Skin picking

[Lucky2shoes]

I'm quite embarrassed but I can't defeat my skin picking habit I'm constantly doing it I pick my ears, back, elbows, scalp and will procrastinate whilst doing it to the point that it takes me ages to move and get things done.
I am making myself bleed etc what can I do and what's wrong with me why am I doing this.

No advice but solidarity. My areas are mainly feet and scalp (I have bald patches) and just seem to be unable to stop

Also meant to add, I have ADHD so don't know if that's a factor

It's pretty common. Official name is dermatillomania. Often starts as a bit of a self soothing strategy.

Nice guidelines advise cbt as treatment, if you want that.

Not sure it's good advice but I've always found putting PVA glue on my arm to dry then peel off helps me not pick myself

You can talk to your GP and get referred. I also do this and have been considering it. Treatment is teaching you to direct your picking energy elsewhere. I've been putting it off because as stupid as it is I know its self soothing for me and the idea of giving it up, as much as I hate that I do it, is stressful.

Tends to be a co-occurring condition with ADHD - my cuticles are in bits at the mo from it! I find if I take the time to paint my nails it puts me off doing it.

I do it as part of adhd stimming

I do it also as part of stimming.

I can minimize it by using a lot of moisturiser - Flexitol Heel Balm is the best - as that gets rid of all the little tags which are so tempting.

As a fellow ADHDer and skin picker I found the solution! I always have my nails done, acrylic with gel overlay so that they are too ‘blunt’ for me to pick. It works instantly and I’ll never be without them. Try it!

I've always picked the skin round my nails, so bad it bleeds at times. The only things that help are having thick gel/acrylic nails, so I can't actually pick. Also I have recently found a clicky ring, the normal sensory rings don't help me but the clicking seems to replace the pick so it's been really helpful!

I am 100% with you - I’ve heard it’s a symptom of adhd - I can’t stop either

Definitely part of the neurodiversity profile.

I've done it for years, especially my cuticles. It can get very painful.

There's a bit in the side effects section in the instructions on my ADHD meds that says skin picking (or an increase) is a possible side effect. I've definitely noticed I do it more since starting on Elvanse, but the benefits are so great it's worth it to me.

Wow I do this too but no ADHD. The only time I stopped was when I got acrylic nails and I couldn’t!

I do have adhd but not medicated and I get very stressed and overwhelmed.

Also with adhd and a skin picker. I have found being medicated makes the urge to pick worse sadly.
My legs are a complete mess 😩

I do it at times and used to love picking my feet

Did it more as a dc

Don't think I've got ADHD

So do I.
I have so much trouble trying to stop doing this.

I do this to my thumbs and some fingers and have recently wondered if I had ADHD… this is interesting

But also agree gel nails work!

My picking got worse when I went on antidepressants

still picking makes my skin so sore but I can’t stop

I have adhd wgen I had acrylic nails I couldn’t pick I’ll have to get my nails done I guess

It gives me satisfaction getting big pieces off 😫

I really think I have more than adhd going on as I love sweeping the flakes up off the floor and especially like seeing them on a dark background
Tell me I'm not right am I

I do this constantly, I often wonder if I have ADHD