Dermatillomania (sorry a bit gross!)
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I strated to do this off and on, for about a year now. I had a few bug bites on my wrist, and I kept on scratching and scratching them, until they looked like two wide gashes, I had to put band-aids on when I went to work, and as soon as they would start to heal, I start scratching, 'cause it itched. Eventually, I stopped, by keeping them covered when I was awake, as a reminder not to itch. but it's left two scars I can still see...almost looks like I was 'cutting' myself, though I have never been a cutter. I also had this odd allergic reaction, and did the same thing on parts of both legs, to the point it bled. I went to a dermatologist numerous times, had shots, some cremes, and an oral med, an antihistamine, I think.
Even now, one of the patches on my leg is healing, and I have the urge to go at it. It doesn't help that I bite my nails, so they get really sharp edges/barbs.
So you're certainly not alone...I think a Dr is the best bet, and also a therapist for the underlying emotional issues, and impacts this has.
Even now, one of the patches on my leg is healing, and I have the urge to go at it. It doesn't help that I bite my nails, so they get really sharp edges/barbs.
So you're certainly not alone...I think a Dr is the best bet, and also a therapist for the underlying emotional issues, and impacts this has.
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Hi Husky! Yes, this is so terrible and so compulsive! I have so many scars on my body it blows me away. I am a cutter, too, and I've really made a mess of my arms this last time. I picked at the cuts (trying not to go into detail here) and now they're a big mess. I've started putting vit D on, a friend said it might help break up scar tissue.
Therapy is definitely a good place to look at all of this.
Therapy is definitely a good place to look at all of this.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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Uh oh
I have this in multiple forms - scalp, acne, scab, nose. I will pick at any bump and often not even consciously. It is awful! I started showing signs of this very young and never heard of this dx until today!! Here I came to look at my issues with worrying over to this sub section and find out maybe my intensity of worrying paired with this means an interesting discussion with my counselor as maybe I have been dealing with major anxiety all of my life?
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Hi CodeJob! I guess there are quite a few of us who suffer from this condition. I only know one person in "real" life and others try to understand but really don't. They just see it as weird, how can I do that to myself? Well, if I had the answer, I'd probably stop, lol. It definitely seems to be anxiety related, maybe part of OCD. I'd be interested in what your counselor says about it.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
Hi all,
So glad this topic was brought up - at the same time very sad to see there seem to be a few of us suffering from similar problems.
I have been picking my skin (face and sometimes chest) compulsively since the age of 15. I am now 31. I never suffered from acne, the occasional spot like any teenager, but "normal" picking and squeezing of spots soon developed into a very destructive obsession with any perceived irregularity on my skin, resulting in scabs, scars and eventually also varying degrees of social avoidance. Before the skin picking I was obsessed with my hair, spending hours to make it look perfect, creating symmetry. I also obsess about facial and body hair (don't have excessive facial or body hair, but have developed a routine of removing it as part of my BDD, which on my face creates a problem as hair removal makes me get spots...)
In my twenties I was diagnosed with BDD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder, similar to and often experienced together with OCD (I have also, with age, become an obsessive cleaner). Picking my skin is a form of "anxiety controlling mechanism", which temporarily eases stress and anxiety, only to make things worse in the end. It is a viscous circle. I think it has a lot to do with internalising negative influences and suppressing them, being unable or unwilling to deal with them in other ways. In my case it is also related to perfectionism and unattainable expectations and high demands on myself, in all aspects of life.
Paradoxically, while picking your skin until it bleeds may seem a very out of control thing to do, to me the skin picking is a lot about control, getting rid of imperfections (although they are of course becoming more noticeable) and shutting out difficult emotions and thoughts. A way to escape, like drinking. From what I understand, compulsive skin picking/BDD and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand, as they have in my case. Alcohol has been a way for me to momentarily escape my compulsion to pick and my high demands and negative feelings regarding my appearance, only to make things much worse the day after.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and habit reversal therapy has been the only type of treatment with which I have had some improvement. But it is not until now, when I've committed to recovery - realising that I need to deal with the negative patterns of thinking and the destructive actions that follow in a more holistic way, that I feel I have the motivation and strength necessary to achieve change. I feel I am on the right path, but I have a long way to go. Like alcoholism, compulsive skin picking and BDD is something you need to learn how to live with, I don't think it can be "cured" once and for all.
