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Compulsive Skin Picking (face, arms, legs, and body)
(THIS IS NOT AN ACNE PROBLEM!)
I have a really clean face and body, I just destroy every piece of it by doing this.
Well here, let me tell you my story. I'm 17 years old, the typical high school teen.I have the compulsion of looking in the mirror and standing there for hours looking at every pore on my face then picking. Then it over turned to my whole body, its gotten way worst since I begun doing this since 1 1/2 years ago. Its been putting me down a lot then turning into depression because I can't wear short sleeves or shorts in public without someone noticing i have multiple scabs, bumps, blemishes going everywhere and questioning me about it. I hate this because I thought it was nothing at first, but when I started noticing marks, scars, bumps and never healing scabs that were left after picking or messing with, its become embarrassing. I miss having a clear/clean body and face, but its like a urge to me. Its like an itch that has to be scratched, if you don't itch it, the urge will grow until so. So after I became aware of my problem, I took my time to see if other people had the same symptoms as me, and I actually found a bunch of people. Well I also found something called Compulsive Skin Picking. Which it is but if you search it up on Google, its more of a mental thing, not a hormone imbalance that a drug would take care of it. I recommend not to take any prescribed drugs for this problem, because I can already tell you NONE will work. Probably just a medication that would mess with your mind or make you depressed. Try these helpful hints that I'm going to be trying out also...
When tempted to pick, care for your skin by applying a moisturizing lotion instead.
Cover or remove mirrors if they act as a trigger and get rid of all implements such as tweezers and pins used for picking.
Consider the use of artificial nails to make picking more difficult, it may work for some.
Wear rubber fingertips or cotton gloves whenever possible if you feel the urge to pick.
Try replacing some of the sensory aspects of skin-picking with a more desirable alternative. For example, keep an object by you that you can manipulate (squeeze or pull) such as a soft rubber ball.
( I play with a rubber band around my wrist to occupy my hands when the urge comes.)
Keep your hands busy with something else such as a puzzle or knitting.
If you bite the inside of your cheeks try eating crunchy snacks when you feel the urge to bite.
Reward yourself for making progress with some kind of treat.
As you gain more confidence gradually begin to expose your hands, arms, face or legs to others starting with family and friends. You will no doubt benefit from their support but at the same time the negative consequences of engaging in your habit will be increased.
If all fails, get advice on skin care. If you have a skin complaint see a dermatologist.
(I went to a bunch of doctors and all they give you is acne cream or something along that lines. Most of the doctors won't understand until you explain every little detail of you problem that your having so they can get an idea of whats happening.)
I have a really clean face and body, I just destroy every piece of it by doing this.
Well here, let me tell you my story. I'm 17 years old, the typical high school teen.I have the compulsion of looking in the mirror and standing there for hours looking at every pore on my face then picking. Then it over turned to my whole body, its gotten way worst since I begun doing this since 1 1/2 years ago. Its been putting me down a lot then turning into depression because I can't wear short sleeves or shorts in public without someone noticing i have multiple scabs, bumps, blemishes going everywhere and questioning me about it. I hate this because I thought it was nothing at first, but when I started noticing marks, scars, bumps and never healing scabs that were left after picking or messing with, its become embarrassing. I miss having a clear/clean body and face, but its like a urge to me. Its like an itch that has to be scratched, if you don't itch it, the urge will grow until so. So after I became aware of my problem, I took my time to see if other people had the same symptoms as me, and I actually found a bunch of people. Well I also found something called Compulsive Skin Picking. Which it is but if you search it up on Google, its more of a mental thing, not a hormone imbalance that a drug would take care of it. I recommend not to take any prescribed drugs for this problem, because I can already tell you NONE will work. Probably just a medication that would mess with your mind or make you depressed. Try these helpful hints that I'm going to be trying out also...
When tempted to pick, care for your skin by applying a moisturizing lotion instead.
Cover or remove mirrors if they act as a trigger and get rid of all implements such as tweezers and pins used for picking.
Consider the use of artificial nails to make picking more difficult, it may work for some.
Wear rubber fingertips or cotton gloves whenever possible if you feel the urge to pick.
Try replacing some of the sensory aspects of skin-picking with a more desirable alternative. For example, keep an object by you that you can manipulate (squeeze or pull) such as a soft rubber ball.
( I play with a rubber band around my wrist to occupy my hands when the urge comes.)
