i Dont Know how Much Longer i can take !!

I'm a 54 year old female who has been "picking & eating" since my teens. Yes, that's right, approximately 40 or more years now! How disgusting is that? I finally admitted that I have a serious problem, the skin picking and eating scabs is so far out of control I have scarred my navel, upper arms and my legs beyond belief. I had abdominal surgery in 2002 and my navel is still infected from scab picking 6 full years later. Now I'm actually acting on this terrible addiction as some very close friends of mine got together when I was away on vacation to discuss it and when I returned did an "intervention" so to speak. I was so embarrased and ashamed of myself that I am actually making the first step to do something about it. It has been the hardest and loneliest thing I have ever had to do in my entire life. I have told my health care provider and have asked to be referred to a mental health facility for an in-patient program, not only to deal with this issue but obviously others like low self-esteem, binge eating, compulsive overeating, a financially crushing shopping addiction, depression and anxiety. Multiple issues to say the least. I just want everyone to know the following... Believe me, other skin pickers and scab eaters...if you think that others don't notice you are doing it...you are sadly mistaken. I can only be thankful that these very dear and close friends of mine love and care enough for the screwed up person that I am to want to help and stand by and support me through this very critical time in my life. I have cried myself silly since I realized people around me have witnessed my habit. What actually made me see how bad the problem is was when I returned from vacation with a co-worker of 30+ years travelling with her for the first time, she mentioned to one of the "intervention" friends that she would never travel with me again because it repulsed her and she couldn't wait for the vacation to end...and here I thought we had a great time travelling together. Boy, was I sadly mistaken! I know it's not going to be an easy road but it is one I must travel. I know not everyone can go down the road I have chosen but I do wish you all good things in life on any path you choose whether it be to deal or not to deal with this issue. I hope I haven't offended anyone as this is definitely not my intention, but I have to tell you it feels soooooooooo good to share with others who have this same affliction.

I'm a 54 year old female who has been "picking & eating" since my teens. Yes, that's right, approximately 40 or more years now! How disgusting is that? I finally admitted that I have a serious problem, the skin picking and eating scabs is so far out of control I have scarred my navel, upper arms and my legs beyond belief. I had abdominal surgery in 2002 and my navel is still infected from scab picking 6 full years later. Now I'm actually acting on this terrible addiction as some very close friends of mine got together when I was away on vacation to discuss it and when I returned did an "intervention" so to speak. I was so embarrased and ashamed of myself that I am actually making the first step to do something about it. It has been the hardest and loneliest thing I have ever had to do in my entire life. I have told my health care provider and have asked to be referred to a mental health facility for an in-patient program, not only to deal with this issue but obviously others like low self-esteem, binge eating, compulsive overeating, a financially crushing shopping addiction, depression and anxiety. Multiple issues to say the least. I just want everyone to know the following... Believe me, other skin pickers and scab eaters...if you think that others don't notice you are doing it...you are sadly mistaken. I can only be thankful that these very dear and close friends of mine love and care enough for the screwed up person that I am to want to help and stand by and support me through this very critical time in my life. I have cried myself silly since I realized people around me have witnessed my habit. What actually made me see how bad the problem is was when I returned from vacation with a co-worker of 30+ years travelling with her for the first time, she mentioned to one of the "intervention" friends that she would never travel with me again because it repulsed her and she couldn't wait for the vacation to end...and here I thought we had a great time travelling together. Boy, was I sadly mistaken! I know it's not going to be an easy road but it is one I must travel. I know not everyone can go down the road I have chosen but I do wish you all good things in life on any path you choose whether it be to deal or not to deal with this issue. I hope I haven't offended anyone as this is definitely not my intention, but I have to tell you it feels soooooooooo good to share with others who have this same affliction.