Compulsive Skin Picker?!
Question: Compulsive Skin Picker!?
Hey, im 17 and for about 3 years now ive been picking and pulling at the skin on my face regularly!. Most of the time it would get so bad that i couldn't leave the house and i would shut my self up and avoid contact with even my family!. I have been going through a rough time over the past three years and i suppose i delt with it by wrecking my face!. The strange thing is i care about my looks and i am a very attractive girl but i still seem to self mutilate!. I go into a trace-like state and can sit less than an inch away from the mirror picking and squeezing at every tiny imperfection i can see until my skin is blotchy, red swollen and sometimes bleeding the ironic thing is i would have perfect skin if i just left it alone!. My life has slowly got better but i still do it sometimes out of habit, i see a counsellor but i have not told her or anyone about it i am too embarrassed!. I would like to stop it for good because it sounds silly but it has almost taken over my life!.
Has anyone got any tips on how to stop!? No horrible comments please!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Has anyone got any tips on how to stop!? No horrible comments please!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Hi,
I'm 28 and have the same problem!. When I'm under stress I pick at my skin, but what has helped me is to do a relaxing exercise!. In the last few weeks I've hardly picked at all and I've been doing it (picking) for the last 7-8 years!.
The exercise is that you sit down and look at five different things around you!. Say the things out loud or in your head (it feels kinda stupid talking out loud to yourself!.!.!.)!. For example: I see a tv, a dvd-player, a cellphone, a pillow and a remote control!. The you close your eyes and listen, and concentrate to hear five different things like: I hear the tv, the computer buzzing, my own pulse, the humming of the fridge, the neighbour in her apartment!.
This exercise helps you focus on the now instead of the anxiety you are having and it distracts your thoughts!. It has helped me a lot!.
Please talk to your counsellor about this, it is her/his job to help you and they will be able to give you more advice on how to deal with this problem!. If you are afraid they will think it is a minor issue, remember, if it is a problem to you then it is a real issue that should be dealt with!.
I wish you the best! Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm 28 and have the same problem!. When I'm under stress I pick at my skin, but what has helped me is to do a relaxing exercise!. In the last few weeks I've hardly picked at all and I've been doing it (picking) for the last 7-8 years!.
The exercise is that you sit down and look at five different things around you!. Say the things out loud or in your head (it feels kinda stupid talking out loud to yourself!.!.!.)!. For example: I see a tv, a dvd-player, a cellphone, a pillow and a remote control!. The you close your eyes and listen, and concentrate to hear five different things like: I hear the tv, the computer buzzing, my own pulse, the humming of the fridge, the neighbour in her apartment!.
This exercise helps you focus on the now instead of the anxiety you are having and it distracts your thoughts!. It has helped me a lot!.
Please talk to your counsellor about this, it is her/his job to help you and they will be able to give you more advice on how to deal with this problem!. If you are afraid they will think it is a minor issue, remember, if it is a problem to you then it is a real issue that should be dealt with!.
I wish you the best! Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Skin picking is usually anxiety related!. It can also become a habit, like anything else!. I'm sure your therapist has talked with people who pick their skin and will be able to help you deal with this!. It won't get any better if you don't talk about this in therapy!. I know it might be a hard thing to discuss! Take a look at your stressors in life and see what things are adding to your anxiety!.
I wish you the best,
BuckWww@Answer-Health@Com
I wish you the best,
BuckWww@Answer-Health@Com
I found that cutting your nails helped a bit!. I also find that using a rubbing motion whenever you put finger on face instead of nails helps too - I like to pick at my scalp as it feels a funny sensation but don't over do it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't have any answers!. My boyfriend does exactly this and I he doesn't know why he does it!. Its a type of OCD!. Maybe its a form of self-punishment!? I smoke to punish myself, cos I know I'm harming my body!.
It'll be interesting to see what other people think!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It'll be interesting to see what other people think!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
bring it up with your counsellor they will know exactly how to help, with my experience i found to just lay it all on the table if you want help and it does helpWww@Answer-Health@Com
Dermatillomania (also known as compulsive skin picking or CSP) is an impulse control disorder characterized by the repeated urge to pick at one's own skin, often to the extent that damage is caused!. Episodes of skin picking are often preceded or accompanied by moments of tension, anxiety, stress, or paranoia!. During these moments, there is commonly a compulsive urge to pick, bite, itch, or scratch at a surface or region of the body!. The regions most commonly affected by this are the face, back, scalp, chest and extremities such as the hands, feet, and arms!. Symptoms most commonly expressed in these areas are swelling, scarring, and callusing due to damage to the affected region's epidermis!.
In the face of these symptoms, most sufferers feel and recognize a need to stop the process but are physically and mentally unable without aid!. Additionally, the development of said symptoms is very similar to the expression of trichotillomania, or the compulsive pulling of hair from the body!.
