What Are BFRBs?
Simple definition
Examples (hair pulling, skin picking, etc.)
“Not self-harm” clarification
Normalize experience
BFRBs can show up in different ways—and many people experience more than one.
Types of BFRB’s
List as: Core Types (Primary cards or sections)
Hair Pulling
Skin Picking
Nail Biting
Cheek & Lip Biting
Additional / Less Talked About (sub-section)
👉 Label it something like:
“Other Common BFRBs”
or
“Other Forms of BFRBs”
Then include:
Nose picking
Hair-focused behaviors
Skin-focused variations
Break it down clearly
Hair pulling (trichotillomania)
Skin picking (excoriation)
Nail biting
Cheek/lip biting
Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania)
Skin Picking (Excoriation)
Nail Biting (Onychophagia)
Cheek / Lip Biting (Morsicatio)
Nose Picking (Rhinotillexomania)
Skin Picking Variants
Scab picking
Cuticle picking
Acne picking
don’t need separate categories—just examples under skin picking)
Hair-related behaviors beyond pulling - Hair playing / rubbing / twirling, Trichophagia (hair eating)
Other body-focused habits (Skin rubbing Scratching (non-itch related)
Why do BFRBs happen?
Emotional regulation
Sensory component
Habit loops
Genetics / biology
“This is not your fault”
Common myths
“It’s just a bad habit” ❌
“You can just stop” ❌
“It’s self-harm” ❌
Signs & Impact
Physical signs
Emotional impact
Social effects
Shame / hiding behaviors
What Helps
Include:
Evidence-based approaches (high level)
Therapy types (light mention)
Tools / strategies
⚠️ BUT:
👉 Position as:
“what’s been shown to help”
NOT “what we provide”
For Parents / Loved Ones
How to respond
What NOT to do
How to support