beat dermatillomania

I’m a 17-year-old girl with pretty severe anxiety and since I was 11, I’ve been picking at the skin mainly on my head, but sometimes on my fingers etc. It’s gotten pretty bad in high school, and the top of my head is always bloody, painful and gross. I can’t stop myself from doing it in public, even though people give me disgusted looks. I don’t like getting my hair touched because people always comment on it. It’s so embarrassing. :(

there’s a name to compulsive skin picking. i pick my gums, my finger beds, big toes, middle finger, and i bite the top of my lip. i’m lucky i don’t leave scars, well except my top lip. i definitely put myself though pain. and i think people catch me doing it and think i’m weird. im going to try the rubber band thing although i’m afraid ill just cut my circulation off with it. does anyone have any advice for different aversions. this is hard to talk about.

I’ve always had this issue, but never had a name for it. I’ve always picked scabs over and over letting them bleed. I’ve picked my lips until they looked like I had a disease. I bite, chew, and pick the skin around my nails and cuticles, which is why I’ve never had a manicure – fear.

I remember getting sunburns and constantly peeling off the dead skin. I got poison ivy rash on my rear, and picked the scabs on that so much I got 2nd degree infections. I picked my nose constantly as a kid, though I’ve gotten that one taken care of now.

I’m glad to know I’m not alone and that there is hope I can overcome this.

When I was younger I was always outside running around, so I always had cuts and bruises on my legs. I would always pick at the scabs until they bled. People sometimes thought I had chicken pocks I had so many scabs on my legs. Then I started picking at the skin around my nails. I would pick until they were swollen, red and bleeding. People would always ask what happened to my fingers and I never knew what to say. When I was a teenager I was diagnosed with MDD (major depressive disorder) and I cut myself. I’ve always struggled with anxiety, and I am guessing that this, along with my perfectionism and low self-esteem, led me to self harm. I have finally stopped cutting and picking at my nails! I am so proud of myself. However, lately I have been under stress, as I am going away to college in August, and I have been picking at my skin and scalp almost constantly when I am alone. I was so happy I found this website because it was such a relief to find a community to help people through this.

I’ve picked twice. I want to not pick for the remainder of the day. For me, I pick my scalp and after continually picking at one spot for about six months I have three penny sized bald spots.

No more.

I have always thought I was a freak and alone on this. My wife of 8 years now has been supportive and tried everything she can. I have 2 boys, 3 and 4, who are asking me why I have white stuff on my hands. I saw my oldest rubbing his fingers the other day like I do right before I start to pick and it broke my heart. I don’t want to pass this on and am looking for some help.
My father came to visit a wile back and I looked at his hands to find that he does the same thing and looks like he has for a long time. If anyone has an idea for me, let me know.

http://www.acne.org/habit-reversal.html

I’m a 21 year old woman and I have just started living my life, but I’d like to leave this part of my life behind me. I’ve been picking ever since I can remember, actually probably since puberty. I don’t know I’m doing it until it’s too late and I’ve done damage. It seems that I pick at my skin all the time. I usually attack my face and back. I feel ashamed though because most times I pick its in public. Even if it’s not the aftermath is there for all to see. I’ve tried the rubber band on my wrist and the antidepressant thing, but it doesn’t work. I’m desperate for anything. Please help.

A previous poster said he/she used to cut. I did too. I was so proud of myself; I got myself to stop several years ago by journaling.

Recently my boyfriend has realized the extent of what I’m doing to my face. I have occasional zits, but I guess I think it’s worse than it actually is. I’m always picking. I don’t think one day goes by without me getting really close to the mirror and scrutinizing. My boyfriend is really concerned about it. I didn’t even think it was a problem until now. But now that I’m thinking about it and reading other posts, I used to pick at my arms, thumbs, legs, etc. I never left scars, but I would peel away skin and then try to hide it. Wow, that sounds so gross.

Anyway, I’m sad now thinking that the cutting never really stopped…it’s just moved into another habit.

Is there a way to stop this? I feel so overwhelmed and controlled by it. And I think my case is a little different. When I was googling I came across this term: body dismorphic disorder. I have always felt that I don’t look the way that I picture myself in my head. I can’t quite place it. I just always expect myself to look prettier, have different features, or just look naturally good. It’s weird.

Where do I start?

I found this while doing research in class regarding cutters…I know I do not cut myself but I know I do pick until I bleed, so that makes me the same. I found the condition and now I am finding that other people do the same thing as me. I don’t feel so alone and I am going to put more energy into trying to make myself quit. The only thing that works for me is acrylic nails and it works 100% – but I can’t afford the time & maintenance every couple weeks.

I am putting a rubber band on my wrist to try that and see if it works…..I CAN DO IT!!!