Assessment tools for clinical excoriation (skin picking) disorder: a mini review for diagnosing and monitoring symptoms severity

Abstract

Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder (SPD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by repetitive skin picking, often affecting areas like the face, arms, and hands. It has its own diagnostic classification in ICD-10, DSM-5-TR and PDM-2. Individuals with SPD may use various tools to pick at their skin and often struggle to stop the behavior. The disorder typically arises during adolescence and is more common in females, with a lifetime prevalence of 1.4% in adults. SPD is associated with decreased quality of life and increased rates of anxiety disorders, depression, and substance abuse. Validated assessment tools are essential for diagnosing and monitoring SPD symptoms. The Skin Picking Scale (SPS), Skin Picking Scale-Revised (SPS-R), Skin Picking Impact Scale (SPIS), and Skin Picking Symptom Assessment Scale (SP-SAS) are commonly used instruments for evaluating the severity of SPD symptoms. While these tools have shown reliability and validity, there are limitations, including potential biases in self-reporting and the need for further validation in different populations and languages. Future research is needed to enhance the effectiveness of screening and assessment tools for SPD in clinical settings.