Helping Your Child Cope with BFRBs: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Does your child struggle with nail biting, skin picking, or hair pulling? These behaviours may indicate a condition known as Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs). BFRBs are not merely bad habits but compulsive actions that can inflict physical and emotional harm. This blog post is designed to provide parents with essential information on BFRBs, their underlying causes, how to identify them, and, most importantly, how to support your child in their journey towards overcoming these challenges.

Understanding BFRBs

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, or BFRBs, encompass compulsive, body-centric actions such as biting, pulling, picking, or scraping the hair, skin, nails, inner cheeks, lips, or teeth. Surprisingly, BFRBs are highly prevalent, affecting at least 3% of the population, both children and adults.

Importantly, it’s crucial to note that BFRBs are not caused by poor parenting, a lack of willpower, or a desire for attention. They frequently arise as a response to stress, anxiety, boredom, or frustration. Individuals may engage in these behaviours to alleviate negative emotions or regain control. Sometimes, people may not even be conscious of their actions or perform them while engaging in activities like reading or watching television.

The Impact of BFRBs

BFRBs can cause significant physical harm, leading to bleeding, scarring, infection, hair loss, or dental problems. For instance, hair-pulling can result in bald patches or thinning hair, skin-picking can lead to open wounds and scarring, and nail-biting can damage the nail bed or cause infections.

BFRBs can also harm the person’s mental and emotional health, causing them to feel ashamed, guilty, low in self-confidence, isolated from others, or even depressed. People grappling with BFRBs may feel embarrassed about their appearance or behaviour, leading them to avoid social situations or activities that expose their affected areas. This can result in feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

How to Help Your Child with BFRBs

Suppose you suspect your child may be dealing with BFRBs. In that case, the initial step is to engage in a supportive and non-judgmental conversation with them. Let your child know that you care deeply about their well-being and are committed to helping them. It’s crucial to avoid criticism, scolding, or punishment, as these reactions can exacerbate their compulsion to pick or pull.

The subsequent step is to seek professional assistance from a therapist with expertise in BFRBs. Various effective treatments are available, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), and medication. A therapist can guide your child in identifying triggers and patterns of their behaviour and teach them valuable coping strategies and alternative behaviours.

To find a therapist who can help your child with BFRBs, consider these steps:

Begin your search online to locate therapists with experience in BFRBs in your local area, utilizing resources like BFRB.org or Psychology Today to find qualified professionals.Contact potential therapists and inquire about their qualifications, fees, availability, and treatment approach. You can also request a free consultation or seek a referral from your child’s doctor.Select a therapist who aligns with your needs and preferences and arrange an appointment, ensuring you and your child feel comfortable and trust the therapist.Follow the therapist’s recommendations and support your child throughout treatment.

Furthermore, you can contribute to your child’s recovery by fostering a positive and supportive environment at home. Here are some helpful tips:

Encourage your child to express their feelings and listen to them empathetically.Aid your child in discovering constructive ways to manage stress and anxiety, such as physical activity, mindfulness, hobbies, or music.Provide your child with tools and resources to reduce or cease their compulsive behaviour. For example, Fidgetland is a discreet and durable toy brand that can help keep their hands occupied and alleviate stress and anxiety.

Finally, praise your child’s efforts and achievements in overcoming their BFRBs. Take proactive steps to educate yourself and others about these conditions to promote awareness and acceptance.

I hope this blog post has deepened your understanding of BFRBs and how to support your child’s recovery journey. If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments below. Thank you for taking the time to read, and I wish you the best of luck on your path forward.

Sources:

Healthline – “What to Know About Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)”Psychology Today – “Basics of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors”BFRB.org – “Your Journey: What Is a BFRB?”Anxiety and Depression Association of America – “Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors”