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