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Ariana , 25 Jan 2011

I'm doing it right now. Once I start, I can't stop.

It all started when I was 10 and I got acne for the very first time. For about 8 years, I would only pick at acne, because I was ashamed of how I looked. By the time I turned 16, I think I started picking my scalp due to stress...I was taking 2 AP classes which were very hard for me, and picking my scalp was a way to cope with the stressful exams I had to take...bear in mind that I had still been picking acne... By the time I turned 18, it evolved into something far worse. The stress from starting college must have had something to do with this too, because I started picking at almost every imperfection on my body. Acne, ingrown hairs, even just bumps that are just part of my skin...almost everything. Now I'm 20. And I'm currently picking my skin right now as I type this. And once I start, I cannot stop. A lot of times I do this subconsciously, too. I think I've been picking so many times, I'm just used to it...it's like breathing, I do it subconsciously now. Sitting in front of the TV, browsing the internet, even driving (but just with one hand) I will subconsciously pick. Then I notice what I'm doing. If I'm just touching my face then I can usually pull my hands away. But if I subconsciously dig my nails anywhere in my face...I can't stop until I'm done. I read somewhere online that people pick for three reasons: 1. They are unsatisfied with their "imperfect skin" 2. The picking behavior relieves their stress 3. They do it subconsciously when their hands aren't occupied. I believe that I pick my skin for all three reasons. Combined. I don't want to live the rest of my life with dermatillomania. Please. Help me.

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