Quitting drinking has been helpful, in terms of making me more stable mentally and able to deal with underlying issues, but it has also made things worse in this initial stage of my sobriety. I feel more restless, and when I do, I pick.
I hope my story can be helpful to someone else. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, S
So glad this topic was brought up - at the same time very sad to see there seem to be a few of us suffering from similar problems.
I have been picking my skin (face and sometimes chest) compulsively since the age of 15. I am now 31. I never suffered from acne, the occasional spot like any teenager, but "normal" picking and squeezing of spots soon developed into a very destructive obsession with any perceived irregularity on my skin, resulting in scabs, scars and eventually also varying degrees of social avoidance. Before the skin picking I was obsessed with my hair, spending hours to make it look perfect, creating symmetry. I also obsess about facial and body hair (don't have excessive facial or body hair, but have developed a routine of removing it as part of my BDD, which on my face creates a problem as hair removal makes me get spots...)
In my twenties I was diagnosed with BDD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder, similar to and often experienced together with OCD (I have also, with age, become an obsessive cleaner). Picking my skin is a form of "anxiety controlling mechanism", which temporarily eases stress and anxiety, only to make things worse in the end. It is a viscous circle. I think it has a lot to do with internalising negative influences and suppressing them, being unable or unwilling to deal with them in other ways. In my case it is also related to perfectionism and unattainable expectations and high demands on myself, in all aspects of life.
Paradoxically, while picking your skin until it bleeds may seem a very out of control thing to do, to me the skin picking is a lot about control, getting rid of imperfections (although they are of course becoming more noticeable) and shutting out difficult emotions and thoughts. A way to escape, like drinking. From what I understand, compulsive skin picking/BDD and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand, as they have in my case. Alcohol has been a way for me to momentarily escape my compulsion to pick and my high demands and negative feelings regarding my appearance, only to make things much worse the day after.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and habit reversal therapy has been the only type of treatment with which I have had some improvement. But it is not until now, when I've committed to recovery - realising that I need to deal with the negative patterns of thinking and the destructive actions that follow in a more holistic way, that I feel I have the motivation and strength necessary to achieve change. I feel I am on the right path, but I have a long way to go. Like alcoholism, compulsive skin picking and BDD is something you need to learn how to live with, I don't think it can be "cured" once and for all.
Quitting drinking has been helpful, in terms of making me more stable mentally and able to deal with underlying issues, but it has also made things worse in this initial stage of my sobriety. I feel more restless, and when I do, I pick.
I hope my story can be helpful to someone else. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, S
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Louisville, Ky
Posts: 435
Wow this is very interesting! I have always picked scabs as long as I can remember, of course its never ending because you pick at a sore its never gonna heal so you keep picking. Ive never thought much about it til now. An Mid I chew the inside of my mouth too, Ive been doing it since I was a teenager, even my son does it. Ive chewed until it hurts, but still cant stop. Im not AS bad about the chewing as I was but I still do it. Ive always thought it was stress that caused me to chew my mouth, but I pick the scabs simply because they are there 
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Orion spur of the Milky Way galaxy
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Originally Posted by Sobreia 
Hi all,
So glad this topic was brought up - at the same time very sad to see there seem to be a few of us suffering from similar problems.
I have been picking my skin (face and sometimes chest) compulsively since the age of 15. I am now 31. I never suffered from acne, the occasional spot like any teenager, but "normal" picking and squeezing of spots soon developed into a very destructive obsession with any perceived irregularity on my skin, resulting in scabs, scars and eventually also varying degrees of social avoidance. Before the skin picking I was obsessed with my hair, spending hours to make it look perfect, creating symmetry. I also obsess about facial and body hair (don't have excessive facial or body hair, but have developed a routine of removing it as part of my BDD, which on my face creates a problem as hair removal makes me get spots...)
