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semisweetsara , 23 Apr 2010

The Promise Bracelet

Hey everyone, First, I just want to say I am so glad to have found a place where I can seek and give support to others dealing with dermatillomania. I've been struggling with this for years (as a child I had trichillomania, compulsive hair pulling), and over the years it has evolved into skin picking. I had a breakdown recently, and today I'm deciding this madness has to stop. I need to feel normal again, and not live in shame and embarassment. I talked to my dad about how I wanted to change things, and my dad suggested I get a symbolic bracelet as a visual reminder to myself of my commitment to changing my life and being better to myself. I haven't bought the bracelet yet, but tomorrow I will get one and use it as a promise to: 1. Love myself 2. Stop being my own worst enemy 3. Not punish myself if I slip up, but continue on in the best manner 4. Remember that everything will be okay 5. Find something fun to do (something to distract me from picking at my face) 6. Remind myself that I deserve BETTER than this 7. Remember all the people that love and support me and want me to stop hurting myself 8. Remember the feeling of shame and embarassment that I will experience if I pick 9. Pray to God for inner peace and the willpower to stop 10. To calmly step away from the mirror (the simplest, but often, hardest thing to do sometimes) These are only a few of the mantras I will be telling myself, but there are so many more. I encourage you all to try this, whether it's a bracelet, ring, or anything else that visually reminds you of your commitment to be good to yourself. Please let me know if there are any other tips or "mantras" to inspire you to stop skin picking. I encourage you all to try this with me, and we'll see the power of the bracelet.
5 Answers
40daysfromnow
April 23, 2010
That's an awesome idea! Give your Dad a hug for me lol. Now I want to go buy a nice bracelet asap! Thanks for sharing that!!! I wish you the best. You CAN beat this!
semisweetsara
April 23, 2010

In reply to by 40daysfromnow

When I see him I will :) He's my biggest supporter with my personal problems and just gives me so much love and never makes me feel like there is something "wrong" with ME, but that there is something wrong with what i'm doing. I hope you buy a lovely bracelet that reminds you of how special you are and helps you deal with your own issues, as I will be dealing with mine. Let me know how your journey goes too! And thanks again for the support, you have no idea how helpful it is!!!
Hevskitronic
May 18, 2011
Hi all. Newby here! Is there no designated colour bracelet for Derma sufferers? X
Fateh
May 18, 2011
Hi Semisweet Sara, Actually, I'm sure you are 100% sweet! I'm a picker and a yoga & meditation teacher, 39 years of age. I work full time, but I also teach about addiction recovery - and specifically about how to treat and change habits and patterns. This is my first time coming to this board. I liked your story very much, and the points you have made. Certainly you are loved, and that love starts within with point #1. This is where all healing begins. In many ways your point also reflect the 12AA steps, and also join nicely with yogic teachings on healing, consciousness, God and self-empowerment.... I was also touched and encouraged to respond when you mentioned having mantras to recite, among these other points. I teach a lot about mantras, I practice them a lot, and find they are very soothing to the body and mind. Please see my post about "40 Day Medical Meditation Treatment". The meditation I will be teaching and showing others in a few days will has a mantra associated with it, and I hope that you will take the "challenge" to try this meditation for 40 days and chant the mantra with me.... Will power is certainly one method, but in my experience, a hard one to rely upon... Why not direct your will power towards the discipline to practice a meditation that in turn does the work for you behind the scenes, on the centers in the brain relating to OCD, and on the subconscious mind? I hope you will join me in practicing this holistic therapy - which I will post up in a few days.... Very best to you on your journey. Truly Yours, Fateh

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