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Trance-Like State?
Hey everyone, I'm new here. I've been picking since 4th grade. I remember the first scab that started it all. I pick at everything. I pick my arms, shoulders, back, chest, neck, and face the most. Acne, ingrown hairs, scabs, pretty much anything that pops up on my skin that isn't smooth. I also eat what I pick, which I am extremely embarrassed to admit because I know it's gross but I just can't help it and I figured that here you guys would understand. Anyway, does anyone else go into a trance when they pick? A lot of the time when I pick, I don't even notice before it's too late. My eyes get glossy and I stare off, and my mind goes fuzzy. I do this in bed, watching tv, even driving. I hate this trance state and don't know how to prevent it from happening. I'll be like this for 15 minutes at a time. Sometimes even a half hour, multiple times a day.
It resembles dissociation. Dissociation is often the result of trauma or suppressed feelings. Did you experience a stressful childhood or some sort of traumatic event? I'm very curious about the origin of this skin picking behavior. Personally, I had a difficult childhood riddled with emotional abuse and an unstable household environment. I think the skin picking subconsciously stems from that. Would like to hear other's opinion on this subject.