In my twenties I was diagnosed with BDD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder, similar to and often experienced together with OCD (I have also, with age, become an obsessive cleaner). Picking my skin is a form of "anxiety controlling mechanism", which temporarily eases stress and anxiety, only to make things worse in the end. It is a viscous circle. I think it has a lot to do with internalising negative influences and suppressing them, being unable or unwilling to deal with them in other ways. In my case it is also related to perfectionism and unattainable expectations and high demands on myself, in all aspects of life.
Paradoxically, while picking your skin until it bleeds may seem a very out of control thing to do, to me the skin picking is a lot about control, getting rid of imperfections (although they are of course becoming more noticeable) and shutting out difficult emotions and thoughts. A way to escape, like drinking. From what I understand, compulsive skin picking/BDD and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand, as they have in my case. Alcohol has been a way for me to momentarily escape my compulsion to pick and my high demands and negative feelings regarding my appearance, only to make things much worse the day after.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and habit reversal therapy has been the only type of treatment with which I have had some improvement. But it is not until now, when I've committed to recovery - realising that I need to deal with the negative patterns of thinking and the destructive actions that follow in a more holistic way, that I feel I have the motivation and strength necessary to achieve change. I feel I am on the right path, but I have a long way to go. Like alcoholism, compulsive skin picking and BDD is something you need to learn how to live with, I don't think it can be "cured" once and for all.
Quitting drinking has been helpful, in terms of making me more stable mentally and able to deal with underlying issues, but it has also made things worse in this initial stage of my sobriety. I feel more restless, and when I do, I pick.
I hope my story can be helpful to someone else. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, S
So glad this topic was brought up - at the same time very sad to see there seem to be a few of us suffering from similar problems.
I have been picking my skin (face and sometimes chest) compulsively since the age of 15. I am now 31. I never suffered from acne, the occasional spot like any teenager, but "normal" picking and squeezing of spots soon developed into a very destructive obsession with any perceived irregularity on my skin, resulting in scabs, scars and eventually also varying degrees of social avoidance. Before the skin picking I was obsessed with my hair, spending hours to make it look perfect, creating symmetry. I also obsess about facial and body hair (don't have excessive facial or body hair, but have developed a routine of removing it as part of my BDD, which on my face creates a problem as hair removal makes me get spots...)
In my twenties I was diagnosed with BDD - Body Dysmorphic Disorder, similar to and often experienced together with OCD (I have also, with age, become an obsessive cleaner). Picking my skin is a form of "anxiety controlling mechanism", which temporarily eases stress and anxiety, only to make things worse in the end. It is a viscous circle. I think it has a lot to do with internalising negative influences and suppressing them, being unable or unwilling to deal with them in other ways. In my case it is also related to perfectionism and unattainable expectations and high demands on myself, in all aspects of life.
Paradoxically, while picking your skin until it bleeds may seem a very out of control thing to do, to me the skin picking is a lot about control, getting rid of imperfections (although they are of course becoming more noticeable) and shutting out difficult emotions and thoughts. A way to escape, like drinking. From what I understand, compulsive skin picking/BDD and alcohol abuse often go hand in hand, as they have in my case. Alcohol has been a way for me to momentarily escape my compulsion to pick and my high demands and negative feelings regarding my appearance, only to make things much worse the day after.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and habit reversal therapy has been the only type of treatment with which I have had some improvement. But it is not until now, when I've committed to recovery - realising that I need to deal with the negative patterns of thinking and the destructive actions that follow in a more holistic way, that I feel I have the motivation and strength necessary to achieve change. I feel I am on the right path, but I have a long way to go. Like alcoholism, compulsive skin picking and BDD is something you need to learn how to live with, I don't think it can be "cured" once and for all.
Quitting drinking has been helpful, in terms of making me more stable mentally and able to deal with underlying issues, but it has also made things worse in this initial stage of my sobriety. I feel more restless, and when I do, I pick.
I hope my story can be helpful to someone else. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs, S
And in the vicious circle/crazy thinking, for just that moment I truly believe that picking the scab will make it go away. Instead of the reality that picking it ensures its continued existence.
