Survey--Where are you from? Age? Gender? Ethnicity?

Posted October 11th, 2012 by olivegreen
Hi! In reading everyone's posts here, it sounds like pickers are all types of people! I thought it might be interesting to see how different we all are, yet how united! I am curious to see if dermatillomania might be like autism--it crosses all boundaries. In your reply, list your current hometown, age, gender, ethnicity, and anything else you want to add! :) ps....if you don't want to mention any of the above, I won't be offended :)
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On December 9th, 2012 perfectblue said:
Hi! I'm 22 years old, Mexican American female, and I'm from SJV, California. I've been skin picking for as long as I can remember. Restless would be a word that describes me. People have recommended daily exercise and it seems to work well. The days that I don't get to work out, I'm a complete wreck. Anyways, I'm new to this website and am very, very happy to have found this forum and more importantly very glad to have found this post thingy. What a fantastic question to ask, reading where everyone's from and their age and everything else makes me feel more human. thank you :) p.s. and yes, my eyes were tearing up as i wrote this! lol
On December 5th, 2012 gypsygirl14 said:
I'm a 31 year old, white female. I live in Arkansas, but was born in London. I'm a college grad, work as a manager. I started by biting my nails and picking my nose as a kid. I quit those things as a kid. I started picking as a teen. I also cut myself. I stopped that as an adult. I pick my face, chest, back and scalp now, but mostly when I'm stressed and breaking out.
On December 5th, 2012 Bogman said:
I've just discovered this forum moments ago. I am a 45 year old, Caucasian male. I live in Canada. I have been picking my fingers and nail beds since about age 8. So far my most effective treatment so far has been (after picking has led to bleeding). Is any kind of hand cream, followed by applying nu-skin or liquid bandage to damaged area. Then trimming my nails. When I continue to pick I'm picking off the liquid bandage allowing my fingers to heal. At least enough to stop bleeding. Once a significant amount of healing has taken place my compulsion to pick is reduced. Then I'm good until the process begins again. The triggers are usually stress, including boredom. Once the picking starts again it's compulsive until I begin the ritual again. Usually after being embarrassed by bleeding fingers. I explain away the bleeding as a paper cut and scram.
On October 30th, 2012 Picking-your-battles said:
I am a 27 yr old female, currently Tx but soon CT. I've been picking since I had chicken pox around the age of 5. I have read somewhere actually that people who have over active minds tend to pick, so perhaps we are the smart ones just not being challenged enough ;)
On December 5th, 2012 gypsygirl14 said:
I think the same. I think it does have to do with a sort of restlessness.
On October 29th, 2012 olivegreen said:
Thanks for all of your posts!! I find it highly encouraging to see how many of us are similar, but yet how different we all are. Take care to all of you, and keep this post going!! :)
On October 28th, 2012 jessy1 said:
Emmi, I'm also from Australia! Melbourne, 24, female, Caucasian (Scottish/English heritage). I'm new to this forum- didn't realise that other people struggled with picking too until a couple of days ago, which seems crazy since I've been doing it for over ten years. Can't express how nice it is to suddenly realise that I'm part of a bigger group, from which we can all take strength... especially given that the group spans oceans! (Great idea indeed olivegreen : ) ). Thanks to everyone for posting their experiences- it's amazing how much it helps.
On October 29th, 2012 Emmi said:
I am also from Melbourne! I thought I was the only one. Its very reassuring to know there is someone else in the same area as me going through similar things
On October 19th, 2012 lamb said:
I'm a 14 year old girl from New Jersey. I am half Chinese and half Polish. I started picking about four or five years ago. Right now my picking is under control for the most part, but it kind of goes on and off in cycles.
On December 5th, 2012 chocodog333 said:
I'm 15 and also from New Jersey. Picking since I was a toddler.
On October 19th, 2012 WhiteRus said:
Los Angeles, CA Born in Minsk, Belarus 26 years old Female Caucasian
On October 18th, 2012 CammyZ said:
I'm living In Phoenix, 30 year old white female. I have been going through this battle since I can remember. Didn't even know it had a name, and that there were others suffering until last Saturday. I'm hoping we can help each other! A lot can happen when a large group of people come together and raise awareness! We shouldn't be embarrassed about this anymore! It's not out fault!
On October 17th, 2012 Marmocet said:
Hi! I'm a white female, mid 40's, Canadian. I don't remember a time when I DIDN'T pick, but it's been getting progressively worse over the years, with my scalp being the main focus.
