Does Rhinotillexomania Treatment Work?
Picking your nose is a habit the majority of people have engaged in at some point in their lifetime. However, others feel that they cannot stop nose-picking and live with a mental health disorder called rhinotillexomania. This is the technical terminology for someone who has an irresistible compulsion to pick their nose. People often think of nose pickers as little children, but it's a real disorder among adults as well. As explained by the National Library of Medicine, a preliminary survey of rhinotillexomania in an adolescent sample concluded with the statement that "nose picking is common in adolescents." Rhinotillexomania requires medical treatment, and there are numerous treatment options available to people who struggle with this repetitive behavior.
What Is Rhinotillexomania?
In short, rhinotillexomania can be defined as a compulsive picking of the nose or nasal septum. It's part of a family of different compulsive skin-picking disorders, and it can be quite harmful. While many of us think of nose-picking as being gross and something that only children engage in, it can actually cause serious damage if it continues. This is because your nose and nasal septum are areas of your body responsible for a large portion of blood circulation. Interrupting that flow can lead to harmful physical consequences.
It's essential to note that not everyone who picks their nose has rhinotillexomania. For instance, small children are less likely to have this disorder at all. Even older children and adults who pick their noses may not have any compulsion to do so. As indicated by some surveys, nose-picking is almost a universal practice done on average about four times a day. If the activity is intentional and done of your own free will, then it is not considered a compulsion or a disorder. However, the habit can still result in some of the dangers listed below. The fundamental difference between rhinotillexomania and simple nose-picking is the compulsion that exists within the disorder and the body-focused, repetitive behaviors that characterize it.
Treating Rhinotillexomania
Treatment for rhinotillexomania can work and help individuals manage the symptoms of the disorder. Typical treatment options include talk therapy and medication, or a combination of the two. Seeking out professional help can help an individual determine whether they have the condition and then work with the provider to come up with a plan for treatment. In some cases, there is an underlying cause or problem causing the disorder, as it's considered an obsessive-compulsive or impulse control disorder. If rhinotillexomania is caused by OCD or another type of anxiety disorder, the individual may be prescribed anti-anxiety medication. Always consult a doctor before deciding to start or stop a medication.
Alternative Solutions
It might feel embarrassing to talk about rhinotillexomania, even with a professional counselor. If you're not ready to seek out counseling just yet, consider trying out some of these alternative solutions and techniques listed below. Additionally, should you choose to see a therapist, you can still try to implement these methods into your life as an additional source of help.
Avoid Using Your Fingernails
You don't necessarily need to stop picking your nose altogether. You may simply need to avoid using your fingernails when doing so. Consider using a cotton swab instead of using your fingers to pick your nose. This can significantly lower your risk of developing a perforation of the nasal cavity or infection (bacterial infections may cause upper respiratory infections and be the carriage of staphylococcus aureus).
Blow Your Nose
Instead of picking your nose, try blowing it into a tissue instead. It may not provide the same relief and satisfaction, but it can help you reduce the urge to pick.
Use A Fidget Toy
There are many different options that can provide relief from stress and anxiety. Fidget toys are highly recommended because they can help keep you distracted from picking your nose and keep your hands busy. Without fingers to pick available and an extra distraction, it might be harder to pick your nose.
The Danger Of Rhinotillexomania
The blood that circulates through the nasal cavity is directly linked to the blood that circulates through your brain. This means that if something happens to the blood flow, it can impact your brain and the way it functions. Compulsive nose-picking can result in infections (bacterial infections may cause upper respiratory infections and be the carriage of Staphylococcus aureus) in the nasal cavity and can also enter the blood and flow into the brain. This is because of the connection that it has to other areas. If the infection spreads to the brain, it can be extremely dangerous and even lethal if left untreated for an extended period.
Who Has Rhinotillexomania?
So, who exactly is at risk for rhinotillexomania? When it comes to compulsive nose-picking, rhinotillexomania begins during childhood and continues into adolescence and even into adulthood. However, for most people, the actual disorder seems to occur sometime during adolescence or early adulthood. National Library of Medicine (Rhinotillexomania: psychiatric disorder or habit?) conducted a population survey which showed that nose picking is an almost universal act in which adults engage— this practice may not be pathologic on most occasions. Rhinotillexomania doesn't have anything to do with hygiene or necessity. Instead, it's a compulsive way to ease tension or stress.
Someone who feels a large amount of stress or who struggles with an anxiety disorder may be susceptible to the disorder. Those with other types of compulsion disorders, such as different forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, may be more susceptible to rhinotillexomania. Additionally, they are more likely to live with a combination of various disorders with similar causes. Of course, as with many others, rhinotillexomania has a few possible causes, which can make it difficult to understand where it comes from. Consulting with a doctor can be important, as they can provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment for you if you compulsively pick your nose.
Symptoms Of Rhinotillexomania
An individual with rhinotillexomania constantly picks their nose because they feel an irresistible compulsion to do so. They will likely continue to do so even to the point of bleeding or severe irritation because they can't seem to stop themselves from doing it. There are several things that may cause nosebleeds (recurrent epistaxis). Some of these may include colds (upper respiratory infections) and sinusitis, blowing your nose with force, inserting an object into your nose, injury to the nose and/or face, and nose picking. People who engage in nose picking may experience excessive nosebleeds (recurrent epistaxis), which might lead to infections or other problems with their nose, and even make them develop severe headaches.
These individuals may also experience excessive tension and anxiety that can lead up to rhinotillexomania. They may then feel relief or gratification after they engage in the activity but feel shame or guilt because of the behavior. They might attempt to hide the behavior, but it may still be somewhat apparent to those around them.