My picking got worse while using opiates, I'd hoped it would get a lot better in recovery. I think it's a little better but not as much as I'd hoped.
I also struggle with the sight of all the sores and scars on my skin, I don't want people to notice or comment. It's fairly shameful feeling and I don't like others drawing attention to the scabs/sores and my embarrassment.
What is even worse is I am a cutter and my last intense cutting I wound up picking so now I have big, long, noticeable, purplish scars down my arms. Ugh!
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
Originally Posted by Lyoness
You bring up a lot of good points. Picking is definitely stress relieving for me, if I am anxious about something my hands automatically start going to my scabs. I don't think I have BDD, but maybe I do, who knows, I just know that seeing the scabs bothers me and sorry for the pun, gets under my skin. I just have to pick it and make it go away.
And in the vicious circle/crazy thinking, for just that moment I truly believe that picking the scab will make it go away. Instead of the reality that picking it ensures its continued existence.
My picking got worse while using opiates, I'd hoped it would get a lot better in recovery. I think it's a little better but not as much as I'd hoped.
I also struggle with the sight of all the sores and scars on my skin, I don't want people to notice or comment. It's fairly shameful feeling and I don't like others drawing attention to the scabs/sores and my embarrassment.
What is even worse is I am a cutter and my last intense cutting I wound up picking so now I have big, long, noticeable, purplish scars down my arms. Ugh!
I recently started treatment with an SSRI medication, and am starting a new round of CBT, with group therapy, habit reversal training and mindfulness meditation, at a specialist unit for anxiety and compulsive disorders (thankfully it is covered by social insurance, the benefits of living in a Scandinavian country...) I am a little better at the moment, but this tends to go in cycles, and I never know when I will have another "picking fit", which sets of another viscous circle of picking at the resulting scabs...
I will keep you updated on the treatment and share any advice I might have. I hope I can help others in some way. Be kind to yourself Lyoness. Hugs
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western Canada
Posts: 540
Hi. I pull out my hair, which I think is similar to picking. Heck, I'll get in a pick now and again too, but my main thing is my hair. I've been doing this since I was 12; I'm 43 now. It gives me a feeling of such calmness and release (literally, as the hair is coming out), which, like alcohol, is only temporary, and is followed quickly by guilt and intense shame. In fact, I am much more ashamed of my hair pulling (trichotrillamania) than of my drinking. I've been sober for 292 days, and my pulling has gotten worse, if that's even possible. Now that I am sober, I'd really like to tackle this hair pulling beast. I've tried all kinds of counseling and medication, and nothing has worked so far. Then I just get so angry with myself for not having the willpower to stop.
Oh, I also deal with depression, anxiety, ocd, and panic attacks. Lol. Fortunately, those things sre pretty much under control now, and being sober really helps! Thanks for letting me share.
Oh, I also deal with depression, anxiety, ocd, and panic attacks. Lol. Fortunately, those things sre pretty much under control now, and being sober really helps! Thanks for letting me share.
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Orion spur of the Milky Way galaxy
Posts: 2,050
Originally Posted by Sobreia
I am very sorry to hear you are suffering from this and I can feel your pain - I really can. The shame and remorse can be overwhelming, having the "evidence" of the pain you feel inside so visibly exposed.
I recently started treatment with an SSRI medication, and am starting a new round of CBT, with group therapy, habit reversal training and mindfulness meditation, at a specialist unit for anxiety and compulsive disorders (thankfully it is covered by social insurance, the benefits of living in a Scandinavian country...) I am a little better at the moment, but this tends to go in cycles, and I never know when I will have another "picking fit", which sets of another viscous circle of picking at the resulting scabs...
I will keep you updated on the treatment and share any advice I might have. I hope I can help others in some way. Be kind to yourself Lyoness. Hugs
I recently started treatment with an SSRI medication, and am starting a new round of CBT, with group therapy, habit reversal training and mindfulness meditation, at a specialist unit for anxiety and compulsive disorders (thankfully it is covered by social insurance, the benefits of living in a Scandinavian country...) I am a little better at the moment, but this tends to go in cycles, and I never know when I will have another "picking fit", which sets of another viscous circle of picking at the resulting scabs...
