the probability of it happening.

‘A research study on a group of 534 Kraków students shows that scratching is a fairly popular phenomenon, present in nearly half of the tested volunteers (46%). Most of them, however, do it only occasionally and are not related to any psychological or physiological disorders, meaning that they don’t cause any difficulties in everyday life. Nevertheless, 7.7% admitted that they scratch their skin with such frequency and intensity that they damage their skin and disturb their routines. What separates Polish students from their foreign colleagues is their conviction that they should be able to overcome it themselves instead of seeking the help of a therapist’, added Dr Prochowicz.

Psychology vs. physiology

It’s not entirely clear to what degree is scratching caused by psychological or biological factors. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) lists pathologic skin picking as mental and behavioural disorder. People suffering from compulsive scratching frequently state that they start doing it when they’re stressed. Difficult situations in life, such as moving, family problems or exams are usually mark the onset of the disorder.

In the ICD-10 classification, stress is an important psychological factor when it comes to compulsive scratching. However, there are other theories. ‘Modern research on this subject (including the study conducted on Polish students) shows that many of the people who compulsively scratch their skin aren’t stressed when they start doing it, and the scratching itself brings them no relief’, said Dr Prochowicz.

A lot of studies suggest that the phenomenon may be of genetic origin. It’s estimated that about 30–40% of people suffering from compulsive scratching has a first-degree relative that has the same disorder. Similarly, their family members are more likely to suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

How can we help?

Family members and close friends should remember that for the person suffering from compulsive scratching, the habit is extremely difficult to overcome. They shouldn’t expect any immediate results, but rather a slow and challenging process. It’s common for family members to frown upon and discourage scratching. While they almost always have good intentions, it may lead to tensions and conflicts.

‘In our studies, we’ve found out that a lot of people are met with lack of understanding from their family members, and even ignorance from their doctors. Dermatologists usually disregard the issue, believing it to be a symptom of an infection that can be treated medically’, said Dr Prochowicz.

Original text: www.nauka.uj.edu.pl

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