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unpicker , 18 Sep 2012

Breaking a habit I've had for most of my life

I've been picking my skin now for most of my life. It started in the third grade when, at a very young age, I hit puberty. My face started to erupt with bumps, and pimples. It was my mom who first introduced me to the concept of picking my pimples. Since I had no other solution in dealing with this new and traumatic occurrence, I started to pick vigorously and still do to this day. I am now twenty years old and have tried EVERYTHING to quit. For a little while my mom tried paying me every day I didn't pick. I've also tried diets, exercise, expensive skin products and treatments, peals, affirmations, resolutions, covering all the mirrors in the house, friend support... the list goes on. Yet, I always give in to the powerful addiction. I am posting here because I want to try once again to give up this habit. This time I want to find a community of people who understand and will support me in the process. I want to keep a journal and try and notice what compels me to pick, what I am thinking when I start to do it. I want to think of something to take it's place. Something my hands can do to keep them engaged with something other than my pimples. I know this will be hard. The habit is deeply ingrained. But, I feel like if I could give up picking, then I could do anything. So starting now, I am going to to give it my all. I will be back to report my progress and experience. My resolution is to not pick for three days. If I can get through three days, then I will aim for a week. I hope to keep expanding my goal, but for now I need to start with something realistic and within my grasp. So here it goes...! If there is any advice people have, please share! I need all the help I can get.
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Emmi
September 18, 2012
Hi Unpicker, My names Emmi, I have been through the exact same that you are, although I haven't picked my skin my whole life, I use to pull out my hair, bite my nails and pick my lip, the skin picking happened during a seriously bad relationship, I used it as a way to deal with anxiety, Unfortunately It also gave my ex the chance to put me down more and cause more anxiety. I think finding the cause of your picking is a really great Idea, it will then give you more grounds on how to quit. Figuring out that my habit was from anxiety was really helpful, I started doing other things when I get anxious. It could be cause by a wide range of things. I have personally found exersize really helps with my picking, I hadn't picked for 6 months, untill I got shin splints 3 weeks ago and I have found I have started to pick again, Ill get in under controll, It comes and goes, You will get there, Even your average person picks at their skin occasionally. Good luck with your journey, I look forward to hearing about your results :)
unpicker
September 19, 2012
Hi Emmi, thanks for your response! today I spent a lot of time reflecting on my picking tendency. I noticed that my hands would find my face without me even realizing it and that I would begin to pick before I knew what I was doing. It seems to be an extremely ingrained subconscious habit. It isn't always triggered by anxiety or emotions, but it is extremely fulfilling and comforting and sometimes I will resort to picking when I'm having a hard time. Mostly though, it's something that I do when I'm thinking, bored, watching a movie, sitting around, or whenever my hands are idle. I will also use it as a distraction when I'm doing homework or other tasks that are difficult to focus on. So, I guess the best solution would be to make my self as busy and engaged as possible!
Emmi
September 19, 2012
Thats a really good Idea, I find I do that myself, my hands just find my face. Ive started putting like 4-5 coats of nail polish on, without buffing my nails, so the nail polish doesnt stick well and when I feel the urge to pick, I pick that off instead, I tend to use clear, that way its not obcious that I have chipped nail polish, It REALLY helps. also start to make your self aware of when you are doing it, and when you notice you are, force your self to stop. when you get the urges or are bored, find something that keeps your head entertained. and maybe rather then picking while your studying, you could try and tape your pen, your twirl it through your fingers.. Its quite entertaining and doesnt take alot of thought, but it keeps your hands busy :) Look it up on youtube "Pen Spinning Basics" Hope this has helped :)
unpicker
September 21, 2012
Emmi, thank you for the tips! You have some great ideas that I definitely want to try. Much appreciated! Just got through day three, which means I reached my goal!! And it was HARD!!! I think I'm ready to commit to another few days, but I feel like a week is still a big commitment, so I think I'll do another three days.
Emmi
September 23, 2012
Any time :) Im glad they are useful to you :) 3 days is a GREAT achievement!!! if you can go another 3 days thats fantastic!!! once you get there, commit to just 1 more day, then you will have gone a week :) But dont beat your self up if you relapse. Because we are only human, just pick you self back up and start again, because every time you try, is once step closer :)

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