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How does one stop the compulsion to picking at their skin? I have scars all over from picking at the tiniest zit or bump on me. It becomes huge and takes forever to go away.
Anything aside from attending meetings and such. I don't think outing such an embarrassing thing would help me much.
Thanks for any and all help!!
Put your hands and fingers to work on something else. Take up rug hooking or crocheting or knitting. That way, not only will your hands be busy, but you will end up with beautiful Christmas gifts. I'm hereby placing an order for a cute winter hat, in hmmmmmm light and cadet blue. And get good at making hats or shawls or scarves and start a cottage industry.
Your public library is full of knitting and crocheting pattern and idea books. Look at this web site to see a cottage industry started by one creative woman who sews with fabric and fleece --
Stocking Caps and Jester Hats for Women, Men and Big Kids by GottaHavaHat
I have this problem... I have callouses all over my hand due to lifting weights and just overall being a man (yeah right).
I use a pumice stone to get rid of the rough edges of the callous so that I CAN'T pick it even if I could.
I used to carry a nail clipper with me just in case a small piece of skin stuck out. Instead of picking at it, I can just snip it. Possibility?
I already do knit and crochet. I don't think it is just something to do with my hands.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Quote:
Originally Posted by ISneezeFunny
What?
With me, it's just a small case of ocd. I don't like things that stick out... and I have to get rid of it
How do you pick when you're knitting and crocheting?Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
Another magical ability granted by the AMHD gods.
I think that might be the same there.Quote:
Originally Posted by ISneezeFunny
I don't knit when I'm standing at work waiting for the doc to come out of a room, or sitting at a red light, or talking to someone...Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Then find a substitute for those times. (I have a cousin who knits and crochets while standing at work, sitting at a red light, or talking to someone.)
I don't crochet while standing at work because I would get fired, I don't do it at a red light because I don't want to get into and accident. I could do it while talking to people though. Although they might think that I was not paying attention.
I just want to throw this out there, this is in the addictions section for a reason. It's not just something that I do when I'm bored. I have a problem.
Well, then, you're right. You have to conquer the OCD. Have you thought about how you can do that?
But there is something supremely satisfying about pulling off dead skin in as large a sheet as possible. There was even a sound to it, a dry rustling. I used to do that when I peeled after a sunburn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
OMG, how is that helpful... That makes it worse. Thanks.
Gross, huh.
Have you tried anything that worked, at least for a while?
How about putting a rubber band around your wrist and snapping it when you begin to pick?
I was definitely :eek: while I was reading that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
I'm thinking of writing horror fiction.
Any ideas for her, Sneeze, ol' buddy?
I don't think you are taking this as seriously as it really is.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Well, for me, it's mostly callouses that come up on my hand, so I just do everything I can to get rid of callouses so nothing instigates me to start picking.
I do notice, however, that I pick my skin when I'm stressed or bored.
I've tried the rubber band on the wrist method, and being me, I think about picking my skin, look at the rubber band, and think "Why hurt myself when I can just gratify my ocd?" and proceed to picking my skin.
What is it that you pick at mostly? Is it just dead skin or your cuticles?
Both... a small bump on my arm... a zit on my face...
Bingo!Quote:
Originally Posted by ISneezeFunny
Hello, Momma!
Do either of your parents pick at things on their skin like you do? Do these things that you are picking at cause you any discomfort or itching without you picking at them?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clough
No to both questions.
And you would be the only person in the room with a problem if you go to, say, an OCD support group? And isn't the habit getting to be obvious--and that's not embarrassing?Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clough
Hello, Momma!
Do either of your parents pick at things on their skin like you do? Do these things that you are picking at cause you any discomfort or itching without you picking at them?
I haven't read everything on this thread. But, have you stated how long you have been doing this?Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
No to both questions.
My whole life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clough
Well, it's nearly 1:30 here. In 12 hours I have to be at work. I hope more people (YO! CLOUGH!! ), especially ones who've been through this and conquered it, see this thread and give you some good advice. I'll check back after I get some sleep. 'Nighty night.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
I'm very sensitive about my scars.. >I wear long sleeve shirts all the time.
And I refuse to go to a group.
Why? (I had to stay up a little longer... )Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
1. I don't have time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
2. It's embarrassing.
3. I don't want to... :eek:
*cough*
Oh.
If you have been doing this your whole life and it is causing you so much unpleasantness, then why won't you go to a group, Momma?
I know that you've sort of answered that in your previous post. But, you do need help/support with this, if you can't control your urge to do it yourself.
She answered that when I asked it:Quote:
Originally Posted by Clough
Quote:
1. I don't have time.
2. It's embarrassing.
3. I don't want to...
Hi Chihuahuamomma,
I picked when I was a teenager and into my early 20's.
I believe mine was habit of just picking and it was harder to stop than one might think.
It took some time but constantly reminding myself eventually led to me getting out of the habit all together.
First I would catch myself picking, then imminently stop doing it, and remind myself that I didn't want to pick anymore. That took the longest.
Eventually I would catch myself before I went to pick and was able to stop myself before it happened.
I would again remind myself that I wasn't going to pick.
One thing I noticed was that picking was much harder if I had my nails done professionally and shaped square (or flat at the tips).
Something about the acrylic nails and how thick they are made picking uneasy, unenjoyable and frustrating for me.
I know this may sound weird to some people, but the different feeling to the acrylic nail and to the area being picked is very noticeable to a person who picks,
Therefore making it easier to remind yourself to stop when wearing them.
I wish you the best because I know it's a frustrating, embarrassing,
Hard to talk about kind of habit to have.
Have you ever tried using a cleanser or medicine to make these tiny zits/bumps go away?
Also, I've read some of your other threads, particularly regarding weight loss. Your diet also has a lot to do with your skin. I see that you are working out and eating healthy, which is an awesome thing to do-not only for your overall health, but for your skin.
Try using a moisturizer or some kind of acne treatment (and there are lotions/medications for all types of skin-whether you have sensitive skin, etc... ). You must allow yourself time for these treatments to work and I guarantee you will see results. Now if it is that bad, and you cannot take control of your picking habits, then you need to consult with your physician and/or seek the wonderful advice already given to you in this thread.
If you really wanted to, you would make time, and any future possible embarrassment would be reduced significantly. If you really want to stop, you have to have some self control, there is no magic words anyone can say to you to make it go away.
If you had read one specific thread you would know that I have a rash on my upper arms, that has been there my whole life and frequently I had a couple of the spots on my lower arms, and that's what starts the picking. My diet hasn't affected my skin.Quote:
Originally Posted by Depressed in MO
But thank you. I'm getting health insurance at the end of March, and fully intend on going to the doctor about this.
You are welcome. I don't typically read through every post everyone puts out there unless it pertains to something that concerns me. OR unless it is specifically mentioned about- within the current thread that I am reading. However, either which way, definitely see your physician. I have eczema in certain places on my body (elbows, ankle) which looks horrible and I know the frustration and embarrassment you must be feeling as I feel it is comparable to your situation when you describe how it looks and the urge to pick at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
In the meantime, before you are able to obtain health insurance, there are creams and medicines to help the way that it looks until you are able to seek medical attention.
Good luck girl.
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