Someone who engages in this type of behavior may engage in other similar behaviors as well. Many who report picking their nose excessively with the possibility of rhinotillexomania have also reported picking behaviors such as picking at their skin, biting their fingernails, pulling out their hair, and picking at their cuticles. These behaviors are all considered different types of skin-picking disorders and may occur at different frequencies. Someone may pick at various parts of the body or different areas more or less frequently than they do others. They may also pick at various areas at different times and may engage in other behaviors related to skin picking.
Online Counseling With BetterHelp
If you’re struggling with compulsive behaviors that feel out of your control, you can find support in online therapy. BetterHelp can connect you with a therapist who specializes in disorders like rhinotillexomania. You won’t need to worry about driving to appointments or moving your schedule around to accommodate sessions. Instead, you can relax on your couch and get advice from a professional through video chats, phone calls, or in-app messaging. Online therapy could be a vital step in your healing journey, particularly if you prefer more flexibility and freedom in your treatment.
The Efficacy Of Online Counseling
Those struggling with compulsive behaviors may benefit from online counseling. In an assessment of an online video teletherapy treatment, researchers found that the intervention “resulted in clinically and statistically significant improvements, with a 43.4% mean reduction in obsessive-compulsive symptoms.” Additionally, participants experienced fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Counselor Reviews
"Lindsey is very good at putting things in perspective. She is a great listener and offers realistic, loving advice without being judgmental or harsh. I feel like she has helped me to see things in a way that makes me able and willing to change my negative behaviors without feeling like my life is going to end and I'll never get over the loss of my old ways. It's the way she phrases things and makes me see it in a new way that makes me able to have a light flip on that was out before."
"Busola is amazing, I've only had a few sessions with her but she makes me feel listened to. She understands what my primary needs are for each session and addresses them. Moreover, it doesn't feel like just time to talk and unload everything on someone, but she addresses negative behavioral patterns and helps create an action plan for them."
The Takeaway
Rhinotillexomania may seem like an unhelpful habit that needs to be broken, but it’s much more than that. Individuals with this serious mental health disorder often require professional intervention to overcome it. By recognizing and understanding rhinotillexomania, you can begin to seek treatment from a qualified mental health provider and stay out of harm’s way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does rhinotillexomania mean?
Rhinotillexomania is the formal term for a mental health disorder characterized by compulsive nose-picking that often leads to personal injury. This disease is typically accompanied by nail biting or skin scratching.
Is there a medically reviewed research study published on rhinotillexomania?
Yes. One recent study published on the repetitive behavior caused by rhinotillexomania found that it can cause inflammation of the nasal tissue.
Why do people pick their nasal passages?
People pick their noses for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, an allergy or a sinus infection can make them pick their nose with a tissue. Other times, they do it out of stress or anxiety. In rare situations, nose-picking is a compulsive and repetitive behavior.
Does picking your nose help clear nasal mucus?
Nasal mucus is typically caused by allergies or sinus infections. People sometimes try to pick their nose with a tissue to clear it away. However, saline sprays are typically a safer and more effective treatment for clearing your nasal cavity.
Can nose-picking cause you to develop a dry nose?
Dealing with a dry nose is never pleasant. A dry nose is not always caused by nose picking, but body-focused repetitive behaviors like nose picking can contribute to a dry nose.
Do people pick their nasal passages because they are living with a mental illness?
Sometimes, people who pick their noses live with rhinotillexomania. This is a compulsive health disorder that typically requires counseling and sometimes medication to treat.
How do I stop compulsive nose-picking?
Several methods, such as treating your nasal cavity with a saline spray or reducing nose discharge of mucus can help you stop nose picking. However, if you are struggling with a compulsive habit of picking your nose, you may need to seek help from a counselor.
Does picking your nasal passages compromise your immune system?
Picking and eating substances from your nose can be dangerous. This is because it increases your risk of developing a respiratory infection, which can be harmful if you have a compromised immune system.
What side effects occur to your nasal cavity when you pick your nose?
There's no case report that shows that someone can die from nose-picking. However, chronic rhinotillexomania leading to unilateral external nare stenosis may cause serious health problems. In other words, a number of health problems such as excessive nose bleeding (recurrent epistaxis), infection, and septum perforation or damage can occur when you pick your nose.
How do you treat rhinotillexomania?
Sometimes, nose-picking may become obsessive-compulsive or body-focused repetitive behavior. This, technically, is referred to as rhinotillexomania. Chronic rhinotillexomania leading to unilateral external nare stenosis may cause serious health problems. Just like every other repetitive behavior and compulsive illness, this body-focused repetitive behavior is not without effective treatment.
There are different treatment options available for those with rhinotillexomania. These options center on immediate symptomatic correction and also addressing underlying psychiatric disorders. Your condition may require intensive treatment options. The available options for body-focused repetitive behavior disorders include behavioral modification therapy and antidepressants.
Support centers may also involve the use of different treatment options such as habit reversal training (HRT), social support (involving families in your treatment process), evidence-based treatment, and peer support groups.
What causes excessive nose-picking?
Excessive nose-picking which can be described as a compulsive, repetitive behavior can occur in rare situations. Nose picking varies from person to person with respect to why each person engages in it. Some people live with rhinotillexomania and may spend hours a day picking their nose which, in some cases, could lead to nasal discharge. Some people pick their noses because the practice can relieve them of some discomfort. Some engage in it because they are bored or nervous. Excessive nose-picking may be caused by anxiety or stress and could go along with scratching or nail-biting. It's been discovered that nose-picking has the tendency to ease anxiety briefly.