It is a subtype of skin-picking disorder (SPD) that is directed at acne lesions and is typically limited to the face. SPD, also known as excoriation disorder, was introduced in the most recent (fifth) edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the DSM-5. SPD encompasses several different diagnoses that involve repetitive manipulations of the skin, including acne excoriée. SPD is a distinct entity in the group of the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, along with trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder.
The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for skin-picking disorder are as follows:
- Recurrent skin picking resulting in skin lesions.
- Repeated attempts to decrease or stop skin picking.
- The skin picking causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
- The skin picking is not attributable to the physiologic effect of a substance or another medical condition.
- The skin picking is not better explained by symptoms of another mental disorder.
Related topic: Neurotic excoriations