About

People with BFRBs live with uncontrollable urges to pick, pull or bite at their hair, skin or nails. We all do these things to some extent, because they are normal primate grooming behaviours, but some of us, for some reason, find it incredibly difficult to stop once we’ve started. This can lead to a range of physical and psychological problems, and can stop some people with BFRBs from living their lives to the full. Estimates suggest that around 5% of the population experience problematic BFRBs, but they are highly stigmatised and there is little awareness amongst clinical/medical practitioners, or in the general population. As a result, misunderstanding, misinformation, dismissal and a lack of support are common experiences for people living with BFRBs.

Vision

A world where the science of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) is well understood, public and clinical awareness is widespread, and all individuals affected by BFRBs have access to informed, effective support.

Mission

To advance scientific understanding of Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) through rigorous research, to raise awareness of their psychological and physiological foundations, and to translate science into effective interventions and public education.

Who Are We?

We are a group of scientists, clinicians and advocates for people with BFRBs.

BFRB REACH was set up by Clare Mackay, who is a professor of Neuroscience at the University of Oxford and has lived with hair-pulling disorder since she was 12 years old. In 2023 she ended 40 years of living with her BFRBs as a secret shame and started to both study and advocate for people with BFRBs. You can read more about her story here.

Polly Waite is an academic clinical psychologist.

Bridget Bradley is an academic anthropologist and co-founded BFRB UK & Ireland

Events

Coming up

Past events