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ladygaladriel , 14 Apr 2010

New here, need help

Hi, I just joined here at the recommendation of a friend. I am 19 years old and I have been picking my fingers since my teens, as far as I can remember. I pick my fingers and eat the skin, I pick my nails and chew on them. I pick them to serious bleeding. More often than not I have to wear bandaids. I am addicted to the pain. When it gets so bad I can't function or sleep, I put bandaids around them really tight so that I can't feel it as much. But...if I don't feel the pain I feel like I need to, if that makes sense. I do it anywhere, home, work, with friends. I used to pick my scabs. I don't get too many scabs anymore, but I know I would pick them if I got them more. I have tried numerous times to stop. Quite often, I succeed for a few weeks - even months at a time. I use clear nail polish to strengthen and nourish my nails. My hands start to look normal and then...I don't know what happens!!!!!!! I binge without even knowing it! In one day my hands are disgusting things again! This has been a cycle for years. What do I do?
5 Answers
cherrycolalola
April 14, 2010
First let me say welcome! Congrats on joining up with a support group. Have you tried tracking your behavior. Writing down every time you go at your hands? Sometimes making yourself conscious of exactly when you are doing it can help. Needing to feel the pain makes sense. Im addicted to the endorphin rush that comes with it. I mainly pick acne, so Im not sure Im the best person to give you advice, but maybe you can start by reading old posts on the forum that relate to finger picking. Props again for trying to get help. Glad to have a new person!
cherrycolalola
April 14, 2010
First let me say welcome! Congrats on joining up with a support group. Have you tried tracking your behavior. Writing down every time you go at your hands? Sometimes making yourself conscious of exactly when you are doing it can help. Needing to feel the pain makes sense. Im addicted to the endorphin rush that comes with it. I mainly pick acne, so Im not sure Im the best person to give you advice, but maybe you can start by reading old posts on the forum that relate to finger picking. Props again for trying to get help. Glad to have a new person!
ladygaladriel
April 18, 2010

In reply to by cherrycolalola

Thanks for the suggestions! Unfortunately, I pick so often that it's hard to track. I know I have anxiety issues, I just don't know what to do about them. It's so nice to hear that you understand the addiction thing. I've never been addicted to anything, so realizing the other day that I am truly addicted not just to picking but to the pain it brings is hard. Thank you.
socialkittn
April 16, 2010
I'm new here too and I must say it's nice to hear I'm not the only person in the world with this issue. People always make empty suggestions like "get a manicure" but I don't think they understand that having nice nails isn't the issue lol. Honestly I don't know what the root of the problem is. When I binge, I'm usually feeling super anxious or stressed out. Even as I'm writing this I find myself picking at my fingers! Things that sometimes work for me: bandaids wearing my "carpel tunnel guard" at work constantly making sure my hands are moisturized using a file to get rid of the rough edges Having people notice - this embarrasses me making me stop for about a week before something kicks in again
ladygaladriel
April 18, 2010

In reply to by socialkittn

I know! Every time I get stressed I pick! But...I'm stressed most of the time, lol. And yes! I wear bandaids all the time! I pick alot at work and I am constantly having to run back to the manager's office and ask for bandaids. I hate it! I have tried wearing loud nail polish to "shame" me into it but that doesn't help for long, either. But thank you, thank you for your support! I am so glad to hear that I am not alone!

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