A fun way to stop picking

I can totally relate. I developed a 30/day Vicodin habit until my family did an intervention almost four months ago. My picking is now the worst it has ever been. I don't have any productive coping mechanisms to deal with my emotions. I used to pull my hair...I started picking as an alternative to that. Brilliant, right? I used to have violent outbursts, mostly screaming, throwing things, and punching holes in the wall. I started cutting as an alternative to that. When the cutting got out of hand, I started smoking; which, sadly, is the healthiest (and I use the term loosely) habit I have right now. It got to the point where my life was spiraling out of control and smoking wasn't nearly enough. That was when I turned to pills. There are a couple of things that have been somewhat helpful to me, but the key is you have to want them to work/help. I know it sounds stupid and senseless, but it's true. I also know that understanding things intellectually and processing them emotionally are two wholly different concepts, contrary to popular opinion. It's so much easier said then done, particularly in the mind of an obsessive-compulsive person. After all, I wouldn't be here in this forum if I knew how to translate "what I know" into "what I do". I don't know if that makes any sense, but it's the best way I can explain it. Anywho, the two things that have been the most effective for me are: 1) Handheld games: It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. I have tried several over the years. For me, Solitaire has worked the best. For some reason my brain processes Solitaire the same way it processes picking/pulling, or at least pretty close. Sudoku has also been somewhat helpful, but I have to moderate myself or I get too obsessed. I've tried the "game show" games, but they don't seem to have the same effect. Tetris was probably the worst. I absolutely love it, but it is way too intense, and it only increased my anxiety. 2) Acrylic nails: I have used acrylic nails on and off. Cost is usually the downfall. Try to find someone you are comfortable with and you trust to do quality work. Don't be afraid to tell them what you want. The girl I go to knows (and understands) my nails have to be thick. If they are thin enough that you can still pick, it defeats the whole purpose. Let me be clear, though: acrylic nails do not and will not stop you from picking, no matter how thick they are. We all know: "Where there's a will, there's a way". But it isn't a complete waste of time or money, and here's why: You can still pick, but with the thickness of the nails, you can't get the same result emotionally. You will probably keep trying, but most of the time you will just end up with bruises. After awhile, you will notice a significant decrease in your desire to pick. It's like retraining your brain by creating a situation where the behavior no longer produces the desired emotional benefits. The action is no longer cost-effective for the mind. Keep in mind, this is only what I've experienced. It may not work the same way for everyone else. This isn't a cure, it's a tool. This is also not a "quick fix", it's a process. It takes time and patience, but it's worth it.

Because I don't want you to end up with legs like mine, I wanted to warn you. Be careful about picking your leg hairs. I have been pulling out my leg hairs with tweezers for a couple years now and it started out just like you, with a smooth patch and it was so nice to be able to "pick" without causing damage. but i have since realized that pulling out hairs can leave the pores more susceptible to infection, and you can also get ingrown hairs. it may not be the same for everyone, but i became obsessed with ingrown hairs and now inspect my (horribly scarred) legs for ingrown hairs every day. i am so disgusted by myself, and i don't want you to risk ruining your own legs. maybe it's different for you, but i hope you will at least take this as a fair warning.

I started doing this too to redirect my energies from my nails and cuticles. I'd echo that it worked just fine for awhile, but eventually once I'd picked out all of the hair from an area I'd start obsessively looking it over for any signs of renewed hair growth. Eventually, I started using tweezers to dig under the skin for hairs. I ended up with red bumpy patches everywhere, and women started giving me (unsolicited) advice to avoid my "shaving rash." I also used to squeeze the roots out of areas where I'd tweezed. Yes, it's possible, and yes it leaves a mark.

Fun is the most important element of our life as necessary as water because it has great effects on our health. I mostly used music or online movies for this purposes. Letme watchthis letsmewatchthis.net and join4movies join4movies.info is my favorite sources for online watching. Many people remember the days when after the premiere of the new movie specified, the crowd burst into a movie theater, goes to the rent, buying CDs and videotapes. All this in the past, today the Internet offers great opportunities, and allows you to watch movies online of any genre and year. There are many advantages of such a view: there is no need to go to the cinema and wait in line for a ticket, and the sound quality of today's online innovations do not lag behind the official premiere, there is no need to purchase a CD, which can then be unneeded. If you wish, you can also download the movie to your computer and see at any time. The undeniable advantages in the home only cheer up, especially since no one will constantly walk, as is the case between the rows in the theater.