Personal demon

33% Normal
12 Comments

I have had Dermatillomania, also known as Compulsive Skin Picking, for 4 years now. I am constantly picking my fingers and lips due to a lot of anxiety, nothing to do with my hands, anger, sadness...Really any emotion you can think of. I pick until I’m bleeding. The ends of my fingers are now a shade of red caused by enduring years of abuse and my lips are scabbed. It was just recently that I discovered my picking is an actual medical disorder. So, with that new discovery I realized that it had to stop. I know the damage I am inflicting on myself and the stress of that knowledge on top of the fact that I urgently wish to stop actually causes me to pick even more. It’s tearing me apart. Has anyone ever had this? Does anyone have any ideas on how to end my awful habit? Here is what I have already tried:
-wearing gloves
-putting bandages on the ends of my fingers where I pick.
-putting a hair elastic around my wrist to busy my fingers
-getting a French manicure...which unfortunately didn’t limit my picking as I thought it might
-putting on fake nails
None of these have worked. In my area there is no medical help so that is not an option. Any advice? I’m starting to lose hope...

Voting Results
33% Normal
Based on 42 votes (14 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • Avant-Garde
    10 years ago

    Try wearing skin tight latex PVC gloves. PVC/Latex is apparently hard to get on and hard to get off.

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  • Stifler
    10 years ago

    I can't really help you but my personal demon is *drum roll* BITING MY NAILS!

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  • iHateItDuz
    12 years ago

    seek help. no excuses, just do it.

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  • HecateAlVanne
    12 years ago

    I always pick at my lips, but im not depressed, stressed or whatever. I am now wondering why the hell I do it.

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  • sim000
    14 years ago

    Don't do the nail polish remover thing! Any genuine doc would never post such a stupid comment! You'll end up making your fingers worse. But i guess you have more common sense than whoever posted that comment.

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    • [Old Memory]
      14 years ago

      Don't worry I didn't buy the "I'm a doctor" story. HA! Some people...

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  • sim000
    14 years ago

    I know this may sound obvious but try to always be CONSTANTLY aware of your hands!!!! Once you start will become easier.

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  • princesspancakepants
    14 years ago

    I do this as well. Pick cuticles and slip one of my nails under the nail of another finger back and forth. It's really bad. I also bite my lips. One thing I have noticed though... is I stopped biting my nails. Just realised that. But the picking of cuticles and this new weird happen of rubbing one nail under another is annoying the crap out of me. Sometimes I can ever feel a sort of ringing in my hands. And I want to clench them and open them to make it stop.

    It's anxiety. Pure and simple. Some weird coping mechanism we have.

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  • Sxv123
    14 years ago

    Ok first im a doctor! Ok so listen first of all put nail polish remover on your hands! It will hurt! I know but it gets into your hands so you get grossed out when you pick your hands. Which makes you not do it.

    Lips- get a peice of gum and put it between the front of your mouth and teeth

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    • Stifler
      10 years ago

      What a load of crap.

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  • hotchickie81
    14 years ago

    OMG, I had no idea this was actually a mental disorder. I have it too, since I can NOT stop picking! It is SO annoying, and people are always trying to get me to stop, but I can't! My husband is tired of looking at my bloody fingers and scabby lips. I wish I could stop. I really do! But I can't stop. I have OCD, depression and anxiety... but maybe I should also talk to my doctor about Dermatillomania. I wonder if there's anything they can do to help? Anyway, you are certainly not alone! I feel somewhat better too, now that I know I'm not the only one who does this.

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  • psychedelnick
    14 years ago

    Find something you enjoy doing that involves your hands. Painting, drawing, sewing, crafts, etc. Every time you fell like picking your skin, just go to your new hobby. hope i helped a little

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