Untapped Potential Podcast
In this podcast, we dive deep into the nuances of living and dealing with a BFRB (body focused repetitive behavior) and how to UNTAP your potential in healing from one.
This podcast is brought to you by Raffaela Marie, a Dermatillomania Coach who knows from personal experience what it's like to struggle with a BFRB. On her quest to heal herself, she dove down the rabbit hole into human psychology and behaviour so that she could take this knowledge and experience and help others to heal as she did.
In a nutshell, she found what it takes to heal and it's not as impossible as most people think it is! Now she's sharing all her tips, strategies, and invaluable insights with the world on this podcast.
Untapped Potential Podcast
52: Is Depression & Chronic Skin Picking Just a Chemical Imbalance?
Is depression really just a chemical imbalance? And what about chronic skin picking?
In this episode, Rafaela Marie shares her personal journey of overcoming 15 years of chronic skin picking and 10 years of depression—and why the common narrative around chemical imbalance doesn’t tell the full story.
You’ll learn about the connection between chronic stress, emotional regulation, and compulsive behaviors—and why healing requires more than just addressing brain chemistry.
If you've ever felt stuck in cycles of skin picking or depression, this episode will help you rethink healing and reclaim self-trust by exploring:
- Why the chemical imbalance theory doesn’t fully explain depression or skin picking
- The role of chronic stress in emotional regulation and compulsive behaviors
- How childhood experiences and environment shape coping mechanisms
- The importance of self-trust, purpose, and hope in healing
🌟Get more support in healing from chronic skin picking here 👉 Strength | The Roadmap to Healing from Chronic Skin Picking
🌟Send Raffaela your thoughts and Qs, here!
Resources:
- Havard Health Publishing - What Causes Depression? Onset of depression more complex than a brain chemical imbalance
- Lone Star Neurology - Understanding the Connection Between Chronic Stress and Neurotransmitter Levels
- Frontiers - Emotion Regulation in Current and Remitted Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Show notes:
00:00 Introduction to the Untapped Potential Podcast
00:43 Client Success Story: Angela’s Transformation
03:03 The Root Causes of Chronic Skin Picking
05:53 Debunking the Myth: Chemical Imbalances & Mental Health
07:51 How Chronic Stress Impacts Your Hormones
17:51 The Link Between Depression & Emotional Regulation
24:42 Reintegrating the Fragmented Parts of Yourself
25:16 The Long-Term Effects of Chronic Stress
25:42 How Childhood Environment Shapes Your Coping Mechanisms
27:30 Personal Struggles with Depression
29:04 Understanding & Navigating Suicidal Thoughts
35:37 Finding Hope & Purpose in the Healing Journey
42:12 Practical Steps Toward Sustainable Healing
49:22 Conclusion & Final Reflections