Clare Mackay
Neuroscientist and professor at Oxford University who researches neuroimaging and the neuroscience of body-focused repetitive behaviors, and a lived-experience advocate for trichotillomania awareness.
Best podcasts with Clare Mackay
Ranked by the Snipd community
Oct 29, 2025 • 37min
Understanding trichotillomania (hair-pulling) and other body-focused repetitive behaviors, with Clare Mackay, PhD, and Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD
Body-focused repetitive behaviors such as hair pulling (trichotillomania) and skin picking are relatively common but remain stigmatized and misunderstood. Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD, and Clare Mackay, PhD, talk about why these behaviors occur and how they relate to grooming and emotion regulation; how living with BFRBs affects people’s lives and mental health; why reducing shame and stigma is so important; and how parents can support children with BFRBs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 15, 2026 • 47min
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) with Professor Clare Mackay
In this engaging conversation, Professor Clare Mackay, a neuroscience expert from Oxford with over 30 years of experience, dives into body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) like hair pulling and nail biting. She explores the connection between these behaviors and primate grooming, revealing their soothing effects. Clare shares her personal journey with BFRBs, comparing urges to an itch that demands scratching, and discusses the evolution of social touch. Offering insights on management, she emphasizes compassion and support, especially for parents navigating these challenges.
