Diary of a Skin Picker

One day I discovered that I've been a lifelong skin picker and that this was a mental disorder disguised as a bad habit. I started this blog to share information and resources as well as to help others.

[diaryofaskinpicker]

Google Alert - "skin picking"

Google Alert – “skin picking”

On Fri, Nov 22, 2019 at 11:43 PM Google Alerts <googlealerts-noreply> wrote:

"skin picking" Daily update ⋅ November 23, 2019 NEWS I’ve been picking the skin on my fingers until it bleeds for as long as I can remember. This is how I … INSIDER Clinically, skin-picking, or dermatillomania, is an overgrooming disorder related to nail-biting and trichotillomania, the condition that…

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[onlinecounsellingcollege]

“Some old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word.”

— George R.R. Martin

[diaryofaskinpicker]

8 Things to Put into a Mental Health Crisis Kit

8 Things to Put into a Mental Health Crisis Kit

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[skinpickingsupport]

BFRB Awareness Could Have Helped Me in Grade School

In both photos, I’m wearing a turtleneck to hide the Dermatillomania marks on my back, shoulders, and upper chest. In between these pictures, I suffered a trauma that worsened my Dermatillomania- but it didn’t cause it.

[all-thewings]

I suffer from a severe case of obsessive compulsive disorder, which causes me to actively pick at my skin. I want to walk the world free, but I need to feel comfortable in the skin I walk in, and on the legs I use to carry me.

[just-derma-things]

This makes me feel so much better I didn’t even know derma existed until a couple of days ago before that I just thought I was weird for tearing up my legs but now I know I’m not alone thank you

I’m so happy this has helped you! The whole point of my blog is to make everyone with derma feel a little less alone 😊

[trichs-n-picks]

So I have trich and I pick my nails to the point where I pull them out. While I no longer pull my scalp hair out... I don't care about my nails anymore. I just don't feel like stressing myself out trying to stop. Is that wrong?

If the actions are not causing you distress or any kind of adverse health affects then I think it can be totally helpful to not waste energy on stopping. Everyone’s recovery looks different. For some people it’s stopping the behavior all together but for others it may just be coming to terms with and accepting their behavior. As long as you’re doing what’s best for you then it’s not wrong.-Tyler

[dragimal]

if there’s any silver lining to derma/trich/bfrb’s it’s that u can’t doubt it. like sometimes I’ll be like, “but do I REALLY have an anxiety disorder??” then I look at my arms and I’m like, “OH RIGHT, physical evidence. nice.”

[actuallyadhd]

Is picking at things an adhd thing? I always pick at things, my skin, scabs, my face, my nails, ect at times until they bleed, somtimes pulling, scratching, or biting at it and I get in this mind set there I am just sort of focused really hard on doing it with no thoughts happening other than I must do it with no goal in mind.

This sounds a lot like dermatillomania. -C

[bfrb]

Dealing with Derma

I hope people find this useful!

PHYSICAL BARRIERS- physical barriers work for many, because they remove the visual trigger and have an extra barrier between your fingers and your skin.

Gloves / finger cots – Rubber ones can be pulled and picked at over the top of your skin, protecting it but also helping deal with urges, but fabric gloves can work too

Band-Aids / Plasters – Put them over scabs even if they aren’t bleeding, to stop yourself from picking scabs

[trichs-n-picks]

Hi! Any advice on small items to keep on oneself to stop pulling? I’m autistic as well so I need stim toys in general, but one that can keep both my hands busy from ripping out every hair on my face would be great

My personal favourite is Silly Putty. You can get some really cool colours now! I really like the brand, Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty. I also really like spinner rings which you can find on the TLC store. I would also suggest trying multiple strategies (putty, stress ball, pencil toppers, hard candy, band-aids, etc…) and see what you like the best! -Claire 

[userboxer]

[diaryofaskinpicker]

My Strange Affliction: Trichotillomania on 20/20

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[ventblogggg]

[diaryofaskinpicker]

I only pick my head, lips (and everything around them) and my face. It's not super visible but I do it a lot and for like... 6 years? Is it still derma?

It’s derma if it substantially affects your daily life and you can’t stop doing it. But I cannot diagnose you, only a trained mental health professional can. I encourage you to get help if this is what you are looking for. Good luck!

[diaryofaskinpicker]

I Can’t Stop Pulling Out My Eyelashes (It’s a Thing) "I used to tell myself, 'By the time I graduate college, I’ll stop.'" Source: greatist.com/live/trichotillomania-pulling-out-eyelashes

[diaryofaskinpicker]

Visit Original Link

Welcome to the BFRB Podcast with your host Jose Alvear, LMSW. In this premiere episode, I talk about body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) such as skin picking and hair pulling (trichotillomania). I also discuss how these disorders impact social, physical and mental health functioning. Finally, I open up about my own struggles with skin picking disorder, how I started the blog Diary of a Skin Picker and how I came to be the host of this show.

[diaryofaskinpicker]

Hi just reblogging myself yet again to spread the word. If you’d like to have a question answered on an upcoming episode, please send an ASK here. You can also contact met at BFRBPodcast. It feels good to finally be public and non-anonymous, but also a bit scary!