Skin picking and skin biting til fingers are red raw and I can't pick things up

[KC11]

I suffer from anxiety.My dad and brother both skin pick and so do I. I can't talk clearly about my problems cos I don't want to be a burden. I'm in my 40s and married.

It's my strange coping type thing. It somehow bakes me feel like I've achieved something but my fingers are sore and have wounds on them. I try not to skin pick but it's so tempting and simpler than speaking out. Help me please

I would go on meds. It would stop this habit and allow you to get healthy again.

Gp just said " try to stop doing this to yourself ".

Fingers are really sore and skin around nails and on pads of thumbs and index and middle fingers looks purple pink and angry.

It's embarrassing.

That's not helpful is it? Ask for a referral for your anxiety. Honestly that's just dumb your GP saying that. Get another doctor appointment with someone else if they wont refer you and tell them you need help with your anxiety as it's disturbing you and you can't stop doing it. Just my opinion.

I do this. I have done my whole life.

It flares up when my anxiety flares up.

Hypnosis helped a little. Daily meditation helps. But I now live with it as my anxiety is not in itself bad enough for meds.

When I paint my fingernails I definitely pick less. (I bite the inside of my mouth instead). The shame

I do this too
I've had to put plasters on my thumbs to stop me
I also bite the inside of my mouth
I'm terrible for picking spots , I can literally make a mountain out of a molehill

I have not picked for a day or two so my fingers are healing slowly. I must stop doing the skin biting. People at work might see the results and my fingers look terrible.

I am going to cook more healthy food and if i get the urge to bite and pull a dry bit of skin I am going to get the hand cream out. Bought a new handbag size cream today for just this purpose.

sorry i meant to add: Name Changed.

I do this too. They are all sore and bleeding right now as I'm stressed. Can't stop as I have zero awareness that I'm doing it, even if it causes pain. It's completely unconscious. I painted them with that bitter anti-nail bite stuff, but that only works until you wash your hands. It's horrible.

I do this too. It helps if the skin is harder to grip. It cuticle oil around the nail so that the skin is softer. You can also wear gloves all day.