Agony of woman who suffers from rare condition that causes her to compulsively damage her own skin



Sophie Ermann has suffered from dermatillomania since the age of 12

It causes her to pick compulsively at her skin, leaving her badly scarred

She spends two hours concealing the damage to her body each day

Now she has launched an exhibition revealing her scars for the first time

At first glance, Sophie Ehrmann is a typical pretty twenty-something. But her fresh-faced looks hide a dark secret and her flawless skin isn't quite what it seems.

Rather than being the result of good health, Sophie's complexion comes from spending two-hours a day applying products to conceal the scars that dot her body as a result of dermatillomania, a condition that sees her compulsively damage her own skin.

Until recently, Sophie, who also suffers from trichtillomania, had kept her condition a secret from friends and family but now, the brave 24-year-old has laid bare her syndrome in a series of compelling portraits.

Painful: Sophie spends two hours covering up her scars, caused by dermatillomania, every day

Scarring: Sophie's scars cover her entire body, including her face and legs



' I am a very high strung person and to calm myself, I tear my hair and skin out,' explains Sophie, who believes her condition is the result of stress.



'For me, they are stress relievers that make you feel high when you do it. It is the same thing as turning to drugs or alcohol for your problems.'

New-York born Sophie started experiencing symptoms at the age of 12. By 17, she was secretly ripping skin and hair from her legs, face, underarms, breasts and bikini area.

'I used to go up to my bedroom, lock my door and shine a lamp on various parts of my body. Then I would just go to town on myself with my tweezers. My parents thought I was studying.'

Sophie eventually confided in her mother and was diagnosed with the disorders at 19. But it was too late to stop the scarring that means she's forced to slather herself in make-up before leaving home.

Difficult: Sophie says she wishes she had normal legs and says it makes finding a boyfriend more challenging

Covered up: Sophie spends two hours a day concealing her scars caused by the condition



'I spend a lot of money on products and who knows how much on long socks, knee high boots, and tights. Then the whole cover-up process itself takes at least 90 minutes.

'It sucks. I can't just leave my house wearing a cute dress baring my legs for all to see. I have to plan things out.



'I wish I had normal legs so I could just get dressed and wear whatever I want, whenever I want, without it being some big ordeal.'



It is not only going out that is difficult for Sophie: 'It is hard becoming intimate with someone when you feel so self-conscious about whether they will notice all the scars on your body, and think less of you.'



However after years of hiding from others, Sophie decided that it was time to tell the world the truth about her condition.

She revealed her scars to the world through an intimate photography project that was shown in an exhibition at New York City's School of Visual Arts in September.

'I wanted more people to be aware of dermatillomania and trichotillomania and how it can affect anyone.

'I felt like I should represent all of the people who were in my position and were too uncomfortable to publicise their disorder. Someone had to do it, and why not me?'

Harder was revealing the extent of her condition to friends and family, some of whom were shocked by the graphic images.

'Some people would avoid looking at the pictures because they were uncomfortable or grossed out, but that doesn't bother me because that's life. Some people will love what you do and others won't.'

Transformation: An unscarred Sophie (left) in 2005 and today (right) in full make-up and knee-high socks



Brave: Sophie with one of her harrowing self portraits during the recent exhibition in New York

Sophie is continuing to raise awareness about the disorders and is starring in the upcoming documentary Trichster. The film, which follows the live of eight trichotillomania sufferers, will be released in Spring 2014.

'I hope that through my work, we get the word out there about these disorders and help anyone who has it.'

A spokesperson for the Trichotillomania Learning Centre, a charity which supports people suffering with dermatillomania and related body-focused disorders, said: 'Skin picking can occur when a person experiences feelings such as anxiety, fear, excitement or boredom. Some people report that the act of repetitively picking at the skin is pleasurable.

'Establishing whether skin picking is an independent problem or a symptom of another disorder is an important first step in creating an appropriate treatment plan.'

WHAT IS DERMATILLOMANIA?

Dermatillomania - or compulsive skin picking - is an impulse control disorder characterised by the uncontrollable desire to pick at one's skin. The condition is often categorised as an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Sufferers usually start by picking at their face before moving on to other parts of the body. Some, such as Sophie, have the condition so severely they pick at their skin until it is damaged. The condition can lead to bleeding, bruising and infections and in severe cases, permanent damage .

C ompulsive skin picking will often be carried out after the person has experienced a high level of tension which has caused an urge to carry out the behaviour.

It is often accompanied by a feeling of relief or even pleasure due to the reduction in anxiety levels.

But once the damage has been done, the person will often be left with a feeling of depression or hopelessness.

Treatment usually involves counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Source: Anxiety UK



