Jan 27
This week's topic is all about Repetitive Body Focused Behaviors (RBFBs). RBFBs are related to self-grooming, anxiety management and/or sensory stimulation. The most common BFRBs are trichotillomania (hair pulling, eyelashes), dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nail biting), dermatophagia (skin biting), teeth grinding (bruxism), tongue biting (morsicatio linguarum). They are complex conditions that cause people to repeatedly touch their hair and body in ways that result in physical damage.
Learn why: It’s so hard to stop these behaviors. These behaviors normally begin when ADHD predisposes us to RBFBs Perfectionism may play a role in RBFBs ADHD medication may make RBFBs worse RBFBs may elevate our dopamine levels. Learn what: Condition RBFBB is normally associated with Percent of the members of our FB group having RBFB. It’s very surprising what Members say about their own RBFBs. What can you do to stop or at a minimum lessen these RBFBs? Amino acid supplements may help Workarounds have made a difference to our members.
APPLE
SPOTIFY
YOUTUBE
"Look, when I heard that this is an ADHD thing. I have to tell you, I literally thought you have got to be kidding me. Is there anything else that ADHD can throw at us?"
- Tracy Otsuka
"Since I was a kid, I have struggled with a number of repetitive body focused behaviors, or they call them are the F B's."
- Tracy Otsuka
"I bit my nails as a child. And as I grew into a teenager, I stopped biting my nails."
- Tracy Otsuka
- Tracy discusses various compulsive behaviors, including hair pulling and skin picking, which can lead to physical damage and stomach problems.
- 77% of women in a Facebook group for ADHD struggled with body-focused repetitive behaviors, including skin picking and nail biting.
- Tracy and others share their experiences with skin picking and other habits, such as nail biting, hair twirling, and teeth clicking, which they find difficult to stop despite medication.
[07:36 - 12:15] Managing Repetitive Body-Focused Behaviors in Individuals with ADHD
- Tracy shares her personal struggle with repetitive body focused behaviors (BFBs), including biting her fingers, and how they worsen when she drinks coffee.
- Tracy believes that BFBs are linked to ADHD impulsivity and the brain's response to stimuli, including elevated dopamine levels.
- Tracy seeks strategies to reduce repetitive body focus behaviors, including Habit Reversal Training and cognitive behavioral therapy.
[12:15 - 24:19] ADHD and Skin-Picking Habits
- Tracy suggests alternatives to repetitive body focus behaviors, such as bubble wrap or fidget toys, to help manage stress and anxiety.
- Tracy also experiences premenstrual hormone-related acne, which she manages by being consistent with her skincare routine and avoiding picking at her skin.
- Tracy shares her experience with ADHD, including difficulty with self-soothing and a race against time to heal before picking at sore spots.
