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thrillerchild , 24 Dec 2010

New (old)Picker

Hi I'm Stephen, 27 years old, and I've been a picker for a very very long time now :( My main picks are scabs and my lips. But I do sometimes pick at peeling skin if I've had sunburn or whatever. I've only really just heard about Dermatillomania today and so many of the symptoms match my habbits :-/ Looking forward to making new friends who are going through the same thing.
9 Answers
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Emily_91
December 24, 2010
I know how you're feeling. I pick at my lips all day. Either with my fingers or teeth... And believe me people have noticed because I do it soo much. I have picture of me actually doing it lol... Not really funny but still. And this is pathetic but I sometimes wish I could get a sun burn just so I can pick the skin off... Pathetic but it's true.I've been picking since I was in 3rd grade and noticed it has gotten worse and moved to new areas over the past couple of years. But yeah I'm here to talk about it if you need to :) Maybe we can help each other?
thrillerchild
December 24, 2010
Thank you Emily :) Yeah I know what you mean about the sunburn thing. I've even picked my fiancée's sunburn peeling! :-/ But anyway, it'll be good to keep in contact and keep talking to each other and helping each other :) One thing that annoys the hell out of me is that earlier today and went to take a bite out of my sandwich at work, my bottom lip split! Which hurt obviously. Cos with the near constant scabs/picks on my lips there's no time to heal properly so the scabbing would be "tugging" onto the healthy skin on my lips :( I also have Psoriasis and when a plaque forms sometimes I pick at that which ultimately creates a scab...I think you can guess what's next :-/
Emily_91
December 26, 2010
Yes, I agree. My lips are always red and sore from picking 24/7. Same with my tongue... I didn't notice I was doing this until last night but my nose ring is infected and I keep picking the scab off of it. It has been infected for around 3 weeks now.I just thought it wasn't healing but it's because I'm preventing it from!! And while I was trying to sleep I actually managed to fall asleep without chewing on my tongue which is the same as picking. I was happy that I succeeded at it :D I've never talked to someone else who had the same problem so like you said it'll be good to keep in touch. :)
thrillerchild
December 30, 2010
I only managed to last two days before picking my lips again...going the whole hog and doing both lips and doing all the available scabs/picked areas :-/ It sure does help talking to fellow sufferers :) You on facebook at all? I don't mention it on there but that's good to just keep in touch in general.
Emily_91
January 07, 2011
Two days!! That's great! I could never do it so I'm impressed :) Yes, I am on facebook. Lemonshar91@yahoo.com. Don't ask where the email came from lol long story. But yeah add me and send me a little message :D Oh... sorry I took so long to reply.
kayleigh
December 30, 2010
Hello Stephen :) My name is Kasia, I'm 20 and I've been a dermatillomaniac since I can remember. I'm also neurotic. I pick at my lips, scabs (if there are any) and the skin around my fingernails, so I definitely understand what you feel. I posted a comment here some time ago and I can't find the thread now, but I wrote there that I'm trying to get myself together and make an appointment to a psychiatrist. I feel actually proud of myself that I didn't pass out on the phone;) but I did it! and my visit is on the 28th January. Best wishes to you!
Shorty999
December 30, 2010
Hey guys...it;s nice to find people who understand and can relate. This site is very comforting knowing theres others out there. Kayleigh---I too, would like to see a psychiatrist, but I don't respond to just anyone and Im tired of hearing "just stop picking"...it's not that easy, so I have avoided contacting a psychiatrist. Also, my boyfriend, who I live with, is such an anti-doctor / anti-medicine person and just says "It's all in your head." Well, yea, no crap...thats why I need help. Has anyone talked to the doctor on here? It's so expensive.
kayleigh
January 02, 2011
Hey! I made the appointment _because_ I was tired of hearing that I should stop ;) A doctor will never tell you that. I talked to my GP and she explained it to me - firstly, you shouldn't trust the first doctor you go to, it sometimes takes a few months just to choose the right psychiatrist with whom you'll feel a bond. Then, it takes a really long and hard way to get cured - but you end up healthy and happy, so it's worth it! I need to see the doctor because my dermatillomania is accompanied by a neurosis with already developed somatic symptoms, like occassional tachycardia, difficulty with breathing, trembling hands, globus histericus etc... I even started a blog where I'm going to write about my visits at the psychiatrist and explain my progress, if any (http://katayah.wordpress.com/). I'm hoping it will all finally come to an end, I'm so tired of my mind..
Shorty999
January 03, 2011
I sometimes get hives on my chest because I get myself so worked up with Im picking because I know I shouldn't be...does anyone else get this? It's like it's a panic attack.

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