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What is dermatillomania? Miss America Emma Broyles talks mental health
During her interview segment, Miss America 2022 winner Emma Broyles revealed she suffers from dermatillomania, but what exactly is the condition?
Miss Alaska, Emma Broyles, made history as the first contestant from the state to win the Miss America pageant.
Streamed exclusively on Peacock, the 20-year-old showed off her singing talents, but it was her passionate answer during the interview segment of the competition that presented her as down to earth and relatable.
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What did Emma Broyles say about mental health?
The pageant queen wanted to show women that Miss America participants aren’t perfect despite the glitz and glam of the industry.
“I want to show people that I’m just like everybody else. People tend to put Miss America and Miss America titleholders up on this pedestal,” she told Insider.
“I think in that sense it kind of puts Miss America in this box that’s put aside from the rest of society. One thing I’ve really tried to do as Miss Alaska is show people I am real. I have flaws. I have ADHD. I have dermatillomania.”
“I’ve struggled with all of these things and, because of that, I am a better person,” Broyles added. During covid, it was an incredibly difficult time for me, being isolated in my college dorm for so long. It was that point when I hit rock bottom when I realised I can be so much more than that.
“A lot of people don’t recognise their low points are what’s going to propel them into their future.
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What is dermatillomania?
Dermatillomania is an obsessive-compulsive disorder also known as excoriation disorder. Traits include chronic skin-picking, where a sufferer repeatedly picks at their own skin, causing lesions and cuts.
People who struggle with this condition rub, dig and scratch their skin in an attempt to ‘perfect’ or ‘smooth’ perceived imperfections such as moles, freckles, scabs and scars.
Dermatillomania comes under the category of body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), where people pull and pick their hair, skin or nails, creating damage to the body.
Excoriation can be caused by an infection or injury that creates a scab, prompting a sufferer to pick it until it bleeds, forming a new wound. It becomes a cycle and the behaviour becomes a habit.
Dermatillomania can also be caused by stress and mental health conditions, where people revert to skin-picking to relieve anxiety. The disorder can result in further emotional distress since sufferers feel self-conscious about their damaged skin.
What are the cures for dermatillomania?
Doctors may refer sufferers to dermatologists to inspect the damaged skin. Meanwhile, therapy can be a helpful measure to tackle the tendency as a whole via habit reversal training.
The training considers the mental cause of the disorder and helps sufferers become aware of when the picking occurs.
Other ways to help throughout the process of dermatillomania include:
- Keeping the hands busy using a stress ball or wearing gloves to minimise injuries
- Caring for the skin if injuries occur, for example moisturising
- Keeping the skin clean to avoid infection
- If comfortable, telling friends and relatives so they can tell you when youre picking
Although these are just suggestions, it is always best to speak to a medical professional as soon as possible. You can also visit this site that could offer some help.
