Posted by ClearSkies on November 29, 2005, at 18:33:35
In reply to SKIN--SKIN PICKING--OCD SKIN PICKERS, posted by DiamondDoggie on November 28, 2005, at 1:16:10
I have never been treated specifically for skin picking, but in times of great stress and poor self esteem, I pick at my legs all the time.
When I was a teenager I picked at my face - hello, pizzaskin! I have always been fastidious about seeing a dermatologist and trying to take care of my skin. It took me YEARS to keep my hands away from my face. Even now when I'm the least bit stressed my first response is to "worry" at my skin. Picking, rubbing, examining. it's all I can do sometimes to keep my hands still. Now I just wring them like laundry.I get a lot of comfort from tactile activity - smoothing my hand over my cat's fur until she bites me, rubbing my lips on the hairs of my arm (do ya think I has weaned too early? thanx mom). Plus I sucked my finger until I was 12 years old. Lots of sensory stuff going on that releases anxiety.
I now go to sleep with my hands at my sides and I pretend that I can't move from my neck down.
Yowza I don't know if any of this helps but I'm here and I know how you feel.
poster:ClearSkies
thread:582890
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050929/msgs/583450.html