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Myro , 21 Jun 2013

Does anybody else have it really bad? I mean REALLY bad?

I have hundreds of scars littering my body and face, and constant little red marks and scabs varying in size from a pinpoint to a quarter. I have been doing this shit for the last 7-8 years and have turned a beautiful body into pure embarassment. I don't hang out with my friends anymore and I hide myself from my family. I have lost the ability to form meaningful relationships because of it, and am putting myself on a path of isolation and depression. All I want to do is let my skin heal, but I can't manage to do the easiest possible thing in the world - nothing. Now I'm a mid twenties guy who people probably think is a crazy meth head, and I just feel like destroying myself even further. I had a great life and body, was good looking and confident as well as friendly and outgoing, and just a few years later I am secluding myself, hidden behind an embarassing sheen of violent self-indulgence. I'm thinking about uploading some pics to hear some outside thoughts, but honestly don't think I can bring myself to face the embarassment. The depression is mounting and the hope is dwindling. Part of me believes I can rebound, but a bigger part of me does not. It's so hard to think to myself "I just wish I was the person I was 5 years ago." I want to be back out at the beach, in the pool, playing basketball in short sleeves, even just being okay wearing short sleeve t-shirts would be nice. You know how hard it is to justify wearing long sleeve t-shirts when it's 80 degrees outside? I want to be done with it. I crave the sunlight, but am too embarassed to go out and get it. I dream of being isolated on an island for a couple years where I can just let my skin recover and come back to living a normal life, making friends and seeking love. That brings me to another point - Women. A couple things... First, this forum and this mental sickness seems to be heavily dominated by women. I've lurked here ever since finding out about CSP, and have noticed it is like 90% women. That makes it even more embarassing for me. Second, women are the single most amazing thing in this life, and above everything else that CSP has destroyed for me, the drive and ability to meet women and form new relationships is completely gone. I was once extremely confident, funny, and happily willing to embarass myself it meant making a girl laugh. Now I'm just too embarassed to even open a conversation, or to bother continuing one. The thought of taking my clothes off around a girl now makes me quiver, and that it is such a depressing thought, because women are incredible and I was hoping to meet the right girl and build a family one day. Now it seems like I've dug myself an impossible hole to climb out of. I don't know where I'm going with this. I feel like I could write forever just because it is keeping my hands busy while I watch tv. I guess I was just wondering if anyone else out there has it really bad, because this shit is depressing and I don't get to talk with people about it, ever. My family doesn't really know how bad it is, and I've been driving my friends away by ignoring them because I'm too embarassed to go out and hang out with them.
5 Answers
sunshinefunk
June 22, 2013
There is hope! I met my husband and we both pick, it's not impossible. People want to help. What have you tried?
Myro
June 23, 2013

In reply to by sunshinefunk

Well thank you mysterious and funk (I find it kinda funny you both have sunshine in your name!), I really appreicate the kind words. I'm trying to deal with it. It comes in waves, like unexpected pits and valleys, deep lows and bright highs. That has an interesting effect - it seems to make it really difficult to deal with while also making it bearable. I've never been examined for mental health problems but I'm almost positive I'm dealing with deep levels of Bipolar Disorder and OCD. The waves that I describe seem to control everything. I can go a week thinking about how wonderful everything is, and then bam...out of nowhere, dig myself deep into a state of depression. It's really strange, it almost feels seperate from the person that I feel I really am. I don't know how to describe it, hopefully you get what I'm saying. Anyway, thank you for being so nice. Also, this forum has no paragraph break capalities? What's up with that?!
MysteriousSunshine
June 22, 2013
Hi Myro...I can completely understand your feelings about picking and its horrible consequences. Been there. Done that...and unfortunately continue to at times. There are a few things that I want to recommend to you. Firstly, you must tell someone in person about your picking and how its affecting your life. A doctor would likely be the best person to tell. I have picked for over 20 years and just told my doctor and husband LAST year. Honestly, it was a huge relief. I felt like they understood and are supportive. We pickers need that. This issue can absorb and sometime ruin your life. But...there are ways to conquer it. Secondly, find a skincare method that works for you. At least if the acne/bumps are minimized then there is less of a chance that you will pick. For me, I have found that the Garnier Pure Solutions line (I'm in Canada) has really helped control my acne. Oh, and one other item is to practice yoga and meditation. It REALLY helps as it allows you to settle your mind and relax. I wish you the very best of luck. Be kind to yourself. Tomorrow is a new day. :) M
Myro
June 23, 2013

In reply to by MysteriousSunshine

Well thank you mysterious and funk (I find it kinda funny you both have sunshine in your name!), I really appreicate the kind words. I'm trying to deal with it. It comes in waves, like unexpected pits and valleys, deep lows and bright highs. That has an interesting effect - it seems to make it really difficult to deal with while also making it bearable. I've never been examined for mental health problems but I'm almost positive I'm dealing with deep levels of Bipolar Disorder and OCD. The waves that I describe seem to control everything. I can go a week thinking about how wonderful everything is, and then bam...out of nowhere, dig myself deep into a state of depression. It's really strange, it almost feels seperate from the person that I feel I really am. I don't know how to describe it, hopefully you get what I'm saying. Anyway, thank you for being so nice. Also, this forum has no paragraph break capalities? What's up with that?!
MysteriousSunshine
June 24, 2013

In reply to by Myro

Glad to offer support! Not sure if I mentioned, but I honestly didn't know until the last few years that others suffered from this. I thought that I was all alone. These boards allow us to communicate, share our feelings and struggles. Your comment about the highs and lows with skin picking is absolutely the same for me. I could have a great day at work, come home, lock myself in the bathroom and pick - and then spiral into a depression because I'm so ashamed of what I've done. It is definitely something to think about prior to picking, but it can be difficult to stop. When the healing has been done, life is great again. Yes, skin picking definitely contributes to mood swings, that's for sure! Well, I do wish you the very best of luck and am happy to offer any advice or support to you. Good luck. :) M

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