3 replies to this topic

[Ex-Picker]

I'm 19 years old and I've been picking my skin obsessively since I was 11. For most of my life I had been blessed with only mild acne, so this habit never ravaged my skin too badly, although I do have some enlarged pores and shallow scars as a result. But last month I broke out badly on my cheeks with very inflamed pustules. I cannot continue to pick my skin. I'm starting to scar and if I don't stop now I know I will cause terrible damage. Little indents are already forming.

Perhaps a "cold turkey" approach isn't the most appropriate for someone like me, who literally has rituals built around picking, but I think it's the only way I can take the challenge seriously. I have been telling myself to stop picking for years, only to give myself "breaks" after 4 days which of course cause me to relapse into my ritualistic picking.


Measures I'm taking to quit:
- Covering my bathroom mirror with newspaper

- Discussing the issue with my psychiatrist, seeking treatment with SSRIs (I have an appointment this Thursday)

- Limiting my visits to the bathroom to check myself in the mirror

- Recording each time I DO check myself in the mirror

- Busying myself more at home so that I don't have so much time to let my mind wander to my skin

- In the morning, covering my face with gauze until the desire to pick wears off (my picking is worst in the morning)

- Posting in this thread




I would appreciate any support!

[whenandwhere]

I would love to hear an update. I have started talking to friends about my picking obsession and I think it has helped remove some of the anxiety and stress that contributes to my picking.

[OmgZep]

i just tell my self that picking causes more acne and i stop immediately.
Best of luck also (i was guilty of this) dont "scan" your face for imperfections.
i got in a habit after a while of not picking that i would "Scan" my face for bumps with my fingertips.
its a really bad habit that can also cause you to break out because the transfer of bacteria and oils from your fingers to your face.

[Jennaaaay]

THAT IS AWESOME! I support you!

And yes, picking is NO NO. Haha.