Cessation of Skin Picking Symptoms With Methylphenidate Treatment in a Child With Comorbid Skin Picking and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Abstract Skin picking disorder includes behaviors such as picking, scratching, and squeezing of the normal skin in an impulsive, repetitive manner despite the fact that no dermatological condition is detected. Skin picking disorder may also be comorbid in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and vice versa. There is a great deal of data regarding the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment of ADHD. In this article, we report the cessation of skin picking behaviors in a 10-year-old girl diagnosed as having skin picking disorder and ADHD after modified-release MPH treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case report that shows the cessation of skin picking behavior after MPH treatment in a child with ADHD.