John V. Scialli, M.D.

I have been treating impulse control disorders (dermatillomania, trichotillomania) and OCD for 30 years. I treat children and adults, both usually in a family context. My approach is to brainstorm with the individual/family, to collaborate in teasing out the very tiny details of the self-damaging behaviors. Then a number of techniques can be employed to alter or interrupt the chain of events before, during or after picking the skin. The disorder primarily erodes motivation to do something else. Once controlled, relapse prevention is very important. (Oh, and the photo was taken many years and many pounds ago.)