Does anyone pick at their skin really bad or know someone who does and if so, how'd you or they get help?

I guess it's called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and it's like related to OCD. I pick and cut at the tiniest little blemishes until they turn into hideous sores. I really can't help it. My boyfriend of 7 years has had it with me. He doesn't know how someone preety can deliberately make themselves unattractive. I get a temporary sense of relief when I'm picking or cutting and then afterwards, I feel really embarassed and stupid. I try to cover them with make-up but it doesn't help. Last night was kinda the last straw. I had to go to the ER because all the picking has made me get MRSA (a severe staph infection) which has gotten into my knee and is very painful and swollen. They are worried that it could get into my bones and cause very serious problems. This is all from my picking. Don't call me stupid because it is a sickness. I don't know if it's maybe a psychological thing because I used to let guys really take advantage of me because I was preety but shy (cont'd)

Does anyone pick at their skin really bad or know someone who does and if so, how'd you or they get help?
what you are doing is a form of self injury or self mutilation. the symptoms you described--feeling relief after doing it, ect.--is why people who self injure usually do it. it is an addictive behavior and is very difficult to quit after doing it for a long period of time. the best way to quit is to get help. talk to a dr to see if you need to be on meds for ocd and get a therapist. usually there is an underlying problem that needs addressed and solved so the person can stop self injuring. google self injury and you will get a lot of helpful sites that explain self injury. good luck.
Reply:don't worry about it! i have a friend who goes through the exact same thing. my idea is to get a small styrofoam ball, and when you feel like picking at your skin, pick at the ball. or maybe get an eraser and pick at that. if you still feel like you need to pick at your skin, see a therapist because they can somehow give you something to do instead of picking. when you pick, realize how you feel. stressed? anxious? maybe you should do something like knitting...





wow, i just read the continuation, and the problem sounds alot deeper. i think that if you stop picking, you will look (and feel) more attractive, and that can help you raise your self-esteem. recognizing that you have this problem is part of the solution!
Reply:try wearing a rubber band around your wrist to remind you not to pick at yourself.
Reply:You gotta try to stop the drinking and the other chemicals because they cause even more anxiety. I don't know if you have a job, but you have to keep yourself busy at a place where you can't drink, and don't have a lot of idle time.
Reply:Yes, I have seen people that do that, and it is an anxiety disorder. Have you talked to your doctor about an antianxiety medication???
Reply:The skin picking is a form of self injury. There is a compulsion to do it and now you have had some serious consequences from doing that to yourself.


I think that therapy would help you a lot more then a shrink. You got to start to deal with your problems in a better way instead of all the self destructive behaviors.


infection is very serious, and I am so sorry that it has caused that much more pain and suffering.


self injury is common though and self picking is part of it. Your not alone OK? I have had serious problems with self injury too, that has led to surgery. I am always told that infection is very likely and nearly lost an arm last year because of it.


You are not stupid... Your trying to cope the best way that you can with everything in your life. i wish you the best. And please get into counseling.
Reply:Could you deliberately be trying to drive people away with your compulsion to pick? If you are unattractive, no one will pay attention to you, right? Did you ever have any bad experiences early in life? This often manifests itself later on, showing up as hypersexuality and self mutilation. First trying to please everyone, then trying to let it out and disappear. You really need to learn to love yourself...through therapy, with friends, meditation. Spend more time on Answers...keep your hands busy typing! Take care.