addicted to picking

[TammyR1216]

Ever since I was young (around ten years old) I use to sit infront of a magnified mirror and pick my pimples, blackheads, hairs or just plain anything I could out of my face. I became borderline obsessed with this, not being able to wait till the next day to get back in the mirror. I am now 30 years old and still have the same compulsive disorder but now I've moved on to people in my family. Mainly anyone that will let me "pick" them. I feel so much satisfaction from a pimple the blows up or a blackhead that I can successfully pull out of each pore. In each "session" I bring with me tweezers, a pin and a lamp so I can see even better. I turn into a totally different, even aggressive person if they move, or make me wait because I am hurting them. Even when I hurt myself I can't stop. What's wrong with me?

[AAnanda]

OMG! This is exactly what's been happening to me for... I don't know, ages now, even if I'm "under control" as I call on my '"week no squeeze" days, I also, check every time in front of a mirror, so close that I'm almost glued to it, so I can see even the smallest little lump on my skin, to then decide it's got come off, out of my face pleeeease! So sick...Either during the night I keep doing this little scratching thru my face e body searching for any lumps that deserve my crazy attention.....It's gotten to  a way where I have developed my proper tools kit, needles, tweezers , beside my long sharp mf nails whom tear my skin apart...sometimes I feel embarassed to leave my apartment, to face people even my own family, and I don't know why I do that.....sometimes is more like a mini surgery, really freaky and the skin breaks 1 inch broad, it's awful! But the thing is ,It does heals faster than if I would just leave it there untouched ,in  3 complete Sherek Disgusting looks days , scabs out and heals, and that's always my excuse...the problem is I can't live like this, they are never even pimples (I'm 23!!) they are anything, any little lump , a blackhead or whatever that people couldn't even notice, but for me is like having a monster glued to my face, that unless I take it out it will make my mind prisoner, it's a freaking torture.....'cause I'll always find something and will wake up the next day like someone just burned you with a cigarette .....I feel like **** for it

[blossom1970]

I also have a picking habit,and love to squeeze Zits,but Im also an alcholic,heroin,crack head in recovery,but I cant stop picking!so as far as Im concerened,its even harder to quit picking

[Fren_PP]

firstly ScarreStraight, I am so sorry you have had to go through so much. Your ordeal sounds painful and harrowing but I must thank you.... you have confirmed my worst fears...that my picking can cause skin cancer. Confirming that is a good thing... It MUST be the thing that stops me. Nothing else so far has.

OK this must be the day I make the change. I am sitting here right now all bruised and blotchy with just mood lighting on waiting for my partner to come home...I darent put the main overhead light on, he will see the results of 45 mins in front of the magnifying mirror.

Loved the 'trance' and even now whilst I am sat here hating myself, I can still feel the amazing sense of serenity I had whilst sat in front of that mirror.

Well tomorrow it goes in the bin!!!

I have suffered from depression for 17 years and take prozac daily...for the most part I am ok, good days and bad, much like most people... but this is something I cannot seem to stop. But I must.

I have managed to seize control of my depression over the years so now I must tackle this 'guilty pleasure'.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences... I wish you all luck. Keep strong and try to fight the urge.

[phonedead]

I didn't realize until I read this thread that I actually do have an addiction. I am going to print out your post and keep it, ScarredStraight. I am so glad I found this thread. I thought I was all alone and that I was just lacking self-control, or weak, or just really weird.

I identify so much with this entire thread. The "calm" of the trance, the nipple picking, picking at other people's zits. I even pick at my poor dog's eyes, and I always feel so guilty afterwards.

Thank you everyone for sharing. We can do it! Just one moment at a time. If you can get past this one moment, that is the key.

[MissLoudon4]

Thank you for sharing your story! It sounds to me that you are becoming more isolated due to this issue. When I was in middle school I would find myself wanting to get rid of the pimples on my face, I would pick and pick to try and fix the problem but it would only get worse. I wouldn't go to school for a week until the scabs healed. I become isolated from my friends, and felt immense shame and guilt. If it is beginning to interfere with your every day life, I would try and make an appointment with a dermatologist. They will be able to treat the current condition of your skin, and hopefully give you some insight as to why this is happening, and provide treatment! We are not alone in this and I hope this was of some help to you!

[all_alone1]

I just finished reading this thread. Isn't it ironic that at first comments were so negative and yet come to find out soo many people have this issue so many that I didn't even finish reading them all.  I also get into a pimmple poppling frenzie occationally. The kids have learned to stay clear from me when the have a breakout or I will yank them close. My oldest daughter even does it to her boyfriend.  We don't do it all the time or as severe as others but we do it nevertheless. Go figure!!! :-)