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why do I do it?
Hello,
I'm 20years old and I've been picking the skin on my face for about 5years. I dont know why I do it, I just do it and it makes me feel horrible.
I haven't had any sleep last night, I always get scared at the results of the usual "last night picking", you know what I mean.. While i'm typing this, I have toothpaste on my face so I won't pick it again.. sounds very silly and stupid does it? I don't wanna go out because i'm ashamed of my skin. It isn't always this way, sometimes I just stand for even as long as an hour in front of the mirror, picking all of the slight imperfections on my skin and instead of "fixing" them, I ruin my face. I know I would have a pretty good skin if I just wouldn't pick it, that is why this is so frustrating and I feel stupid and weak because I cant control myself the very least in this case. This is a neverending picking cycle for me, when finally the skin on my face heals, I know I'll do it again.
I need to stop.
How?
June 25, 2009
Ah, it's dreadful isn't it? I know for a fact that I have almost perfect skin if I do not pick.
Alot of us do, it seems. I'm not sure how I'd be able to help you, seeing as I'm in the same boat, but I would advise that instead of trying to stop picking once you have begun, avoid entering the situation that you know would tempt you to pick. I would say that instead of trying things like elastic band slapping and things like that, i.e pain to stop your picking, practice positive affirmations instead. When you are getting angry with yourself for picking and feel guilty and angry, stop and release that. Take a deep breath and tell yourself that it's alright, and that you are worthy of having nice skin, and more importantly, loving yourself.
I've found that the more I focus on the fact that I have a problem, the worse my picking becomes. I know it's the hardest when you feel badly about your skin, but get out, get busy, retain your social life, and do not let this make you feel unworthy.
Best of luck to you!
June 27, 2009
ive been picking everything except my face though since i can remember. its insanely hard to stop. ive been trying. and failing. although lately ive been doing it slightly less. before i was probably picking for 5hrs a day or more possiblly...now im about two hours. not great yet.. but the way i did it was just by excersing, writing, relaxing, dealing with painful memories, and not sleeping. and music.
what i would say to do is just not look in your mirror as much. give urself guidelines. and spend more time for yourself, doing things you enjoy so you stop thinking about picking. like, if you play an instrument, or you like to run, or you like reading, or just being on the computer...idk. haha .just SOMETHING BESIDES picking. its really hard...but im hoping it's possible. also, see someone. like, a physciatrist. =p
June 27, 2009
another thing i forgot to say is that ive been told that you have to figure out why you do it.
and theres popular causes like abuse? emotional, physical, and sexual.
i was two out of three.
if you are... that may be why. and maybe you just have to deal with some unresolved issues.
July 01, 2009
Hello, i have been picking...destroying my face and any other skin on my body i can reach, i assumed nobody else did this, i can get into a trance and become obsessed with picking and its seriously destroyed me i stay in more so than going out so nobody can see it, im depressed for years, ive made so many excuses but its because i am destroyed by this picking its gross but i cant stop...past relationships iv been obsessed with picking my boyfriends skin and my present relationship im still at it its horrible and i really need to get help im already on anti-depressants but its not stopping...please please help...its been 9years now ;(
July 07, 2009
its not stupid, i do the toothpaste too... i just find it amazingly awesome that someone else does it too