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Thread: I'm a Picker

  1. #1
    Featured Member NatalieFRPhilly's Avatar
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    Default I'm a Picker

    Ever since I was young like 11 or 12, I have always picked everything, ever scab, and I've popped every pimple. I feel that it's linked to anxiety but if I take anxiety medication would that stop it? It's frustrating because it takes things longer to heal, and when I get zits on my face I pick at them and then have to cover that up with makeup and it just doesn't get better. I have tried really hard to just have self control but ...well that didn't work. Any ideas?

  2. #2
    Glamazon
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I'm a picker, too...I don't know what it stems from. Hell, I'll even pop my friend's pimples.

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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    Same here. Sometimes, if i go out and buy new face wash make up ect ect it helps me think of a "fresh start" and i treat my face and pimples better. I do not even get bad zits but i pick them till they get big scabby and crusty! I like picking friends whiteheads too im gross!
    I have been doing kinda good recently..hang in there try to motivate urself by buying new stuff.

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    Featured Member Sinder's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I pick, but not pimples....I pick, peel and bite my nails. I have done it all my life and I don't know why. I'll even bite at acrylics! I do not however pick at anyone else!LOL! I think it maybe some form of OCD...?

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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    There was a thread a while back that linked ocd and picking together. I pick more when stressed and feeling like shit.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I'm a picker in recovery. I'm getting better at it, especially when it's on my face because I keep yelling at myself "stop it!" when I find myself doing it. It's hard but I think you can train yourself out of it. It's not like you're doing it at work or in front of people, so you can stop the urge. it's when you're alone that it strikes. Strange how that works.

    Sometimes I'd get acrylic nails (I find it harder to pick with them) or tan it off when my skin got out of control. I know you already do that stuff, Nat, so I don't know what to say. Sometimes I'd wear gloves.

    I'm completely recovered in nail biting (gave it up at around 24). I think it's possible to beat it if you want to bad enough.

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    Member BeccaBoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    Wow! I always felt like I was the only that couldn't keep my hands off my face. The one time I had acrylics, I think it got a little bit better. Don't know what to say to help you, but I've always thought it might be a little bit of OCD, too. I was able to stop biting my nails years ago, but thats a little different.
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    God/dess Vyanka's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    get fake nails.

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    Featured Member mina loy's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    i love picking and popping zits, whiteheads, blackheads, and the things that are somewhere between blackhead/whiteheads/zits (they're firm and yellowish). i gladly offer my services to others if they need anything popped. unfortunately, as it's so satisfying, it's hard to stop. even the terrible scars don't deter my fingers from my face.
    ack!

    as for stopping nail-biting, i stopped when someone told me about all the gross bacteria and germs that are under your nails.

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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    It's called dermatillomania and yeah it's related somehow to ocd. It's also called Compulsive Skin Picking if you want to google more info on it.

    What works for me is to not look in the mirror and to not touch my skin. Like sometimes I catch myself just absentmindedly rubbing or stroking my skin and that's how I initially "find" stuff.

    I read on one of the sites that people who suffer from CSP typically have rather elaborate skin care/makeup routines. Yup, that's me.


  11. #11
    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I get so upset at myself when I do this. I have tried everything to stop, including taking the bathroom mirror out, but I still find a way. I have so many scars, but I just keep right on. I wish I could stop.
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    God/dess PaigeDWinter's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I never associated my picking with my OCD, since I can NOT do it. And I can function without doing it first. I was able to stop nail biting by getting acrylics. I wont mess with those. I think it's because my brain associates ruining them with money I cant afford to shell out every single time. Heh. I have yet to figure out how to stop picking at blemishes though. I dunno... I always associated picking with anxiety. My anxiety meds, however, did not stop it.
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  13. #13
    BrunetteGoddess
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I have this problem with picking acne, biting nails, and plucking hairs...

  14. #14
    Featured Member NatalieFRPhilly's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    It's good to hear I'm not the only one!

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    Featured Member NatalieFRPhilly's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I read up on a few sites and thank you LoveSexMoney for this information. I have other OCD habits but only little things like having to do with water and glass and plastic separation of things. I have extreme anxiety and I have been this way since I was very young. I am wondering what causes anxiety? My mother tried to send me to a therapist when I was young but I refused to talk about anything. Maybe I'll go now, but Paige you said that meds did not work. I should try to stop looking in mirrors all the time, I look into every reflective surface, always making sure that my makeup isn't smudged, I don't have a whitehead or something.

    I think I'll have to do what Emily said and just yell stop whenever I notice myself getting into that state of picking. I also do it on my arms legs back chest, anything that can be picked. I won't even notice it cuz I'll be thinking of something and doing that with my hands. I don't want to have permanent scars.

    We should have a support group on here. With awards for how many days in a row you can go without picking. I think my record is about three days so far. You girls are great, thanks for the info. It's been very helpful.

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    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    it's hard to stop! When I was younger, I'd find myself picking something before I even woke up. You know that state where's you're awake, but not really alert? I couldn't stop myself. I had to cover things wth band-aids while I slept. I don't really do that anymore though.

  17. #17
    Yekhefah
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    My OCD and my picking are definitely related; they get worse when I'm stressed. I pick at my lips and chew them, too. All I can do is try to stay clean and moisturized as much as possible so there's nothing to pick at.

  18. #18
    Featured Member Fawn's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    I like the idea of a support group. I actually wanted to go to an ocd support group here in austin a few months ago, but I decided not to, because if I ran into someone with that counting type of ocd ( conting steps o rhaving to touch surfaces a certain number of times) I'd want to slap them. I saw a show once where kids were even getting their family involved and making them do rituals.... I would end up smacking the shit out of my kids if they acted like that.

    But, face picking is different. And it only hurts you. Well, maybe not. My bad moods when I'm mad at myself for picking can sure turn into a nightmare for everyone around me. Yes, support group.
    " Remember during each test there is some girl in Australia jealous of you who wants to do what you're doing."- Lilithmorrigan

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  19. #19
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    my picking is not so bad now, but at one time it was to the point where i would do it in front of people and stuff in class, haha pretty embarrasing, sometimes i did not realize and other times i did.
    I had a touch of ocd when i was younger but it does not bother me now. I used to be the clean freak type when i was 12, like the guy from double dare.
    I may have some anxiety now, i cant relax and i let minor things wory me way too much i dunno.
    Also what helps me from not picking is to think of how great i will feel after i am showered and barefaced if i dont pick a zit. I love that feeling of putting fresh makeup on without having to worry about any pimples or scabs from my claws! keep that is mind also!

  20. #20
    Featured Member pinkpvc's Avatar
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    Default Re: I'm a Picker

    i'm really struggling with this atm.i pivk and bite not my nails but the skin around my nails. i am awaiting exam results, and have 3 programming assignments and an essay due in the next week and as a result my hands are bleeding and sore its terrible cos for nail biting you can use that bitter tasting stuff, but with other things its a self control thing.
    I think for me at least its an anxiety thing

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