Often dermatillomania sufferers find that their disorder intereferes with daily life!. Plagued by shame, embarrassment, and humiliation, they will take measures to hide their disorder by not leaving the home, wearing long sleeves and pants in summer, and heavy make-up use for coverage!. The disorder is typically found among females more than males!. Causes and treatments: The inability to control the urge to pick is similar to trichotillomania!.[1] Recent research suggests that, like trichotillomania, dermatillomania may be an impulse control disorder!. This is part of the obsessive compulsive disorder spectrum!.[2]
Some sufferers feel that "picking off" pimples or skin abnormalities may rid them of these flaws and help them look more "normal!." They feel the pimples they have are not like those of others, but abnormal!. In these cases, skin picking may be a symptom of body dysmorphic disorder!.[3]
Few mental health practitioners have studied the disease, as many of these cases go unreported, but some individuals have found relief through cognitive-behavioral therapy!. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis and meditation have also proven useful for some patients!.[citation needed] They are also sometimes prescribed medications, such as those prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder!.
In some cases, removing the major "abnormalities" in the skin may be of some use, particularly if the problem is confined to a particular area such as the feet!. In this case, applying a solution consisting of 3% or less of hydrogen peroxide and bandaging the area tightly for several hours will allow most of the dead skin to slough away, leaving a relatively smooth surface that may be protected by a physical barrier from picking for the few days until healing is complete!. Solutions of 10% hydrogen peroxide or greater can significantly damage skin !.
References: http://www3!.interscience!.wiley!.com/cgi-b!.!.!.
^ http://www!.brainexplorer!.org/ocd/OCD_Rel!.!.!.
^ http://www!.btinternet!.com/~david!.veale/b!.!.!. Use a form of occupational therapy, to keep your mind busy!. See OCD (section 7) & anxiety (section 6; view page N first) at http://www!.ezy-build!.net!.nz/~shaneris A suggestion, for when you catch yourself doing this!. Carry a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional!. It is a habit, which can be unlearned, preferably by replacing it with another, such as worry beads, or a stress ball, etc!. This may take 30 - 40 repetitions, to establish, or try habit reversal therapy!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
In the face of these symptoms, most sufferers feel and recognize a need to stop the process but are physically and mentally unable without aid!. Additionally, the development of said symptoms is very similar to the expression of trichotillomania, or the compulsive pulling of hair from the body!.
Often dermatillomania sufferers find that their disorder intereferes with daily life!. Plagued by shame, embarrassment, and humiliation, they will take measures to hide their disorder by not leaving the home, wearing long sleeves and pants in summer, and heavy make-up use for coverage!. The disorder is typically found among females more than males!. Causes and treatments: The inability to control the urge to pick is similar to trichotillomania!.[1] Recent research suggests that, like trichotillomania, dermatillomania may be an impulse control disorder!. This is part of the obsessive compulsive disorder spectrum!.[2]
Some sufferers feel that "picking off" pimples or skin abnormalities may rid them of these flaws and help them look more "normal!." They feel the pimples they have are not like those of others, but abnormal!. In these cases, skin picking may be a symptom of body dysmorphic disorder!.[3]
Few mental health practitioners have studied the disease, as many of these cases go unreported, but some individuals have found relief through cognitive-behavioral therapy!. Hypnosis and self-hypnosis and meditation have also proven useful for some patients!.[citation needed] They are also sometimes prescribed medications, such as those prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder!.
In some cases, removing the major "abnormalities" in the skin may be of some use, particularly if the problem is confined to a particular area such as the feet!. In this case, applying a solution consisting of 3% or less of hydrogen peroxide and bandaging the area tightly for several hours will allow most of the dead skin to slough away, leaving a relatively smooth surface that may be protected by a physical barrier from picking for the few days until healing is complete!. Solutions of 10% hydrogen peroxide or greater can significantly damage skin !.
References: http://www3!.interscience!.wiley!.com/cgi-b!.!.!.
^ http://www!.brainexplorer!.org/ocd/OCD_Rel!.!.!.
^ http://www!.btinternet!.com/~david!.veale/b!.!.!. Use a form of occupational therapy, to keep your mind busy!. See OCD (section 7) & anxiety (section 6; view page N first) at http://www!.ezy-build!.net!.nz/~shaneris A suggestion, for when you catch yourself doing this!. Carry a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional!. It is a habit, which can be unlearned, preferably by replacing it with another, such as worry beads, or a stress ball, etc!. This may take 30 - 40 repetitions, to establish, or try habit reversal therapy!.
Www@Answer-Health@Com
You need to tell your councler i'm positive there is medication you can take for this I used to do this to the point i couldnt go outside my face and arms would be so gross i wore long sleeves even through the hottest summers it was awful i don't do it so much any more once in a blue moon i catch myself in the mirror so i stay away from mirrors except to get ready in the morning!.Also meth users do this if your not on meth great if you are quit!.and make sure to talk to your couciler about it GLWww@Answer-Health@Com
I kind of know where your comming from!. I always pick at any loose bit of skin on my face or the flesh around my thumb nail untill it bleeds!. I also cut and bang my head!. When i feel the need to harm i rub ice on that patriclar area -i dunno why but it works!
and sometimes i just write everything i'm feeling on a piece of paper then ripp it into shreds or i go and run untill i can't feel my legs!.
it sounds a bit crazy, but it really does make you feel sooo much better! :]
it also important you speak about that with your counciller!. after all, "a problam shared is a problam halved!"!.
good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com
and sometimes i just write everything i'm feeling on a piece of paper then ripp it into shreds or i go and run untill i can't feel my legs!.
it sounds a bit crazy, but it really does make you feel sooo much better! :]
it also important you speak about that with your counciller!. after all, "a problam shared is a problam halved!"!.
good luckWww@Answer-Health@Com