compulsive lip picking, need help!

[nightowlmostly]

Hi, I am new to MN, this is my first post.

When my lips get dry and peel, I feel like I have to pick the skin off. This results in scabs which I pick off every day, which means they don't ever heal.

This has been happening for more than 10 years, which seems ridiculous, I can't remember when it started really or whether something triggered it. I have managed to stop for a couple of months twice, but it keeps recurring.

I don't know what to do, DH says go to the GP, but I feel like they'd just tell me to stop it and pull myself together. Does anyone have experience of something similar, or have advice of what I should do to stop? It looks really bad, and it is depressing.

Thanks in advance for any replies!

It's a bit like nail biting - you know the result will look ugly, but you can't stop yourself.

All I can suggest, without seeing a GP, is finding a hypnotherapist.

Two maybe three sessions may work for you. I'm not sure that GP would take it seriously if I'm honest, but if you could pay for a couple of sessions of hypnotherapy, that may help.

BTW, you may be taken more seriously by your GP if you have other OCD-type symptoms or anxiety related problems, in that they may recommend you are referred for CBT. But on it's own I think maybe hypnotherapy could be your best bet.

Thank you for your comments, I think you're probably right about the hypnotherapy being the way forward. May have a battle on my hands with DH, he tends not to be a fan of such things!

Will try and look into the options near me, thanks again.

I've been doing this for years too, my lips are always really sore. Have tried lip balms etc to soften them so I can't feel the scabs to pick bit I hate having anything on my lips. DH says I get worse when I'm stressed or worried.

I do the lip balm thing too, but it doesn't really work, if I'm honest. I suppose it helps with keeping them softer, but it doesn't stop me actually doing it.

Have you considered hypnotherapy, Gwendoline?

It is a pain - my partner does this too.

Do use lip balm of course, but also olive oil in your lips then rub with a flannel - it'll help exfoliate to get off some of the rougher dry bits to at least limit things a bit. Keeping hands and lips busy with other things...all that jazz. But if you're looking at an OCD issue then you do need to see a GP, or yes as said hypnosis may help both with the behaviour and the underlying cause, triggers, etc.

Not the same, but my dh used to nibble the insides of his cheeks - constantly.

It was only when the hygienist at the dentist scared him by mentioning oral cancers (rightly or wrongly) that he managed to stop.

It can't be good to constantly cause tears in the skin on your lips? I think hypnosis might help.

Thanks everyone, will definitely look into the hypnotherapy thing!