I will keep you updated on the treatment and share any advice I might have. I hope I can help others in some way. Be kind to yourself Lyoness. Hugs
And I really look forward to reading about how your treatments work. It sounds like it's a really multifaceted approach which would probably lead to a lot better results. I envy the socialized medicine, though am extremely fortunate to have Medicare/medicaid, and for the life of me cannot understand why my fellow United Statesians are against it!
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Originally Posted by Sobersunshine
Hi. I pull out my hair, which I think is similar to picking. Heck, I'll get in a pick now and again too, but my main thing is my hair. I've been doing this since I was 12; I'm 43 now. It gives me a feeling of such calmness and release (literally, as the hair is coming out), which, like alcohol, is only temporary, and is followed quickly by guilt and intense shame. In fact, I am much more ashamed of my hair pulling (trichotrillamania) than of my drinking. I've been sober for 292 days, and my pulling has gotten worse, if that's even possible. Now that I am sober, I'd really like to tackle this hair pulling beast. I've tried all kinds of counseling and medication, and nothing has worked so far. Then I just get so angry with myself for not having the willpower to stop.
Oh, I also deal with depression, anxiety, ocd, and panic attacks. Lol. Fortunately, those things sre pretty much under control now, and being sober really helps! Thanks for letting me share.
Oh, I also deal with depression, anxiety, ocd, and panic attacks. Lol. Fortunately, those things sre pretty much under control now, and being sober really helps! Thanks for letting me share.
I'm really glad I started this thread, there are a lot more of us out there than I thought. And since we all experience so much shame around this it is wonderful to have a place to talk with other folks who know what it's like.
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Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 36
I pick at my skin too, sometimes to bleeding point. Acne most of the times. What I do now is to cut my nails really short, so my fingers can't do damage.
When I was a teenager, I pulled my hair out by the roots a follicle at a time. Today I have some bald spots where it never grew back. Too bad I wasn't pulling at the bikini area, lol.
I have stopped criticizing myself for not being perfect. I have been in recovery over a long time. I have relapsed, picked myself up and gotten back on track. I don't know if the skin picking, hair pulling, fingers cracking (current) are OCD. I am going to work on them as I notice them, and discuss them with my dr as they become problematic. Right now I am wearing a rubber band one of my friends gave me. Each time I crack my fingers, SNAP! I go. Associating pain with the habits seems to help slow down the progression of the habit.
Ymmv
When I was a teenager, I pulled my hair out by the roots a follicle at a time. Today I have some bald spots where it never grew back. Too bad I wasn't pulling at the bikini area, lol.
I have stopped criticizing myself for not being perfect. I have been in recovery over a long time. I have relapsed, picked myself up and gotten back on track. I don't know if the skin picking, hair pulling, fingers cracking (current) are OCD. I am going to work on them as I notice them, and discuss them with my dr as they become problematic. Right now I am wearing a rubber band one of my friends gave me. Each time I crack my fingers, SNAP! I go. Associating pain with the habits seems to help slow down the progression of the habit.
Ymmv
Night owl
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Join Date: Oct 2012
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Hi gigi, I've heard of the rubber band thing too, though haven't tried it yet. Hair pulling and skin picking are definitely related, trichotillomania and dermatillomania. I don't know why but knowing the "official" names helps me, makes me feel less alone. Let us know how what your doctor says and how the rubber band treatment works.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
Hey all,
Hope you are doing well. Just wanted to post a little update, hopefully it can be helpful in some way.
I started taking an SSRI medication on May 30, for dermatillomania, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), OCD and related depression and anxiety. I am starting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (in group) in August at a clinic that specialises jn these type of disorders. I feel the SSRI has helped, in relieving the urge to pick, helping me break picking sessions, and relieving anxiety, stress and depression. The first two weeks on the medication made things worse, which is normal.
