5 Signs You Might Be Struggling with a Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviour (BFRB)

Many people live with body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs) without even realising it. Maybe you’ve searched for help with skin picking, or wondered why you keep pulling your hair when you’re stressed. You’re not alone — and there’s nothing “broken” about you.

Whether you’re discovering this for the first time or simply need a little clarity, here are five signs you might be struggling with a BFRB:

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1. You Pick, Bite or Pull Without Thinking

It often happens when you're anxious, bored, overwhelmed — or even when you're zoning out. You might find yourself picking at your skin during meetings, biting your nails while scrolling, or pulling strands of hair while watching TV. These automatic habits are common signs of a BFRB.

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2. You Feel Embarrassed or Try to Hide It

Wearing long sleeves in summer, avoiding close-up photos, or applying makeup to cover scabs are all coping strategies many people use. BFRBs often carry shame — not because they’re shameful, but because we think no one else does this. (They do.)

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3. It Feels Good… Then Awful

There’s a release in the moment — a calming sensation — but afterwards you might feel regret, guilt or frustration. This emotional rollercoaster is very real and very common for people with skin picking disorder or trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder).

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4. You've Tried to Stop, But You Can’t

Even with the best intentions, stopping the behaviour is hard — especially without tools or support. That’s because BFRBs are not just bad habits — they’re deeply connected to how our nervous systems regulate stress.

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5. You Didn't Know There's a Name for This

If you’ve just learned that what you do has a name — and a whole community of people who understand — take a breath. There is hope, and there are helpful tools.

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You’re Not Alone — and There Are Softer Ways to Cope

Whether you're living with skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting, or other repetitive behaviours, know this: you’re not lazy, disgusting, or broken. You’re human — and your body is doing its best to cope.

That’s why we created Squisharoo — a line of fidget toys and sensory tools designed to help soothe your hands, calm your body, and support self-regulation in moments of overwhelm.

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💙 Ready to try a kinder way to cope?

Explore our calming fidget toys today - available in South Africa. They're soft, squishy, and made to help you redirect the urge with compassion — not shame.