Emerging skin-picking behaviour after serotonin reuptake inhibitor-treatment in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: possible mechanisms and implications for clinical care.

Abstract

Pathological skin-picking is a self-injurious, impulsive behaviour with repetitive, and ritualistic characteristics. A number of studies show that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be efficacious in reducing skin-picking behaviour. Two case reports are presented demonstrating that SSRI-treatment may induce or aggravate pathological skin-picking behaviour. Possible mechanisms of SSRI-induced pathological skin-picking and implications for clinical care are discussed.

• Authors: Damiaan Denys, Harold J G M van Megen, Herman G M Westenberg
• Journal: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) (J Psychopharmacol) Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 127-9 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0269-8811 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12680750 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Paroxetine
• Fluvoxamine

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fluvoxamine (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (drug therapy)
• Paroxetine (adverse effects)
• Self-Injurious Behavior (chemically induced)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (adverse effects)
• Skin (injuries)