The Science Behind Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, and Other Repetitive Behaviors episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 26, 2026 · 39 MIN

The Science Behind Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, and Other Repetitive Behaviors

from Get to know OCD

Hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting — these aren’t just “bad habits.” They’re known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), and for many people, they feel nearly impossible to stop. But it is possible, and there’s actually research to prove it. Dr. Jamie Feusner and Clare Beatty have studied BFRB, and they’re here to break down what the science shows. They explain why these behaviors develop, why they can feel automatic and hard to control, and how evidence-based treatment like habit reversal training (HRT) has been proven to be so effective at minimizing the behaviors.At NOCD, we specialize in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective treatment for OCD—a treatment that can help you live a fulfilling life. If you’re ready to take your first step, book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 26, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Science Behind Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, and Other Repetitive Behaviors

0:00 39:50

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Get to know OCD?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this Get to know OCD episode published?

This episode was published on March 26, 2026.

Can I download this Get to know OCD episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!