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goal orientated , 10 Aug 2012

mission begins today to quit dermatilomania after a decade

Hi. I'm an adult. Should know better. Even teach Psychology and always research treatments. But I have been struggling with wrecking my face for no less than ten years. Today I want to quit. The reason? People at home believe I will never make it. As a high achiever, I am gona try to succeed with my face. Yes i will keep relapsing. Yes I will keep getting up after the fall. Feel free to join the mission. I'm gonna make it by the time I marry my partner. Although he knows, I want to be a better version of myself. Goodlcuk to the rest of you too :) x x x
61 Answers
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olivegreen
August 31, 2012
Well, I'm working on a plan to quit like the website suggests. It says to take some time to plan first, and make sure you have things in place to help when urges hit. It suggests making a "quit date." That date for me will be September 12th, 2012. I too have been picking for easily a decade, and can't keep going. Good luck to you and know that you and I are in the same battle--I know we can do it :)
goal orientated
October 08, 2012
Great! How is your progress? I'm back on the first date today. This time with a more reflective plan i.e. a diary. I am trying the thirty day plan with a few others on this site. X
Iquitpicking
September 03, 2012
Hi goal orientated, I hope you're doing well. I am making the same resolve - quit picking - starting today, Sept. 3rd, 2012. I can't go a day longer as I will make more damages to my skin. I am avoiding family and friends this holiday weekend because I don't want anybody to see my scarred face - the habit is literally ruining my life. It's time, actually way pass the time, to stop. I am fully aware that the journey won't be easy, as I have tried many a times and haven't succeeded. But I am determined. Good luck to both of us. I'll come back here as often as I can to report my progress, and I'd love to know how you're doing. Best wishes.
lawnemtdude
September 06, 2012
hi all. I'm really depressed about my picking. Don't know what to do. Almost afraid to commit to quitting so I don;t have to fail again. Do any of you think this has anything to do with childhood memories?
Emmi
September 06, 2012
Its never failing, thats what yu need to remember, ever step you take is ALWAYS a step CLOSER to giving it up. It could have to do with childhood memories, it could be an anxiety issue, it could be procrastination, or even an Neurological/Chemical imbalance in the body, it could be a WIDE range of things. You've taken the first step to quitting, Asking for help. My suggestion, see your doctor, see what they think and then go from there. Once you know the cause, you will be able to find the solution :) Good Luck with your new journey :)
goal orientated
September 07, 2012
3 days of no picking; Hi all! Sorry for the delayed response on the site. I began a new job over the past month which has lowered my time here. Like one of you have correctly advised, I have a plan ready for scratching incase I accidently make holes in my face. This solution has been at hand so that there is hopefully no skin problem I cannot overcome; - Scars = Stri-vectin. New wounds = Rapid repair, Savlon (closes wounds without forming scabs). Acne = Night clearasil face wash and four hour clearasil spot treatment. Dried peeling skin = Bio oil (smooths dried scabs). Fresh blood = Fair and Lovely with multi-vitamins (whitens blood stuck in holes). Make up remover = Alpha H (for adult acne). Non greasy moisturiser = 99.9% Aloe Vera Gel (kills bacteria on the surface). To improve my skin health = Perfectil for hair, skin and nails. Bathroom habits = washing face without looking, in a timely manner. I live in London but these products are likely to be online.
just.me
September 09, 2012
Hi goal orientated, I've gone one day no picking so far, and it's really difficult, but usually I only go without picking for a day or two because I'm so busy that it doesn't cross my mind. This is the first time I've consciously made an effort to not pick in spit of having urges and I don't think I could have done it without reading your story and others like yours. Thank you! I just need to ask you what brand the rapid repair cream is as well as the stri vectin because I haven't heard of these products and I'm interested. Could I ask where you gett he multi vitamins too? I live in London as well, but I don't know where to buy most of these things. It would be a great help to me on my mission too! All the best ! xx
goal orientated
October 08, 2012
Hi justme, sorry for the late reply! I accidently gave up on trying but now I am back on this site :) Savlon rapid healing cream is a blue tube from small chemists. It is a wound healer without aloowing for scabs :) . Stri vectin is a pen for scars, that I got from knightsbridge, a few minutes away from the station. I cannot remember the large store's exact name... Think it was Harrords not John Lewis. It should be online, but it is outrageously costly and stngs if you have scratched. Lastly, the muli-vitimins Perfectil in no longer stocked at Holland and Barrats. Instead, go to boots. XXX
goal orientated
November 17, 2012
Hi Just-me, have u managed to find Perfectile for hair, skin and nails, froom your local Boots yet? They really help. Also Aloe Vera gel from Holland and Barrats should b cheper than about a tenner these days, due to the penny sale. Lastly, Bio oil sorts out the quality of damaged skin. Boots 5 ponds off sale rigt now xxx
brokenskin10
November 11, 2012
Hi. I'm an adult female. Was picking when I was a little girl. Hiding and picking, after I had been punished. I had bandaids all over my face in my school pictures. My family was concerned that the scars all over my forehead wouldn't go away.......But they have. They've stretched. So, I pick my arms, legs, face, head. They start so small........just a mark. Then I have to remove the scab, or the really dry part? As soon as the scap is hard and it's on your soft skin, OK. I took a shower today, and I don't believed that I have picked since3:00 p.m, I am touching scaps on my right arm, but I am not going to pick them. Hopefully, the other leg scab left, doesn't get any attention. Going to bed soon...........hopefully won't pick while I'm waiting to fall asleep.
goal orientated
November 17, 2012
Bio oil smooths out my scab. Then, if I still cannot refrain from picking the scab, i am assured that the end result is softer underneath and more controlled in terms of deep wounds, as the oil really does make the picking less deep. Have you tried it?? X
brokenskin10
November 11, 2012
Trying not to pick tonight. bandaides have helped. Getting out of the shower made me feel fresh, and that I didn't want to pick. Now...... I am feeling the hard scabs on my arm. Will use my will power not to pick tonight.
brokenskin10
November 11, 2012
Is there a group of us that want to go 30 days without scratching? It's hard to think that I could do that. Could we use special creams and dressings, Healing cream, medicine. Maybe I could try it. But I think that the time frame should be shorter, Thanks
goal orientated
November 17, 2012
Yes i think we could all try 5 weekdays. After a month we could include weekends to become progressively more challenging. Or ten continuous days till we reach 40days as that's how long it takes to repair. :( i'm depressed over my life.
hope2heal
November 13, 2012
I am trying really hard but it's not easy. I've managed to almost not pick my arms at all for perhaps a week... but i can't seem to go even a day without picking my face. So frustrating! Any help, support or advice much appreciated! xoxo
goal orientated
November 17, 2012
My wedding has been cancelled against our will, the inlaws have forced us to leave one another. Now who am I trying so hard to clear my skin for? What is the point... :(
goal orientated
December 12, 2012
Hi all. Quick update about my scratching - success! It has finally stopped forever, thank God. Xxx

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