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Indie , 29 Jul 2013

Time To Stop

I haven't been on this site for almost a year . . . I have decided yet again it is time to stop picking and be free. I have suffered from skin picking for over 8 years now. It has kept me from going to places I would like and being able to wear what I want to wear. It has produced many photos I am ashamed of because no matter how much makeup I pile on you can still see my marks and scars. It is good to know I am not alone and I appreciate any support! Any tips and ideas on how to resist the urge to pick? I want to start a family soon and this is not something I want my future children to see or start doing themselves because I am unable to control my urges.
7 Answers
Iwillpickneveragain
July 30, 2013
The only tip I can think of is to not look at your skin. I myself have KP on my upper arms and chest and if I even get a glimpse of a bump I can't help but pick it. Good luck.
rubberducke
August 01, 2013
Stay away from mirrors and bathrooms. Wear a hat to use the bathroom if it helps. Be as quick as possible and just don't look in the mirror. i hope this works for you because it doesn't for me.
sajmai
August 02, 2013
here are a few: (feedback is always helpful) 1. cover mirrors that are trigger spots. i know certain mirrors are my favs around my house 2. use at home remedies to clear acne, i use lemon and egg whites 3. Use a stop watch/timer on your phone for everything from taking a shower to going pee to getting ready. 4. wear mitts or gloves often 5. distract your hands! 6. Visit this forum and let it out 7. hang with friends 8. do something around your community 9. Get out more 10. Find a new hobby 11. Train yourself to stop 12. Leave notes evey where with sticky notes like "I am beautiful" "I will NOT pick" etc I hope one of these help! Good Luck Im a compulsive skin picker of my back/chest/face :( Im trying everyday)
sajmai
August 02, 2013
here are a few: (feedback is always helpful) 1. cover mirrors that are trigger spots. i know certain mirrors are my favs around my house 2. use at home remedies to clear acne, i use lemon and egg whites 3. Use a stop watch/timer on your phone for everything from taking a shower to going pee to getting ready. 4. wear mitts or gloves often 5. distract your hands! 6. Visit this forum and let it out 7. hang with friends 8. do something around your community 9. Get out more 10. Find a new hobby 11. Train yourself to stop 12. Leave notes evey where with sticky notes like "I am beautiful" "I will NOT pick" etc I hope one of these help! Good Luck Im a compulsive skin picker of my back/chest/face :( Im trying everyday)
rubberducke
August 05, 2013

In reply to by sajmai

If you're a face picker, wear or hat or something else that covers your face when you go to the bathroom. I try to not look in the mirror at all and get out of there as fast as I can.
Cheer
August 02, 2013
Hey there, Good for you deciding to stop! I'm also on a journey of trying to stop skin picking. I'm finally really facing and treating this problem that I've had since I was 6 years old (I'm now 34). I mainly pick my fingers and feet and sometimes scabs elsewhere on my body. I do it pretty much constantly. A few years ago I stopped cutting the skin with nail clippers while I was in therapy. But I still kept picking and biting. I have had some success in holding back since having therapy again. My advice is to not beat yourself up about it so much... You should give yourself credit whenever you have any amount of reduction in picking :-) For example, I can happily look at my hands and see that only 3 out of 10 fingers have broken skin. I don't have any broken skin on my feet. It's exciting to see the skin start to heal. I give myself credit for that even though I'm still picking a fair bit... so every step you take, every strategy you try is a success and a step towards being better even if you have not been able to stop completely. The other thing is to remember that although the picking seems really big to you, other people probably don't notice so much. Simple strategies like band aides, gloves, hand cream have been helpful to me. I have also found it helpful to tell people that I trust about it and explain that I have this problem. It is good to have it out in the open and not a shameful secret anymore. The other thing that's helpful is finding out information about it and finding out that other people do the same thing. This website is good as is the Trich.org website. There are heaps of strategies on these websites and just try lots of things to see what works for you. I've also found that I have to get the energy out that comes up when I'm not picking out! For example, I like to dance even if it's just in my bedroom and I go to classes too. Definitely find a therapist, someone that you feel comfortable with and if possible someone who has professional knowledge of dermatillomania. Good luck!!

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