I need help!!

Hi Kerry, I'm new to this site, but have been a skin picker for over 30 years. (I'm 44.) I still have an occasional episode, but for the most part, I'm pick-free. I think the most important thing to understand is that having the urge to pick, and picking are really two very different things. You may feel like the urge to pick is so strong that you will die if you don't act on it, but you won't. Do your best to resist the urge to pick. Do something relaxing. Breathe. Meditate. Hold onto squeezy balls. Write in a journal. Phone a friend. Play a video game. Take a nap. The urge to pick WILL pass. It's just a feeling and it will go away. Unfortunately, it will come back, and you have to repeat this process ad nauseum! Eventually, you'll discover that you're going longer and longer without acting on the urge. Eventually, you'll go for hours, maybe even days at a time. But for now, just take it one hour -- maybe even one minute! -- at a time! And one more thing -- don't beat yourself up for picking. Don't be embarrassed or ashamed. You haven't done anything wrong. Forgive yourself. It's okay. You're only human, and you don't have to be perfect. Not ever. Just do your best, and hang in there. :-) Tamara Tamara

Firstly your not crazy at all. I know it feels that way sometimes especially when people close to you dont understand and just expect you to stop. This condition has been the hardest thing I have ever been through. I am the same as you...I sit in front of the mirror for hours picking everyday and get so upset. I feel like I have ruined my skin. If I dont pick my face then I pick my chest or my bikini area. I have scared everywhere. Please dont be embarrassed to ask for help. I have spoken to my doctor about this for years now and she is so understanding and has never judged me. I now see a psychologist and it really helps. At first I was embarrassed but as soon as I started talking it was such a relief and they knew exactly what was going on for me. I am 24 this year and I have had enough of skin picking. when it has control of me i feel like your in a prison. Its so embarrassing to be seen by people that I start to lock my self away from the world and I do not want to spend the rest of my life like this. I have been given countless "tools" to try to stop this addiction and so far nothing has worked but I am getting there. The one thing that has helped me so much over the last 3 years has been exercising and eating healthy. I find that when I am feeling crap about what I eat and for not exercising I pick much worst. I make sure I exercise every day and eat really well. I am a personal trainer so I admit its helpful when you are helping people be more healthy. I feel more in control when I am healthy and active. I feel good about me self. Please dont be embarrassed to ask for help. Everyone has problems and this is our problem. It seems crazy to people who dont understand but its not. This addiction is just not as well known as eating disorders or drug or alcohol addictions but it is an addiction and people can help you. Talking about my problem really does help. Good luck and I hope you can overcome this hurdle in your life. x