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lovesparks88 , 07 Oct 2014

needing support from other skin pickers..

I'm very tired of skin picking, i feel like no one understands, no one ever will, I've never met anyone who skin picks at their skin, neither did my therapist, i truly think i need the support from you guys. i feel so a lone sometimes i don't even feel human..

7 Answers
Plug Puller
October 07, 2014

Believe me lovesparks, there are many of us like you! We're all in the same boat, - dermatillomania is more common that you think, only a lot of people keep it secret. I only just found out myself it is even a condition with a name! I was trying to find out what the things were that I was pulling out of my skin when I came across this website. It is a comfort to discover this forum and I am glad you have found it too - hope you will feel less alone

lovesparks88
October 08, 2014

In reply to by Plug Puller

that's why i feel the need to talk to other skin picking sufferers, i guess for a while i feel normal and its ok to have this condition and that i REALLY cant control it, because no one seems to believe that, not even my therapist. thanks for your support :)

PickMeUp
October 18, 2014

Hey lovesparks, I can relate. I just joined here and I'm looking for support and just to know I'm not alone in this. I just started reading "Forever Marked: A Dermatillomania Diary" and it's helpful to read someone else's story. I'm still partially in denial and I'm only starting to realize the extent to which this affects my life and is a real problem, and I cringe and partially shut down when forced to say or hear the word "picking" in therapy. I'm thankful my therapist is starting to understand and is willing to walk with me to figure this out together, but I really need to know I'm not the only one. I'm just looking for information right now I guess, and reading others' stories. I'd like to hear yours as well.

lovesparks88
October 28, 2014

In reply to by PickMeUp

hi pickmeup, yes we are not alone, i think this support group has helped a lot. no one could understand how skin picking feels, not my finacee nor my therapist. nobody did!
skin picking is ruining my life, i started doing it since i was a teen. i always wear lots of makeup, i don't feel pretty, i just feel damaged and not human.
but i still think i might be able to stop it, i try to every day, when i fail i get depressed and then pick my self up and try again, its been like that since i got to know dermatillomania. 4 years ago.
i think we can stop it, maybe it needs a lot of hard work, like we can train our selves on how to deal with our scabs. and what to do when we get stressed. i know its not easy, but maybe we can be strong enough to beat it.

AimeeMarie
October 20, 2014

Lovesparks88, I am 36 years old and I have been picking since I was a little kid. I thought it was normal for a long time. It wasn't until I was in my early 20's that I noticed that no one else around me picked their skin, chewed their lips/cheeks, tore their cuticles off. I was covered with scabs and scars and no one else around me was. It was then that I began to feel self-concious. Last year, I found out that what I was doing was actually a "thing", a disorder, a problem that others had as well and it had a name. Dermatillomania. I shared this with my partner and she helps me by pointing out when I am picking (or searching for something to pick) because frequently I don't even realize I'm doing it. I only brought this up to my therapist today. It seemed to shock her. I don't think I will be able to get any help from her. So I too come here for support and to feel like I'm not so alone and to hopefully find suggestions on how to quit. Don't feel alone. We're here.

lovesparks88
October 28, 2014

In reply to by AimeeMarie

hey AimeeMarie, when i first came here i didn't know that talking to people here , when i don't even know them at all, is going to be such a relieve..
yes we are here, we are not alone and i know we will get better, just never lose hope, and i always like to think about it as a blessing or a test just to grow me into a stronger person.
my therapist suggested a practice for me to do everyday, if i see a scab or a pimple or anything i have the urge to pick at. i will mark it as today's challenge not to pick it, and will sit in front of the mirror for half an hour or so and look at it and experience the feeling of wanting to pick at it, but making the choice not to. its sounds so hard i know, i haven't done it yet. hope it works

lovesparks88
November 11, 2014

skin picking update,
i haven't had a major episode since 1.11.2014 which is huge for me.. hope i can stay strong!

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