Help me stop picking my skin

[Jimminychristmass]

I need serious real help.

I literally cannot stop picking my skin. My face, my chest, my arms, my legs etc

Anywhere there is the tiniest bump I can turn into a wound and I'm so sick of it. I'm getting to a point where I'm having to constantly cover up with clothes or make up etc and it's starting to ruin my life.

I have a 5 and 8 year old and I'm so ashamed of myself that they see it too. Any quiet times
of the day or when I'm putting off things I know I need to do it starts and it happens without even thinking about it. I don't need to be feeling anxious or stressed, I do it when I'm at my absolute happiest too.

Has anyone ever got over this with real things that actually helped? I've looked it up so many times and every solution just seems useless. Distraction, sitting on hands, removing access to tools etc etc just won't work 😭

Could you put a hairband on your wrist and ping it instead?

I can behave similarly when I'm anxious. The combination of a physical alternative and someone to talk to about my anxieties has helped.

You could try BIAB on your nails. It makes your nails thicker which makes it much harder to pick. It won’t address any underlying issues but may help you break this habit.

When and why did this start? Figuring out the source is the best way to stopping it. Most body related habits – nail biting, hair sucking, skin picking, etc are a way of self soothing and develop when we don't have any other way of expressing feelings.

I can't help becuase I'm exactly the same.

I'm wondering if anyone has everybody hypnosis? I'm very skeptical, but also desperate.

Following o do this too. I was recently diagnosed autistic adhd and ut can be more common with adhd. Repetitive body focused behaviours.

I do occasionally get better but at the moment its terrible as I am stressed.

Fiddling with hair clips, cuddling cats, keeping busy can help but ultimately I have to try and consciously choose not to do it. Its very hard as I do without realising.

Mine is mainly in my scalp, hands, elbows, chest at the moment and a random patch on one knee.

I have found spiky fiddle toys better and you can buy picky pads fiddle toys designed too pick at.

I’m the same op
it sounds so simple to just ‘stop’ but it seems I’m utterly incapable and have been doing this since I was a kid and I’m now 42. I bite the inside of my mouth and the most recent one is clamping my teeth which has caused jaw issues . I’d be interested to know if hypnosis has worked for anyone