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Just found this - thank god - I NEED HELP
Hi - I need help. I am literally in a state of anxiety right now and I can't take this anymore. I am in my late 20's and I have been picking my face for about 15 years. It's the most vicious cycle I know of and it's sad because people don't understand. I wonder what they think when one day my skin looks halfway normal and the next I have cuts and scabs all over... I am in a state of panic right now because my husband just took a beautiful vacation 2 weeks ago... when we left, my face was a disaster (as it has been since september when I started a new, stressful job)... I spent the whole week tanning because I love being tan and not having to spend an extra hour covering scars in the morning. When I got back, I made it a little over a week before the first picking episode. The first one wasn't too bad...the second was a little worse... and now, three weeks after vacation, I am as bad as I was previously. I have literally been trying to stop this for 15 years. I am so depressed and discouraged and mad at myself... I just don't know what to do anymore.... my face is red, blotchy, and there are open sores everywhere. It is humiliating. We had plans to go out tonight and now I am refusing to go. My husband tries to be supportive but he just doesn't understand. He tells me to "just stop," He tries to help and yell at me if I go into the bathroom for too long, but then I will just sneak in when he is sleeping or not home. I am just so devastated right now...I can't stop crying and I want to be positive and think "I can do this" but after 15 years of trying I am starting to think I cannot...
April 08, 2011
Hey I'm only 14 years old and I have had this picking problem since I was little. I don't know what causes it. My doctor has gave me things to help. But it did not. I pray to God everyday and ask for help. I feel relieved now that I know that I am not the only one with this problem. But I believe that we can get through this together...do you believe that to..??
May 17, 2011
I'm 25 and I started picking when I was about 9, but it only really took control of me when I was 12 or 13. When I was 20 I tried looking for help on the internet and all I found were websites telling me I was self-harming, which made me even more depressed! A year ago I decided to have a go at it once and for all and there are so many good and informing websites out there now to help. I think if you are really suffering with anxiety, the best thing is to see your doctor and start a course of CBT etc. I have found that making lots of little changes has helped me gradually improve: I keep a diary of my picking which helped me identify times I am most likely to pick. For me this is straight after work or before bed, so I turn the lights out during those times, and maybe light a couple of candles. Without being able to see I can't have a picking session. Also, using E45 cream helps smooth my skin so there is less to pick. I pick a lot of ingrown hairs too, so I'm looking at getting electrolysis. It's expensive but it's permanent, and if I remove the temptation to pick, my problem can only improve! I already have a good diet and do regular exercise, which are supposed to improve your mood, but actually I recently have taken up a team sport which I didn't do before, and it's given me a purpose to keep fit for, as well as a chance to spend time with a group of really friendly girls! Doing this sport I've noticed my mood swings that I get around my period have disappeared! I hope some of my suggestions can help, and I understand what you say about your husband, as my boyfriend has taken to slapping my hand away when I pick. I've explained but he doesn't take the time to understand. What he does only frustrates me, as I have to finish what I start!