#canadianbfrb

[canadianbfrb]

It’s nearly back-to-school time! (For some of our international friends, it’s already begun.) as usual, we’re hoping to have some back-to-school posts rolling out for you and we’re hoping that you’ll contribute. Check out the image for more details. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear from you!

[pirate-patton]

hey, so I just read your explanation about dermatophabia.. I've always done this thing where I chew on the insides of my cheeks and my lips, to the point of bleeding, and I thought there's just something wrong with me but now maybe there's an explanation for it?? do you think you could explain something more about dermatophabia? maybe for example how you can determine if you have it? (you can ignore this ask if you want) -👽♥

Alright, I’m gonna get into actual definitions of things here so bear with me.

“BFRB is an umbrella term for a group of repetitive self-grooming behaviours in which an individual damages their appearance or causes physical injury through pulling, picking, biting or scraping of the hair, skin or nails.” canadianbfrb

They are classified as compulsive disorders (they used to be classified as impulse control disorders) and heavily effect daily work and social life and activities.

Dermatophagia is normal described as “biting the cuticles or fingers, and digesting scabs or skin” HOWEVER, biting the insides of your cheeks and your lips is certainly apart of this disorder’s definition. 

Because of the nature of BFRBs, it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint a reason these disorders happen (they may very well be genetic or environmental, no one is for sure), but we do know that they are compulsive by nature. If you feel the need “fix” you cheeks and lips, or that something is “wrong” with them that needs to be bitten to take care of it, that is when things start to fall into the definition of Bodily Focused Repetitive Behaviors.

Now, looking at bfrb.org, I’m seeing new subdivisions of dermatophagia being put in - lip biting and cheek biting. Both of these still fall under the dermatophagia heading, however they present themselves a little bit differently.

Lip Biting – (lip bite keratosis) involves the repetitive biting of the skin of one’s own lips.

Cheek Biting – (cheek keratosis) involves the chronic destruction of oral mucosa via biting with one’s teeth. This behavior may result in ulcerations, sores, and infections within the oral tissue. Furthermore, repetitive biting in a target area typically leads to the development of white patches of keratosis – a callous-like formation. Cheek and lip biting are estimated to occur in approximately 3% of U.S. adults, with more than half of individuals reporting childhood onset

And bfrb.org has more on Cheek Biting.

These two websites I’ve put links in for were instrumental for me when I first started learning about these disorders. Spend some time on them (especially the second one, but canadianbfrb.org is incredible as well) and you’ll learn a lot. (This goes for anyone thinking they may have a BFRB. New information is constantly being added and new disorders are added under the umbrella all the time).

I hope this helps, dear!

[ethomson92]

@tlcbfrb & @canadianbfrb #BFRBweek is coming up October 1st-7th, and I'm preparing to write about my, in many ways, most successful year of living with #trichotillomania, an anxiety related disorder that causes people to literally pull their hair out when triggered, often due to stress. Primarily, young women have it, but men like me are finding our voices too, so that we can all support each other. I've been able to host two film screenings of the documentary "Trichster" thanks to the filmmakers and the open arms of this Hudson Valley community...and I can't wait to share that exciting story on Canadianbfrb.org. Until then, look around social media (#seemestand) for other posts like this, you may see someone you know, someone who I hope is also feeling 10 feet tall right now #bfrb #trich (at Veterans Memorial Park)

[eastcoastblondeme]

My struggle with Trichotillomania and BFRBs can be found on my blog site TimeToTakTrich.com.

[freeingeileen-blog]

I’M DYING.

[bythepickingofmythumbs]

BFRB Awareness week #this is me

What is your first name? Marianna

Where are you from? British Columbia, Canada

Your hobbies/interests/career?

-Support person for people with special needs and I’m also a medical student. Hobbies are knitting, playing music, swimming and hiking

What BFRB/s do you have? 

-Dermatillomania and trichotillomania, pick the skin on my fingers and pull at my eyebrows

How old you were when your BFRB/s started? 

-Around 4 for picking my own fingers but would pick at my parents fingers when I was even younger. Didn’t start pulling my eyebrows until I was in university

The worst part of having a BFRB? 

-Being scared that I’m going to give myself arthritis since I pick at the joints of my fingers. After I pick at my joints I can barely move my fingers. Also when people ask about the scabs on my fingers. My eyebrow pulling isn’t as severe and so far hasn’t left any missing patches but I’m still scared about people asking about what I’m doing and why.

The best part of having a BFRB? 

-The need for my hands to be constantly doing something has turned me into a prolific knitter :P instead of picking at my skin I try to knit. I’ve also seen other people say that it makes them feel unique and I guess I agree with that as well. I have never met another person who knows they have a BFRB. Probably met some who unknowingly do but that is what the awareness if for. I didn’t realize until I was 22 that other people picked their skin and it was called dermatillomania and not just a bad habit that I could never grow out of. 

[dermatillowhat-blog]

BFRB Awareness Week: Day 4

Onycophagia: Nail Biting

In second grade, my friends and I played together at recess using only our imaginations. Today's scenario was that we were spies needing to bypass a laser security system to escape the building without being caught. However, I was biting my nails. 

"Chrissie, come on! Security is gonna get you!"

"One second," I mumble, chewing vigorously on, and then eating my nails, a compulsive behavior I simply thought of as a bad habit.

That Christmas, my father called me "sausage fingers". It hurt.

Soon after, I quit simply by wearing clear nail polish, but only recently did  realize that I've been acquainted with BFRBs since childhood. Similar to derma or trich, onycophagia robs one of experiencing life. People become isolated in a world where all that matters is that behavior, whether it be picking, pulling, biting, etc. I was lucky to be able to quit so easily, but derma has been an ongoing battle. However, all battles must come to an end.

At the end of my battle, I will emerge victorious.

After all, I've done it before.

Keep calm and wash with cold water.

[canadianbfrb]

[canadianbfrb]

[canadianbfrb]

This is an iffy subject our community likes to avoid talking about, but in any case, learn why BFRBs are NOT self-harm. 

[canadianbfrb]

Make sure you check our website or our Facebook page to see when our next Toronto support group takes place, OR sign up for email reminders here. 

[canadianbfrb]

We really appreciate our BFRB community, especially here in Canada! We are working on getting more support groups up and running, but that involves volunteers. If you'd like to help out please send us a message or email info@canadianbfrb.org 

[canadianbfrb]

If you would like to get email reminders about upcoming Peer Support Meetings in your area, CBSN News, BFRB Updates etc... be sure to sign up for our newsletter! 

[canadianbfrb]

[canadianbfrb]

Photos from yesterday’s CBSN event Breaking Down BFRBs, held in Toronto, Ontario at the North York Civic Centre. The open event invited local professionals, parents, and students to learn about BFRBs from experts and BFRB community members alike.

Pictured here, from top to bottom Katy Takaoka, Melissa Wood, Ryan Downs, Peggy Richter, MD, FRCPC., Eliza Burroughs, M.A., Kim Edwards, PhD., Victoria McKenzie CWY/RSSW, Melissa McPhee, and Karen Carrington

Not pictured: Laura Barton, who spoke, but was also photographer and thus didn’t get a picture of herself.

Thanks to everyone who came out! Hope to see even more people next year!

[canadianbfrb]

If you want to ask Canada's top BFRB experts a question, be sure to join us in Toronto on November 21st for this FREE event! Parents, we have a special workshop for you! 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-down-bfrbs-free-workshop-registration-19196544381 <<<-----