Obsessive picking

[ObsessivePicker]

Hi all, I've name changed for this thread.

I really need to stop picking myself. I pick my face, my arms, the top of my legs, chest and back. I've got recurring spots in all these areas and scars and blemishes where I've just scratched away.

I often say to myself that I'll stop, starting right now (like tonight) and whenever I do, I feel like my skin is crawling. I catch myself touching my face looking for a piece of skin to pick off or running my hands over my arms. I just don't know how I can do it.

I've started to notice people looking at my arms when I wear short sleeves and I can only imagine what people are thinking about the content scabs on my chin.

Has anybody else experienced this problem? If so, what did you do/do you do to curb the "habit"

Thanks in advance

[SaraHillsBook]

I think this is called dermotillomania

[chrome100]

I pick at my face. I find it compulsive and can't stop. I've got open sores and scars :( my mum is convinced its because I'm unhappy. I don't think I am, it's just a habit. I put plasters on my face at home to stop the damage but outside the house I have to remove them and carry on picking. Wish I could stop b

[Mrsmorton]

I used to do this. I went t the GP who was amazing (his specialty in the practice was dermatology) and that was the star of me stopping but my god my skin was horrific after I'd been at it. I can't stand photos of those years.
I do it a bit now when I'm stressed. Could you go to your GP?

[GlitzAndGiggles]

I've done this for as long as I can remember but only on my face and shoulders. I never wear backless dresses because it looks disgusting. I also suffer with trichotillomania which is pulling hair out. I do it on my scalp and it's all thin and horrible at my roots. I've cut down lots because I'm so ashamed of it. Maybe your gp will have a remedy

[GlitzAndGiggles]

chrome it's an impulse disorder. Many people tell me to "just stop picking" but sadly it's not that easy!

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

Glitz I have both those disorders too
Eyelashes are the worst but I can go months without touching my shoulders but the tiniest blocked pore there and I rip the skin off practically. I have suffered so long with this. I had hypnotherapy for the Trish and it worked for about 6 months then it wore off and it started again. Marking place but think I need to bite the billet and ask for help from gp

[GlitzAndGiggles]

Queen how did you get the hypno? Can a gp refer you?

[ObsessivePicker]

I've been reading around Dermotillamania. I can definitely relate to obsessive part of it. I read someone describe the running of your fingers over your skin, searching for something to pick. That's me. I can do this for hours.

I'm not sure what my gp can do to be honest. I'm on ADs for PND (the picking has been going on for about 13 years) and I don't find that counselling helps me at all.

I've tried all day to not pick. I've run my hands over my face a couple of times and stopped myself but have been thinking about what I have felt on my skin.

[SourSweets]

I do this. I hate it, I managed to stop for my wedding but started again before the honeymoon was over. No advice as I'm struggling with stopping too, but just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

[Mrsmorton]

Do you have a game you can play on your phone? I found that distraction was helpful. Also I took all of the mirrors down in my house and got rid of all the shiny surfaces that used to help me find bits to pick and I also started getting my eyebrows threaded rather than doing them myself so I didn't get the opportunity to sit at a mirror for ages.

[roughtyping]

I pick my lips. They look horrible, all hard skin. I've picked so much before that I tore the skin on my chin and had a big wound. I know it's gross but I can completely zone out when I do it, it's like my mind is totally empty and relaxed. I use a lush lip scrub which helps a bit as still getting a sensation IYSWIM.

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

Glitz I paid privately for it