HELP I AM GETTING WORSE

I don't have any good advice for you but I know how you feel. Its frustrating to not be able to stop. Even more frustrating is that we are sho ashamed of our behavior but can't wait to do it again. Non pickers don't get it so don't take to much of what they say too personally. You are beautiful even with the marks of your pain on the outside.

you've already started by admitting that you have a problem and asking for help.....take the next step, call and make an appointment with your GP or a therapist......I think it will make you feel better that you are trying to do something even if you can't stop the behavior......keep us posted :)

I am currently going through hell with my skin picking i didnt relise its actually a disorder. you can get help. I am house bound the moment and ive gone off sick from work its sol distroying b ut self inflicted. i wont even go out im just using aloe vera gel to help sooth the scabs etc. I have a natural health centre near me and i am going to go for some hypnotherapy and something called emtional freederm techniqe. I will let you know how this goes. In the meantime use aloe vera gel or calendular to help the healing. nhs offer behaveral therapy this will prob really help dont be ashamed to go im going to try and go if i can get it on the nhs as this problem is ruining my life. hope this helps Tai.x

I understand what you're going through. It's really horrible to want to look normal and stop getting hurt, but you can't just escape from the abuse because YOU are the abuser to yourself. I wish I could say something that would make all of us heal, but every time I try to heal myself I just screw it up by picking again. I have heard someone say that clenching your fists for two minutes when you get the urge helps, but somehow, that doesn't really do it for me. Maybe I do not have the willpower? I am not sure, but I really need to stop too. We all do. I just heard some bad news about my 'hopefully' future job, and already I am getting the urge to rip my skin off while simultaneously thinking of worst case scenarios, or daydreaming of miraculous things that I could do to fix the situation (even though I know I will never actually do those things - knowing that stresses me out and makes me want to pick more, so much that clenching my fists won't even enter my mind before I begin peeling off rough skin that's already kind of sticking out waiting to be peeled anyway.) I tell myself that if I just pick a little bit, it won't make a huge difference and I will still heal as planned. the truth is, even a little is a lot in the scheme of things, because this is not normal. and picking any skin at all will delay healing. I am a mess too, motherof5, and yes I will stop with you. I do not think either of us are equipped to do it alone, otherwise we would be free already. So yes, I would love to be chat buddies with you.

I know how you feel....I hate all that slaps and "stop it"! It makes me so angry because I am aware when I'm picking andstill can't keep myself from stopping. All it does is make me go somewhere else to do it. My sores are so horrible and infected and sore, but it still does'nt make me stop.

I understand how you feel, it's like even though they are trying to help in a way you feel as if they're judging you for picking and telling you what to do like your a little kid. If you want we can be chat buddies, it would be new to talk to someone who does the same thing and want judge me for doing so.

i dont really have any advice either but i do want to let u kno i understand exactly how you feel! i pick at my face and there's a part that's a mess =/ i just wana find ppl i cant talk to and chat about this with becuz i dont kno anyone that has this is in my real life, i feel like such a freak i even been suicidal becuz of this .. every girl wants 2 look beautiful and god knos i do too and i cant beleive i am making myself look like this and hurting myself like this but i just cant stop! i really think we need to stick together cuz the support is soo important and non-pickers just dont understand! i kno we can do this; we can help eachother stop if we just exchange numbers or screenames to keep eachother posted and give eachother advice or even just to listen to eachother.. sometimes we just need someone to talk to (someone thats knos what were going thru) i really think we can help eachother guys becuz we kno exactly where were coming from. this is not impossible!

I know how you feel. I've been picking for years and my dad has tried to help but the whole 'dissapointed parent' thing just makes me go up to my room,cry and pick some more. Like everyone else is saying, go and see your GP. It's the first step and if anything it focuses your mind on what causes you to pick and shows you that something can be done. Don't be put off if your GP doesn't understand you. I got so angry with mine when he told me to 'just stop picking' and try wearing gloves. I don't think he realised that I'd been trying that 'treatment' for about 10 years now. Hypnotherapy is good aswell. It was such a strange feeling to walk out of there, pick at my fingers and not feel any pleasure in the pain. That taught me a lot. Hope you find your own way of dealing with it in your own time :) xx

I don't have any good advice for you. I just want to echo everyone else and say I know how you feel. It is a constant struggle that I am losing:( Having other people point out when you are picking is frustrating and makes me want to pick more too. Being constantly reminded about all the bad habits other people were able to break just makes me feel like more of a failure. But, knowing I'm not alone in this battle (via this website) will hopefully be the little bit of encouragement that will help me on my way to freedom and hopefully you too!