On October 17th, 2012 witchcatmermaid said:
I'm 14 and I'm from Georgia, United States. I found this website after picking for 3 years. It became a habit and I can't stop doing it. It's almost as if I enjoy it. I want to stop because it makes my skin look terrible, but I can't. I have eczema and bad acne (so I already have horrible skin) and I pick at those until they bleed, form scabs, and so a cycle begins. I have open wounds and scabs on my forehead, scalp, arms, legs, shoulders, and my back :/
On October 16th, 2012 olivegreen said:
Thanks for all the great comments everyone! It sounds like we truly are a diverse group! :)
On October 16th, 2012 mynameisjessica said:
i live in northern mississippi; i'm 21 years old, female, white (largely french-irish), and in college. i've been picking for years, and i'm not sure what triggered it. i pick at my face a lot, but mostly my nailbeds, to the point that usually at least one of my fingertips is infected. i got fake nails the other day in an attempt to help with my finger problem. i'm hoping because my fake ones won't show imperfections as much and are much harder to mess with, it'll help break the habit. i've always switched moisturizers and am washing my face more in an attempt to keep my face from drying and breaking out and making me want to pick. so far i'm doing pretty well :) i also told my fiancé to yell at me if he catches me picking, so i hope that helps as well.
On October 15th, 2012 ophelia said:
I am African American and I have been picking for over tweny years all over my body . I'm really tired of picking its making my face ,arms , legs and back. I know i need help ,but i do not know where to start . PLEASE HELP !
On December 5th, 2012 gypsygirl14 said:
From what I gather, therapy with a certified counciler and redirection to some other activity seem to work the best.
On October 15th, 2012 ophelia said:
I am 48 and from New Jersey
On October 15th, 2012 Tinydancer said:
I am from Santa Cruz California, I am 16, female, and Caucasian.
On October 15th, 2012 Tinydancer said:
I am from Santa Cruz California, I am 16, female, and Caucasian.
On October 14th, 2012 reaching.higher said:
21 year old female, black (Jamaican), and from Florida:)
On October 13th, 2012 SpottyFace said:
Hi All! I'm 30, I live in Florida, and I'm Caucasian (with just a touch of Indian bloodline)
On October 12th, 2012 Orange said:
I live in central Ohio, I'm female and danish descent (white) I'm also pretty young. 13, turning 14. Good idea by the way. I'm interested to know where everyones from too
On October 12th, 2012 lauraswell58 said:
I am on steroids for a lung disease that is fatal and I never smoked . I was exposed to some toxins 1 in our well called TCE or Trichlorolylethelene. It was featured in a movie called a Civil Action with John Travolta and William H. Macy. However our lawyers only gave us only $30,000.00 for depreciation of property values. I never got any money for my illness from this chemical poisoning I am left with steroids which make you fat. Permanent damage to my brain and I developed seizures but the worst part is I look like a fat Meth user. These sores are awful and I am truly embarrassed people think its contagious and literally jump away from me. Is there anything that . can help with this constant dermatitis on my face, scalp, legs, arms back, chest. Thank you, Laura lakid1@comcast.net I am white 54 years old and on steroids which have made me gain 60 lbs. Can anyone help I am hardly eating and was hospitalized for not eating and had a seizure. I almost died I hadn't eaten in a month because these steroids make you huge. I am mostly Irish , German English and possibly Scandinavian I am 54 years old..I live cold ass Chicago. I am moving to a warmer climate because I can't take the cold anymore or I'll die.
On December 5th, 2012 gypsygirl14 said:
My heart goes out to you. Please take care of yourself and eat what you need. Your health is way more important than your appearance. That said, perhaps there is a support group for those who take steroid medication, and maybe they will have advise. Know that bad things happen to good people. You matter and your worth is not measured by your appearance.
On October 12th, 2012 extweaker said:
I live in St. Louis, MO. I'm an 18 year old white (mostly German) female.
On October 12th, 2012 Emmi said:
Im 20, Female, from Australia, Half English/Irish, I'm Caucasian, with bloodlines going back a few generations to Italian. I'm really curious.. Is there anyone else on this forum from Australia?
On October 11th, 2012 sunlit_moon said:
20 year old white female, living in Tallahassee, FL (go 'Noles!) glad you posted this, I was just thinking the same thing!
On October 11th, 2012 newperspective said:
I live in Denver, CO, I'm 25 (almost 26), Female, and White (I'm a mix of mostly German and Hispanic). :)
On October 11th, 2012 mschafer87 said:
We have a lot in common! I'm 25, female and German and Colombian. I currently live in Maine but moved from Boston.
On December 5th, 2012 helpme100 said:
new jersey. sounds like a lot of new jerseys!
On October 11th, 2012 olivegreen said:
Me--Laura--I live in Indiana, PA. I'm 31 years old, female, and white. (Part Blackfoot Indian.)
For information on the skin picking disorder (Dermatillomania), symptoms, causes and treatment methods, get the Complete Guide to Skin Picking Disorders.