Keep your hands busy with something else such as a puzzle or knitting.
If you bite the inside of your cheeks try eating crunchy snacks when you feel the urge to bite.
Reward yourself for making progress with some kind of treat.
As you gain more confidence gradually begin to expose your hands, arms, face or legs to others starting with family and friends. You will no doubt benefit from their support but at the same time the negative consequences of engaging in your habit will be increased.
If all fails, get advice on skin care. If you have a skin complaint see a dermatologist.
(I went to a bunch of doctors and all they give you is acne cream or something along that lines. Most of the doctors won't understand until you explain every little detail of you problem that your having so they can get an idea of whats happening.)
Well said...thanks for sharing the story of your beautiful daughter. I did a separate write up on here regarding picking but I don't think people paid any attention to it. Everyone usually says the same thing "I thought I was the only one." I asked that people start a thread with success stories. I hope somebody does that one day. I think it will be a great help to others. This thread is so old and long that I don't think people want to take the time to really read what other people have written.
I am not a picker. My child is. My daughter has been an aggressive picker for two years, and she is 9 ½- years-old. (For the purpose of this post, I will call her Annie.) Annie didn’t start off as a picker. She had extreme fears. From a parent’s perspective, knowing what is normal and when we’ve gone beyond the boundaries of normal can be difficult to determine.
When she was seven, we reached that point and entered therapy.
Therapy is a rewarding but difficult path. The challenge is to find the therapist who works for you. Unfortunately, too many people quit after the first try. When I searched for my own therapist years ago, it took me six therapists to find the right fit. You have to know what you are looking for, and to determine that, you have to know what you don’t want. For Annie, we started with a child therapist, Lisa, in the same group as the therapist I was seeing. We went to Lisa for about three months when we determined that she should be evaluated by a psychiatrist (you should get recommendations here too or shop around). She is now on her third therapist and is quite happy with her.
Post-eval, Annie was diagnosed with anxiety (not a surprise, as I have a similar diagnosis) and placed on medication. Relief was immediate. Then the picking started. Her fears were masking her OCD. And, another phase of our life began.
Annie is a BEAUTIFUL girl—scabs and all. She’s goofy and unique; she sings as she walks down the hallway; and she loves to draw. At the moment, she’s not embarrassed by her scars and sores and scabs. We try to cover them with band aids mostly to prevent the spread of MRSA. But that doesn’t mean she’s not affected. Because of her personality, she’s always been a target of bullies, and, although she will deny that other’s notice, children in her school will call her “scabby girl” or “band aid girl.” Lately she’s been more and more depressed—and that’s what she is hiding.
We have tried to teach Annie that what she has is a medical condition, one for which she is seeking treatment. If others have a problem with it, it is their problem, not hers. Some people’s challenges are obvious to the eye, and most educated people will have empathy and try to understand. But when it comes to those hidden within the mind, people are judgmental. Annie has had to thicken her skin. She’s working on her condition. She’s fighting back—fighting her illness and public opinion. She has started to share her condition with others. We don’t want her to keep things hidden in shame; she has nothing to be ashamed of. Hiding things are dangerous.
People who pick have a reason to pick, and it is usually buried deep in their past. Willpower alone might not be enough. Seek therapy. Talk to a psychiatrist—it doesn’t mean you have to take medicine, nor does it mean you’re crazy. I am on many medications at the moment (our household is a very stressful one to live in—Annie has another diagnosis as well, and I have severe anxiety/panic disorder and depression), but I don’t consider myself crazy. Get educated. There are a number of resources out there. And, there are a number of new drugs. Luvox is specialized for OCD. Paxil is a close substitute. Most have side effects. Bu,t there is no miracle drug. Nothing is going to make it go away on its own, just like no anti-depressant is going to make me happy. I have to make me happy. But my meds sure do help. Don’t suffer in silence.
Nothing will work on its own. Medicine won’t do it. Therapy. Willpower. But put together with time—that’s what my family is hoping for Annie.
If you are a child, talk to your parents, your counselors at school. Talk to someone. If cost is a factor, there might be free therapy groups in your area. If you want help, you should be able to get it. But, you have to ask.
When she was seven, we reached that point and entered therapy.
