Tried it ALL-Nothing has helped-Now What?!

First, you've got to realize that you are NOT a failure because of this. Sounds like you're doing pretty well if you're a college professor and all. You need to accept that this is a biological problem for you and stop being so ashamed about it. If you had a tic disorder, it wouldn't be any different. A lot of very intelligent, successful people have some sort of OCD disorder. Picking IS an OCD disorder, meaning you have very limited (if any) control over it. It can be very embarassing at times, but it won't kill you. If you already don't have friends, then what do you have to lose? Get out there and be with people. Confide in anyone you trust. Secondly, figure out what feelings are behind the picking. They are there for sure. Anger, general stress, where does your mind go when you pick? Then, find something, search endlessly, for something that can replace the picking. If you own your house, try pulling weeds in the garden. Seriously, I wish I had more weeds, but I've picked them all!! ; ) Most of all, keep hope. Everyday you get up and move forward, you are not a failure. You are only a failure if you quit!

I've been biting and picking for over 20 years and have tried everything as well. I think the only thing that has ever worked for me is not being alone. If I am alone, I will pick. If I have no where I absolutely need to be that day, I'll pick. The times where I was the most busy, even if I was more stressed than usual were the times where my skin looked the best. I guess I don't know what the solution is. Obviously we can't be "in public" at all times, but I'm thinking that I need to fill my idle time with something concrete. My only real hobby is reading and that still allows me to bite and pick. What if I were forced to attend a class or work a 2nd job every day of the week? Would I still find the time to pick? I don't think I would, at least I think that my skin would heal enough that it would be an encouragement to keep going. Anyway I'm rambling. Just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same boat and we're not failures. I'm not surprised you're academically sucessful because people with OCD are often of above average intelligence. Small consolation, but consolation nonetheless!

I just discovered this website, and I'm reading the posts with interest. I'm a male in my 60s. I have psoriasis, and peel and eat the scabs and plaques that form on my patches. I apply medication (but not very religiously) and get UVB light treatments, but the scratching and peeling off of the plaques inhibits the therapy. About a half hour ago, I did a search and discovered a great quote that I had pasted up in my room over 40 years ago, when I was in my 20s. I was hospitalized then for severe anemia secondary to a stomach ulcer. No matter what the contemporary medical wisdom is about ulcers, I think stress is a major factor, and I was a bundle of nerves and very insecure when I was in my 20s. The same kind of stress that causes ulcers could also cause this skin-picking-and-eating behavior. So here's the quote: ‘An ulcer, gentlemen, is an unkissed imagination taking its revenge for having been jilted. It is an unwritten poem, an undanced dance, an unpainted watercolor. It is a declaration from the mankind of the man that a clear spring of joy has not been tapped and that it must break through muddily, on its own.' (quote from John Ciardi, American poet, addressing a group of powerful businessmen) I used to be a musician, but quit out of frustration and due to financial problems, and due to lack of time for maintaining my skills. I played jazz in nightclubs, festivals, concerts, etc., and also wrote a few film scores. But there is almost no work in today's modern world, except for a tiny highly skilled elite group: I drive a cab to pay the bills (and attempt to pay down my debts). I also used to write chamber music for classically trained musicians, and my music was performed often while I was studying music in various universities. Over the years, however, my music skills have generally not been a good contributor toward paying the bills. I guess what I'm thinking is that if you keep yourself busy enough with meaningful pursuits, you won't scratch and eat. In my case, if a saxophone is in my mouth and both hands are busy playing it, I can't do this stuff to my body. If I'm composing music, even something no one will hear or care much about, perhaps this will distract me from this rotten habit and provide a much better outlet for what is churning inside of me. Probably some exercise would help as well. I'm doing some self-therapy here, but I hope my thoughts will aid others. And I will look forward to hearing others' reactions to what I have said here. (Maybe we could re-word the quote above as follows: "‘A skin-picking-and-eating habit, gentlemen, is an unkissed imagination taking its revenge . . . etc")