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bobydob , 14 Mar 2011

does anyone else have this sensation when they pick ...its march 13th 2011 btw. lol. x

ok, where shall i start...? i have three main picking patches on my scalp, two on my right shoulder, three down my spine, one actually in my belly button, then one on the left side of my bikini line area, and then two either side of my buttocks right at the join to my legs...then ive got one on my right cheek, one under my chin on the left, and then theres my ears!! and my nose!! ok, the reason ive told you all the sites is because of this: the initial place of picking is the inside of my nose, which im convinced ive got hair or some major crust that needs to come out, which starts my ears itching so i pick, convinced that a major crustacian is going to come out and it will all go away...then my scalp starts, and i can pick deep crators into the top of my head, and pull off flakes that resemble small cornflakes, as soon as one scabs is removed it makes another one somewhere completely different on my body more accessable or ready to pick off...it also feels like they are ALL connected, and as i pick from one site to another, i can start making my stomach make all kinds of gurgling noises, which then in turn makes another picking site "ready" or "ripe" i use anything and everything to assist with this digging, mutilating of the various areas, including tools such as, cotton buds, knives, pins, screws, sand paper, creams, insides of pens, dental cleaning tools, oh cos i forgot about the teeth thing too...it feels like im getting hair from between my teeth and from the back of my throat.. the whole procedure or ritual can take me anything from one hour to a whole day, and i get great pleasure from doing this, but i know its not right and im wondering if i actually have a mental disorder that should be addressed i would never ever have admitted this to anyone before i saw this site, and im really hoping that you are all not going to think im making it up or mentally insane...this really is what i do!
10 Answers
nomorepickingplease
March 17, 2011
hello. I think maybe no one has commented because they don't identify with the feeling you are describing? I am sure we share lots in common since we both pick but the specific feeling you are talking about isn't something I have experienced. I hope you can feel supported here - I don't think anyone was ignoring you on purpose!
bobydob
March 20, 2011

In reply to by nomorepickingplease

thanks so much for gettin back to me...i have to say that the reason my sensations are soo much more intense than others is because im a drug user, and these urges are brought on massively when i use. i obviously have some kind of mental, or personality disorder..i was beaten and abused by my ex partner and have no self confidence whatsoever and this is a kind of relief, .. in a way..its self harming...i know i need to stop..and im sure as soon as i stop the drug use, ill stop the picking, not completely, but definatley not as intense as i do at the minute! i also hope i can feel supported here, and im glad i found this site....its a shame we cant have profiles so we can see each other and share other aspects. hope to hear from you again soon xx
waylander
March 20, 2011

In reply to by bobydob

it sounds like you're going through a rough time, my heart goes out to you! i think cocaine can give you weird skin sensations, it think its called formication, my brother used to have a bad time of it when he was using. i don't think you're mad! I don't get the same sort of intense feelings you describe, but i do understand that uncontrollable urge - worse when i'm not in my right mind, upset about something, or been drinking, or feeling crap about myself. I hope you can feel better soon!
bobydob
April 10, 2011

In reply to by waylander

thanks so much for your kind words waylander....im now using an emolient cream prescribed by my doctor to try to curb the picking, hmmmmmmmmmmm ...we wil see lol. x im also addressing ALL my personal problems which hopefully will have a knock on effect to my habitual compulsive picking....fingers crossed.xx i hope you too, can feel good about yourself and we can resolve our problems...good luck to you. x
lexyw
March 21, 2011

In reply to by bobydob

hi! ok so combining drugs with this has got to be a serious factor in how trapped you feel. that makes a lot of sense. I've been reading this book and I was thinking you might really like it. it's called "pearls" by Christina s. pearson. it's meditations for recovery from hair pulling and skin picking!! when I saw it online I yelped out loud at how perfect it sounded. and it is!! I read it every night before bed and sometimes when I wake up. it helps to calm me and feel hopeful and positive for the day. sucks you live so far away from San Francisco. but if I find anything there that could help you I'll be sure to pass it along! good luck today!
lexyw
March 17, 2011
i don't think you're mentally insane. mostly cuz even though i don't feel the exact same way, i can completely empathize with the underlying impulses and urges. from what you're describing, it might be good to research trichotillomania? or, i just learned this abbreviation "BFRB" - body focused repetitive behavior. i'm not sure where you live but there's a conference coming up at the end of April in San Francisco, CA. it's for trich but the schedule has a lot about BFRBs in general. if you can swing it, i bet you'll feel a lot better getting information and meeting people who have the same issues. and, like i said, i don't know the feeling of feeling like i have to get hair out of my teeth per se, but i certainly can "feel" a clogged pore just sitting on my nose untouched. good luck, try to stay positive!!
bobydob
March 20, 2011

In reply to by lexyw

hey lexyw, thanks so much for your reply...im gonna look into the BRFB right now, cos that does sound interesting. im in london uk, so unfortunalty the conference is a no go for me, shame..but hopefully with your support and others on this site, i should be able to sort something out...i desperatly need to. !!
bobydob
April 10, 2011
elissa ive brought my post to the top so that you can read it...
elissa
April 18, 2011
haha o dearrr that just gave me major urges to pickkkkk .. not that i havent been all day .. but yeah .. i do see what ya mean how its not just loaclised .. not just one place like some people where its because of acne or whatever but it isnt its juusstt sensations and compulsion to pick one place after another. ahhh

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