How to Pronounce Dermatillomania
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Dermatillomania Pronunciation
dur-mat-il-oh-MAY-nee-ah
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
dur
mat
il
oh
MAY
stress here
nee
ah
7 syllables
What is Dermatillomania?
Also called excoriation disorder or skin-picking disorder, this condition involves repetitive, compulsive picking at one's own skin, leading to tissue damage, sores, and scarring. The behavior is difficult to control despite causing physical harm and emotional distress.
Questions About Dermatillomania
How do you pronounce dermatillomania?
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Dermatillomania is pronounced dur-mat-il-oh-MAY-nee-ah. The stressed syllable is MAY, which is where your voice gets a little louder and longer when you say the word. Think of it like saying "may" in "May I help you?" but in the middle of a longer word.
What are the syllables in dermatillomania?
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Dermatillomania breaks into seven syllables: der-ma-til-lo-ma-ni-ah. When you say each part slowly, it helps you hear how the whole word fits together, kind of like building with blocks one piece at a time.
Which syllable gets the stress in dermatillomania?
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The fifth syllable, "MAY," gets the stress: der-ma-til-lo-MAY-nee-ah. A common mistake is stressing the first syllable (DER) or the third syllable (TIL), but the emphasis really belongs on the "MAY" part toward the end of the word.
What does the word dermatillomania break down into?
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Dermatillomania comes from three Greek and Latin parts: "derma" (skin), "tillein" (to pull or pluck), and "mania" (a strong urge or obsession). Putting it together, the word literally means an irresistible urge related to pulling or picking at the skin.
What is a simpler way to say dermatillomania?
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Dermatillomania is also called "excoriation disorder" or "skin-picking disorder." These simpler names mean the same thing and are easier to pronounce, though dermatillomania is the medical term doctors and scientists use.
What other medical words share the root 'derma'?
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Several medical words use "derma" (skin), such as dermatitis (skin inflammation), dermatology (the study of skin), and epidermis (the outer layer of skin). Learning that "derma" means skin can help you understand many other medical words.
How would you use dermatillomania in a sentence?
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You might say, "The counselor explained that dermatillomania is a condition where people feel a strong, hard-to-control urge to pick at their skin." This shows how the word is used in a health or educational discussion.
Is there a short abbreviation for dermatillomania?
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Dermatillomania is sometimes shortened to "excoriation disorder" in casual conversation, but there is no widely used single abbreviation like you might see for other medical terms. Most people either say the full word or use one of its other names.