If you’re struggling with skin picking, hair pulling, or similar behaviors, you’re not alone.

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) affect millions of people, but they are often misunderstood and hard to talk about.

We’re here to help you understand what’s happening and connect you with real support.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Many people living with BFRBs feel stuck in a cycle, wanting to stop, not understanding why it’s happening, and feeling frustrated or ashamed when it continues.

It can feel confusing, isolating, and hard to explain.

But this is something you can begin to understand and there are ways to move forward with the right support.

What are BFRBs?

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are a group of conditions that involve repeated actions like skin picking, hair pulling, and cheek or lip biting.

These behaviors are very difficult to control.

These behaviors are not simply “bad habits.” They are often connected to underlying emotional or neurological factors and can cause real distress, especially when people feel ashamed or unsure of how to talk about them.

With the right understanding and support, people can learn to manage these behaviors and move toward recovery.

Common BFRBs

BFRBs can look different from person to person, but some of the most common include:

Hair Pulling

Pulling hair from the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes, sometimes leading to noticeable thinning or bald spots.

Trichotillomania

Skin Picking

Picking at the skin (often the face, arms, or scalp), which can lead to irritation, wounds, or scarring.

Excoriation Disorder

Onychophagia

Nail Biting

Biting nails or the surrounding skin, often tied to stress, anxiety, or difficulty sitting still.

Morsicatio buccarum

Cheek Biting

Biting the inside of the cheeks or lips, often during stress or deep concentration, sometimes without realizing it.

How We Help

Support for BFRBs should be clear, accessible, and helpful.

We make it easier to understand what’s happening and take the next step towards real support.

Education

Learn what BFRBs are, why they happen, and how they show up in your daily life.

Community

Connect with people who understand what you're going through.

Access to Care

Find providers who understand BFRBs and know how to help.