Busting some myths! (BFRBs)
Hello everyone! I’m here with a very special post today. Did you know that this week we’re celebrating Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB) awareness week? That’s right, teehee! BFRB week takes place from October 01st to the 07th every year!
(Image solely belongs to The BFRB Podcast)
In the spirit of this year’s BFRB awareness week, I thought I’d talk about some common myths surrounding BFRB! This theme was inspired by an article published on Find Your Base, by psychologist Andrea Umbach: “What are Common Myths about Body-Focused repetitve Behaviours?”.
Let’s jump right in!
BFRBs are a choice.
-I wanted to touch on this one first, as I feel like this is a common myth that spans across most, if not all mental health issues. For body-focused repetitive behaviors specifically, a lot of persons are simply not aware of their behaviors to begin with. The amount of work, and focus it takes to help change these behaviours, are enormous. Someone battling this mental health condition can't turn their switch on or off for their behaviours whenever they want to. Or, “just try harder.”
BFRBs are rare.
-Here’s a fact for you! Did you know, after research suggests that in North America alone, over 10 million people live with BFRB. Despite these high numbers, most usually go undiagnosed, and untreated. A lot of persons, from all over the world endure these kinds of behaviors, and have been enduring them for years. BFRB is hardly a rare mental health condition. It affects more than we think!
BRFBs are caused by Trauma and Abuse.
-Boy, this is a complex one! The cause/s of BFRBs are still yet to be fully dug into, and a lot of questions still remain. However, we can surely say that research proves that it is not caused by Trauma or Abuse. While it is possible for persons who have had to go through traumatic events to have BFRBs, and there is a connection in some way, it is also possible for someone who has gone through this, to not develop any type of BFRB. Instead, studies show that a big part of the development of BFRBs are through genetics, passing down from family member to family member.
Once you have a BFRB, you also have anxiety.
-These things are totally separate. A person can have both these disorders, but it doesn’t come as a pair. One can have a BFRB, with no anxiety. The interesting thing about BFRBs is that they don’t only help to relieve stress, but they also help stimulate a person. Umbach quotes “Others feel bored, and the behavior stimulates them. Some feel angry and the behavior settles them down.”
BFRBs are a form of self-harm/lead to self-harm.
-The presence of a BFRB, doesn’t increase the likeliness of someone self-harming. Self-harm can be termed the purposeful production of pain, whereas persons with BFRBs don’t aim to give themselves pain. Persons with this disorder report that they’re not even aware that they’re doing it a lot of times. Yes, persons with BFRBs are looking to soothe some sort of negative emotion or feel pleasure in many instances, but the pain and any physical damage that comes after that is not wanted or is the objective.
There is no treatment available for BFRBs.
-Over the years, many therapists, and researchers have put the time and effort into evidence-based treatment for BFRBs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, usually considered the recommended treatment, is a part of this, and treatment does in fact exist. With the right approach, it is possible for persons to reduce, or even stop their behavior/s.
Thank you for taking the time to read!
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Edited by jovialButterfly6752 on October 5th, 2021 to make minor formatting changes add add links about Support Plus.
Wow, this was such an informative post! Thank you so much for sharing! 😊
Great post! I'm so glad to see information about BFRB'S on here.