Introduction: Oxytocin (OXT) is thought to play a role in processes
such as social bonding, empathy, and emotional regulation, as well as in
the pathophysiology of repetitive/grooming behaviors. The aim of this
study is to compare plasma OXT levels in individuals with body-focused
repetitive behavior disorder (BFRBD) to those in a healthy control group,
and to examine the relationship of OXT with disease severity, emotional
regulation, and attachment styles.
Methods: This study included 35 patients aged 18–45 diagnosed with
BFRBD who visited the psychiatry outpatient clinic, and 35 healthy
controls with matched age, gender, and partner-status. Participants
were assessed using the Beck depression inventory (BDI), difficulties in
emotion regulation scale (DERS-16), experiences in close relationships
inventory-II (ECR-II), and Hendrick relationship satisfaction scale (HRSS),
and plasma OXT levels were measured.
Results: Oxytocin levels in patients with BFRBD were found to be
significantly lower than in healthy controls (p<0.001). Patients had higher
scores for insecure attachment and difficulties in emotional regulation
(p<0.01). Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between the
severity of skin-picking behavior and OXT levels (p=0.033).
Conclusion: The insufficiency of OXT levels in BFRBD patients and its
association with disease severity suggest that OXT may play a role in the
psychopathology of BFRBD. Further research is needed to explore the
role of OXT and its therapeutic potential in this disorder.
Keywords: Attachment, body-focused repetitive behaviors, emotional
regulation, oxytocin