2007-02-18 02:55:25 · 8 answers · asked by Violet 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes, and it is the most embarassing part of my depression/anxiety/SI. I have had the hardest time discussing it with my dr. When I was younger i used to just pick the skin around my nails- to the point they would often bleed and be so sore I could barely hold a pen to write. At the age of 24, i began picking at my legs- an ingrown hair or something and then a small scab would form and I would pick that until it became larger and larger. I am now 33. I now pick at my skin all over my body. I can't stop myself- it's a compulsion. I can think about what I am doing at the time and tell mysel to stop, and will look at the clock and an hour or even 2 will have gone by. I have scars on my legs, arms, shoulders, back, stomach, pelvic area- anywhere an ingrown hair can be or a pimple to pick at an start. I can't believe I am even answering this question- I have never talked about it before- not even at group therapy or individaul therapy. It has caused me to be very insecure about my body and self-image. I have tried keeping my nails cut short to deter the ability to pick- i will often just use tweezers then instead. It is very disturbing and gross and hard to explain that is something I can't control. I find myself doing it more when I am under stress or anxious about something. I used to be a cutter and think the picking is related to the sense of relief felt in that area as well. I hope my answer has helped in knowing you aren't the only one- it has helped me to know I am not the only one. Not many people talk about it. Thanks and good luck
2007-02-18 04:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer S 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I pick the skin around my fingers I have been doing this since I was 5 I am now 40. I do it when I'm stessed.. The last couple of years I have tried to control this obsession and have been very good although sometimes I find myself picking without realizing, it's such a nasty habit!
2007-02-18 11:38:25 · answer #2 · answered by BlackBerry66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I pick at my face and scalp constantly if I'm not watching myself. I used to have scabs all over my head from where I did this, and refused to let anyone play with my hair for fear they'd notice. I also used to pick at my back really bad and it had scabs all over it as well.
I'm also a cutter, and I really think the two are related. It's just that you can do the picking without even realizing you're doing it; I think it's even harder to control than cutting...because with cutting most of the time you realize what you're doing when you pick up a blade. But I can't get rid of my fingernails completely and I always find a way to abuse my skin.
2007-02-18 13:14:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I pick the skin around my finger nails and I bit my lips alot. If I've got a cut i'll pick at that aswell.
2007-02-18 12:58:02 · answer #4 · answered by Madness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I chew the skin around my nails usually till they bleed when I watch TV at night and it relaxes me. I know it's from stress and anxiety but I've done it since I've had teeth. I used to bite my nails, too, but stopped that when I was 18. I figure I don't drink or smoke or do drugs, so if the worst I do is bite my fingers, who cares.
2007-02-18 13:55:04 · answer #5 · answered by nina-h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a woman on TLC that picked at her skin all the time and they diagnosed her with OCD. She went to a therapist and the therapist gave her knitting supplies to keep her hands busy so that she wouldn't pick at her face.
2007-02-18 11:03:58 · answer #6 · answered by jenny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't pick my skin but the skin on my lips
2007-02-18 10:58:29 · answer #7 · answered by monica4rd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who are on meth seem to do that.
2007-02-18 11:04:45 · answer #8 · answered by ally_oop_64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