I've been picking my skin compulsively since my early teens, am 31 now (have posted more about this above). After being diagnosed with BDD and dermatillomania I have read a lot about each condition (they are related), and learnt a lot about it. One book that I can recommend is "Overcoming Body Image Problems: A self help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques", even if you don't suffer from BDD, this can be very helpful in understanding body focused disorders, and how to deal with them. A good site: http://www.stoppickingonme.com/
From what I understand, dermatillomania is often related to OCD or BDD, or both. http://www.ocdla.com/mobile/compulsi...and-treatment/
Since two weeks I have been swimming each morning, for an hour and a half. Earlier I would have been very hesitant to do something like this, incapable at most points, out of embarrassment for the state of my skin after picking, afraid of being exposed in that way. It required quite a lot of determination on my behalf, forcing myself to do this to break the cycle of picking and isolation. It has been immensely rewarding. Not only does it give me confidence to be able to do this, but I also realise that a situation I thought I wouldn't manage is actually not that difficult to handle. The water seems to help my skin heal and while I am swimming I am completely distracted from my negative thoughts and urges to pick. I feel I am much less stressed and tense, pick less and don't check my skin in the mirror as often.
I have read on a few sites about women with dermatillomania who has found that having acrylic or gel nails has stopped them from picking, causing less damage to their skin as the fake nails are more blunt. I am going to give this a try and will let you know how it goes. Have also read about people setting a timer when they are in the bathroom, to limit "mirror time" and thus opportunities to pick on the face. I normally don't pick my skin as much when I am not in front of a mirror. I will give this a try too.
Having stopped drinking (sober for 78 days) has definitely helped, although I picked more during the first weeks.
Please feel free to get in touch if you want to talk more about this.
Hope you are doing well. Just wanted to post a little update, hopefully it can be helpful in some way.
I started taking an SSRI medication on May 30, for dermatillomania, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), OCD and related depression and anxiety. I am starting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (in group) in August at a clinic that specialises jn these type of disorders. I feel the SSRI has helped, in relieving the urge to pick, helping me break picking sessions, and relieving anxiety, stress and depression. The first two weeks on the medication made things worse, which is normal.
I've been picking my skin compulsively since my early teens, am 31 now (have posted more about this above). After being diagnosed with BDD and dermatillomania I have read a lot about each condition (they are related), and learnt a lot about it. One book that I can recommend is "Overcoming Body Image Problems: A self help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques", even if you don't suffer from BDD, this can be very helpful in understanding body focused disorders, and how to deal with them. A good site: http://www.stoppickingonme.com/
From what I understand, dermatillomania is often related to OCD or BDD, or both. http://www.ocdla.com/mobile/compulsi...and-treatment/
Since two weeks I have been swimming each morning, for an hour and a half. Earlier I would have been very hesitant to do something like this, incapable at most points, out of embarrassment for the state of my skin after picking, afraid of being exposed in that way. It required quite a lot of determination on my behalf, forcing myself to do this to break the cycle of picking and isolation. It has been immensely rewarding. Not only does it give me confidence to be able to do this, but I also realise that a situation I thought I wouldn't manage is actually not that difficult to handle. The water seems to help my skin heal and while I am swimming I am completely distracted from my negative thoughts and urges to pick. I feel I am much less stressed and tense, pick less and don't check my skin in the mirror as often.
I have read on a few sites about women with dermatillomania who has found that having acrylic or gel nails has stopped them from picking, causing less damage to their skin as the fake nails are more blunt. I am going to give this a try and will let you know how it goes. Have also read about people setting a timer when they are in the bathroom, to limit "mirror time" and thus opportunities to pick on the face. I normally don't pick my skin as much when I am not in front of a mirror. I will give this a try too.
Having stopped drinking (sober for 78 days) has definitely helped, although I picked more during the first weeks.
Please feel free to get in touch if you want to talk more about this.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
I forgot to mention one thing:
I don't have a lot of spots, I get occasional outbreaks, often before my period, but any little pimple (however small) can set off a vicious cycle of picking that leaves my face with scabs for weeks, and scars. In order to try to clear my face, and feel that spots are being extracted without me physically removing them, I have started using a tretinoin (0.05%) cream prescribed to me by a dermatologist. This is also supposed to help a little with the scarring.
