Types of BFRBs
BFRBs can show up in different ways, but they all involve repetitive, body-focused behaviors.
Some are more widely recognized, while others are less talked about but just as real.
While each behavior looks different, many share common patterns.
Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)
Repetitive pulling of hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body.
It may involve focusing on specific hairs or areas, and can lead to noticeable thinning or patches of missing hair.
Skin Picking (Excoriation)
Repetitive picking, scratching, or touching of the skin, often focused on small imperfections or irregularities.
It may involve returning to the same areas or moving between different spots in an attempt to smooth or improve the skin, or may happen automatically during stress, boredom, or periods of focus.
Cheek & Lip Biting (Morsicatio Buccarum)
Repetitive biting of the inside of the cheeks or lips, often referred to as “cheek chewing.”
It can create areas that feel uneven or irregular, which may increase the urge to continue biting in an attempt to create a smoother surface. Some people may find themselves focusing on the same area repeatedly.
Other BFRBs
There are several other body-focused repetitive behaviors that involve biting, picking, chewing, or pulling.
Select a behavior below to better understand how it shows up and how it can feel.
-
Repetitive biting of the nails or surrounding skin, often focused on the fingers or cuticles.
It may involve biting specific areas or attempting to smooth or remove perceived imperfections.
-
Repetitive picking, pulling, or tearing at the nails or cuticles.
It may involve focusing on specific areas or reacting to rough, uneven, or irregular parts of the nail.
-
Repetitive biting or chewing of the skin, most commonly around the fingers or hands.
It may involve focusing on specific areas of skin or repeatedly returning to the same spot.
-
Repetitive chewing, swallowing, or eating of hair, often after it has been pulled.
It may involve placing hair in the mouth for sensory stimulation and either accidentally or intentionally swallowing it.
Note: Swallowing hair can sometimes lead to a serious condition called a trichobezoar (a hairball in the digestive system). If you experience stomach pain, vomiting, or other digestive symptoms, seek medical attention.
-
Repetitive cutting or shaving of one’s hair, often using scissors or razors, even when there is no clear need to do so.
It may involve repeatedly trimming or removing hair in specific areas, which can lead to uneven, shortened, or shaved sections of hair.
-
Repetitive chewing or biting of the tongue, often focused on specific areas.
It may involve returning to spots that feel sore, rough, or different in texture, drawing attention back to the same area.
-
Repetitive playing with, twisting, or manipulating hair.
It may involve focusing on specific strands or repeatedly returning to the same sections of hair.
-
Additional repetitive behaviors that may not fit into a single category but still involve focused interaction with the body.
They can include combinations of picking, biting, pulling, or manipulating behaviors that serve similar functions, such as managing tension or responding to physical sensations.
These behaviors are more common than people realize.
They’re not random, and they’re not simply “bad habits.”
They often follow patterns and serve a purpose, even if it doesn’t feel that way.