is this true?

I think it depends on the person. One could not have had a trauma and still pick. I'm still trying to figure out the "origins" of my picking; I think some people are just predisposed to it, especially if they have a pre-existing skin condition. Personally, I had some abuse as a child; minimal, but also didn't feel emotionally supported by my parents. Add to that my highly sensitive nature, and perhaps that all led to picking? One very revealing question to me during online therapy was "How do you unwind?" and I really couldn't think of much.

I think abuse of any kind can trigger this disorder. Trying to control your out of control life perhaps? I had abuse issues in childhood as well as being very sensitive/intelligent. It;s a distraction when you pick from the pain of what is really bothering you. Helps your mind become numb. I have self actualization now if I can only deal with it and stop this once and for all!

picking occurs often when we fantasize about certain scenarios in our heads. scenarios that usually have a partial basis in reality. perfectionism on one hand can lead to a high frequency of such daydreams of as some people call them "tape recorder sessions". On the other hand, victims of trauma and abuse often relive the experience of relive a vengeance fantasy or a modified version of the incident in their minds, which would also fall into the category of fantasizing and lead to picking. so yes trauma and abuse can lead to pick but they are not always found amongst pickers.

Hi bas and all, this is the first time I've come across the connection between "fantasizing" and picking and am intrigued with learning more about the connection -- do you have any books, lit, that you'd recommend on this? I'd like to learn more. I think I could write short screenplays about the stuff that goes on in my head!! thx. c.a.

I was sexually, emotionally, verbally abused. I think (although I have not yet started therapy specific to this) it is because i feel im not good enough and pick at myself. I dont feel I deserve things, happiness, good things sometimes. I also noticed that picking lips is t smooth them out...i like smooth edges on almost anything, cars, houses, hard drives....and I want things to go smoothly all the time or I get uncomfortable (yelling makes me shake and I hate confrontations). I think there could be a connection. Then I also feel like I am taking bad dead skin off. And with the Acne - its feels so good to get that bad stuff out of me, like a clean release. So I am taking the bad things off/out fo me. People who have been abused usually have low self esteem and dont like themselves. This is a way of acting on the self hate and continuing the abusive behaviors that "feel right" because we beleive those people that said we were bad. I used to pick my moms cabs and skin when she peeled after a sunburn. Was I doing it to make her better? I used to pick at my ex boyfriends zits, I really thought I was helping him and I didnt want him to go out with white heads or black heads. I know a lot of overweight girls subconsciously build a protective barrier (the fat) between themselves and the rest of the world. They feel safe. I hav the opposite problem with food. Im thin (I am told this by everyone) but what I see in the mirror is fat and ugly. I know thats from being molested. It really screwed me up and until I understood why & what I couldnt really be aware and start working on it. Sorry this is so long but Ihope it helps :)