One big word of warning for skin pickers: this cream will make you break out at first and makes your skin very thin and sensitive (red and peeling) which can make your picking, and the damage it creates, much worse! However, getting over that initial phase, I feel it has helped a little. I get less spots, and psychologically it is helpful as I can (sometimes) stop myself from picking at a spot thinking the cream will take care of it. I also hope (even if I don't expect too much) that it will help some with the scarring and bad texture.
Aside from this, I really do think that the most important remedy is trying to change the way we look at ourselves, think of ourselves and treat ourselves, with or without spots. No cream will help us do this.But thought I might just share this information too, just in case someone finds it helpful.
I don't have a lot of spots, I get occasional outbreaks, often before my period, but any little pimple (however small) can set off a vicious cycle of picking that leaves my face with scabs for weeks, and scars. In order to try to clear my face, and feel that spots are being extracted without me physically removing them, I have started using a tretinoin (0.05%) cream prescribed to me by a dermatologist. This is also supposed to help a little with the scarring.
One big word of warning for skin pickers: this cream will make you break out at first and makes your skin very thin and sensitive (red and peeling) which can make your picking, and the damage it creates, much worse! However, getting over that initial phase, I feel it has helped a little. I get less spots, and psychologically it is helpful as I can (sometimes) stop myself from picking at a spot thinking the cream will take care of it. I also hope (even if I don't expect too much) that it will help some with the scarring and bad texture.
Aside from this, I really do think that the most important remedy is trying to change the way we look at ourselves, think of ourselves and treat ourselves, with or without spots. No cream will help us do this.But thought I might just share this information too, just in case someone finds it helpful.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
I also had an idea: perhaps those of us suffering from skin picking/hair-pulling and similar disorders could try to quit together, start on the same day and take one day at the time? In a similar way we count the days of being sober we could count the days of no picking/pulling? If anyone is interested please let me know.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
I have found this information helpful, in terms of understanding dermatillomania (as OCD) and how to deal with it: http://hope4ocd.com/foursteps.php
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: London, UK
Posts: 148
Many posts today...
In the book Overcoming Body Image Problems (see above) I found an exercise which I found helpful in understanding the "history" behind my OCD/BDD/dermatillomania, and thus becoming less critical of myself for having these problems, helping me put them in a context:
Think of your life/condition as a flower:
1. At the root are genetics/biology. Does anyone in your family have OCD/BDD/dermatillomania?
2. At the bottom of the stem is early life experiences. Were you bullied or neglected as a child, or did something else happen that could have made you more vulnerable and less able to cope with stress now?
3. At the top of the stem is personality. Are there aspects of your personality that make you vulnerable? For example, have you always had an anxious temperament, had low self-esteem, been a perfectionist etc?
4. At the middle of the flower is the condition (OCD/dermatillomania/trichotillomania) and the leaves of the flower are triggers (i.e. mirror checking, social avoidance and isolation, ruminating, self-criticism, emotional control etc)
5. Above the flower is a cloud, this represents negative life experiences (abuse, divorce, accidents etc) and lightning, representing the adverse effects.
In the book Overcoming Body Image Problems (see above) I found an exercise which I found helpful in understanding the "history" behind my OCD/BDD/dermatillomania, and thus becoming less critical of myself for having these problems, helping me put them in a context:
Think of your life/condition as a flower:
1. At the root are genetics/biology. Does anyone in your family have OCD/BDD/dermatillomania?
2. At the bottom of the stem is early life experiences. Were you bullied or neglected as a child, or did something else happen that could have made you more vulnerable and less able to cope with stress now?
3. At the top of the stem is personality. Are there aspects of your personality that make you vulnerable? For example, have you always had an anxious temperament, had low self-esteem, been a perfectionist etc?
4. At the middle of the flower is the condition (OCD/dermatillomania/trichotillomania) and the leaves of the flower are triggers (i.e. mirror checking, social avoidance and isolation, ruminating, self-criticism, emotional control etc)
5. Above the flower is a cloud, this represents negative life experiences (abuse, divorce, accidents etc) and lightning, representing the adverse effects.
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