Therapy is a rewarding but difficult path. The challenge is to find the therapist who works for you. Unfortunately, too many people quit after the first try. When I searched for my own therapist years ago, it took me six therapists to find the right fit. You have to know what you are looking for, and to determine that, you have to know what you don’t want. For Annie, we started with a child therapist, Lisa, in the same group as the therapist I was seeing. We went to Lisa for about three months when we determined that she should be evaluated by a psychiatrist (you should get recommendations here too or shop around). She is now on her third therapist and is quite happy with her.
Post-eval, Annie was diagnosed with anxiety (not a surprise, as I have a similar diagnosis) and placed on medication. Relief was immediate. Then the picking started. Her fears were masking her OCD. And, another phase of our life began.
Annie is a BEAUTIFUL girl—scabs and all. She’s goofy and unique; she sings as she walks down the hallway; and she loves to draw. At the moment, she’s not embarrassed by her scars and sores and scabs. We try to cover them with band aids mostly to prevent the spread of MRSA. But that doesn’t mean she’s not affected. Because of her personality, she’s always been a target of bullies, and, although she will deny that other’s notice, children in her school will call her “scabby girl” or “band aid girl.” Lately she’s been more and more depressed—and that’s what she is hiding.
We have tried to teach Annie that what she has is a medical condition, one for which she is seeking treatment. If others have a problem with it, it is their problem, not hers. Some people’s challenges are obvious to the eye, and most educated people will have empathy and try to understand. But when it comes to those hidden within the mind, people are judgmental. Annie has had to thicken her skin. She’s working on her condition. She’s fighting back—fighting her illness and public opinion. She has started to share her condition with others. We don’t want her to keep things hidden in shame; she has nothing to be ashamed of. Hiding things are dangerous.
People who pick have a reason to pick, and it is usually buried deep in their past. Willpower alone might not be enough. Seek therapy. Talk to a psychiatrist—it doesn’t mean you have to take medicine, nor does it mean you’re crazy. I am on many medications at the moment (our household is a very stressful one to live in—Annie has another diagnosis as well, and I have severe anxiety/panic disorder and depression), but I don’t consider myself crazy. Get educated. There are a number of resources out there. And, there are a number of new drugs. Luvox is specialized for OCD. Paxil is a close substitute. Most have side effects. Bu,t there is no miracle drug. Nothing is going to make it go away on its own, just like no anti-depressant is going to make me happy. I have to make me happy. But my meds sure do help. Don’t suffer in silence.
Nothing will work on its own. Medicine won’t do it. Therapy. Willpower. But put together with time—that’s what my family is hoping for Annie.
If you are a child, talk to your parents, your counselors at school. Talk to someone. If cost is a factor, there might be free therapy groups in your area. If you want help, you should be able to get it. But, you have to ask.
I am 53 years old and I pick at my face, arms and stomach. I have been doing this since I was 11 or 12 yrs old. My face and arms are so scarred up I don't even care anymore. Just knowing that I am not the only one that has this problem helps a little.
I thought I was the only one.. Its heartening to know I am not alone.. this is a wonderful support group.. I suffer from mild acne and pick at the scabs on my face and so it never heals completely.. I make resolutions every new year, every birthday and so on that I am going to STOP but that only works for a few days.. the minute I let down my guard, sometimes even without being aware of it, the picking starts again.. I'm sure it looks terrible to an observer.. but I just can't stop. Its an addiction, an obession.. even though I know its harming me and making my poor skin hurt and look bad, I can't stop my fingers from scratching at scabs..
Hi there. Obviously your parents know about this because you have been to the doctors. But I think that you probably went to a general doctor and not a psychologist. The best thing for you to do is to have your parents make an appointment with a child psychologist. This is something that you need to get a handle on now rather than let it go on for years and years. There is help and I'm guessing you just haven't been to the right person for it. Also, it may benefit your parents to become educated about this particular OCD compulsion. The OCD needs to be treated so that you can be on your way to a better life. Ask your parents for help, they will support you and get you to where you need to be. When you hear "just stop doing it" remind people that you would if you could and therefore you need help to be able to stop. My best.
Im 12 years old and i have a MAJOR problem with picking skin and scratching and i keep getting rashes and scars more around my face legs and arms!! i cant help it and doctors nvr help i feel like something is pinching my skin and wont stop pinching till i do something to it... I need help im only in grade 7 and i already have problems showing my skin around people, even my family!! the more i scratch and pick the more dry my skin gets and the more it makes it itchier... Help me please!
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