Final answer:
To fulfill diagnostic criteria for excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, the picking must be severe enough to result in significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
To fulfill diagnostic criteria for excoriation (skin-picking) disorder, the picking must be severe enough to result in significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
For example, someone with excoriation disorder may experience difficulty maintaining relationships or performing well academically or professionally due to the compulsive skin-picking behavior.
This level of impairment distinguishes excoriation disorder from occasional or mild skin irritation caused by picking.