Wow…I never knew that skin-picking could be so dangerous… I do it CONSTANTLY out of anxiety and this definitely makes me want to stop more. It’s really great that she’s doing pretty well now. :’)
I’ve struggled with this most of my life, and I didn’t know it had a name until recently. My biggest thing was picking my fingers (especially my thumbs), picking layers and layers of skin off daily, until they bled. They’d get so bad I had basically damaged my entire thumbs. I’d put bandaids on once they got too bad, they’d heal a little, but I’d start again as soon as the bandaids were off. At the age of 33 I had Finally had enough, and made a commitment to myself to stop. I haven’t done it in a year now and my thumbs look amazing ☺️
You're me! You're describing my life right now. I can't remeber the last time my thumbs looked normal. How did you make yourself stop? I've tried bandaids, gloves, tape, plastic, tissue... you name it. I want to stop so bad but I can't and it makes me so sad not being able to wear cute rings, do my nails, wear nail polish, show my hands confidently. I hide them and I don't want to do it anymore.
@@MonaLisa-kz6hz I definitely feel you 😞 it got to the point where people would outright ask me “what happened to your thumbs?” And even some kids I work with were scared of them, and they would stare straight away. I would tell them I burnt my thumbs, as that’s basically what it looked like. It took me years of wanting to stop before I actually did. I would wear bandaids as it helped me get out of the habit. I’d wear the same ones for weeks on end, then change them over, then I’d pick the Band-Aid and not my thumbs, so it slowly got me out of the habit. That took me years though. Then when I saw how healed they were that was further motivation. As soon as I picked again, I’d put bandaids straight back on for another few weeks. Then one day, once the bandaids came off, I just didn’t pick again. I honestly thought I would never get through it, and some days I’m surprised I did. I do still pick my other fingers occasionally, but never my thumbs. It’s like an addiction, if I start, I know I’ll never stop. I did carry fidgets around for a little while too to keep my fingers busy. Best of luck to you!
@@jasminemoukachar6677 Thank you so much for opening up and for giving me solutions! I will definitely try those and I will try my best for the sake of my precious fingers and mind... thank you ❤
I have the same thing (picking the skin on my fingers) and I just can't stop. I've tried many times, but usually I end up biting my nails then the skin. It started bc of some stress I dealt with during Lock down when I even bit the inside of my mouth until my cheeks were constantly raw or my bottom lip till I had sores. I stopped with that, but the finger-biting is something I still have to work with
Fingers are still a major struggle. I have damaged my fingers and finger nails. They don’t grow in right and there are pretty ugly. Maybe that part is just genetics lol
I have Dermatillomania aka Excoriation disorder. I'm so ashamed of the scars and sores and scabs all over my body. Nothing has ever helped except staying away from mirrors but then the picking just goes elsewhere. It's a devastating illness and telling us to "just stop picking" makes it worse. We do it without realization and it's a calming mechanism.
I have the same condition as you. Something that really helped me is search for psychological help and occupy my entire time doing something using my hands, like drawing, studying, cooking etc and my psychiatry told me to take some medicine to control my depression and anxiety
This is crazy I never even knew there was a condition I can't say that I'm this bad but I constantly do it especially on my legs and I did already have really bad anxiety I guess it makes me feel better knowing that I am not alone I have not got Mersa yet but I have got cellulitis multiple times where my leg got inflamed and I had to get antibiotics
@@lindsay6343 oh man I'm so sorry. We have a "bad habit" of using anything to pick and rarely making sure it's clean enough to puncture skin. Usually because it's an obsessive condition so we don't think about sterilizing things first, we just need that "fix".
I was told I have and its OCD related which I believe(on meds.) I'm kinda wonky about cleanliness and germs. Which is why I dont bite my fingers or nails. Too unsanitary for me. Years and years of skin picking my lips til raw and bleeding🤦♀️🤦♀️ I love spicy food sooooo...ouch! I find if I wear lipstick/chapstick and re-apply continuously all day.. I stop. The moment it's off and I feel dry skin. Geesh here we go. I hope I can stop this. Thanks for listening❤✌🏽
@@sugarrose8640 you can! Mind over matter!! I’m sure it’s more complicated and difficult than that but you can do it! I don’t know you but I believe in you!!
I used to struggle with trichotillomania aka hair-pulling-disorder. It's always very comforting to see other people going through something similar, it makes me feel less alone. Thank you for sharing your story and helping others
@@ruruville I'm honestly not sure. I just constantly reminded myself to not do it and whenever I caught myself doing it I forced myself to stop. I also tried to keep myself busy. It took a few months till I fully stopped
@@ruruville I have trichotillomania too. (I have OCD which manifests as skin picking, hair pulling, and compulsive eating for me). There's numerous support groups for trichotillomania on Facebook that have been wonderful and supportive. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been super helpful too. School is my trigger, and since I'm a grad student, the struggle isn't ending anytime soon, but cognitive behavioral therapy has given me the tools to at least fight it, and it's made a huge difference.
I have ocd and at my worst I pulled a 1/5 of whole head of hair out as well as having skin picking. The best way I stopped hair pulling was noticing when I would start going up to my hair and keeping my hands busy when I'm anxious, but if anyone's want to talk about this stuff im free, have had these known symptoms for about 10 years now even though I have stopped hair pulling, I still constant skin pick unfortunately.
When I saw the notification for this video, I was shocked. Dermatillomania, is never talked about in social media. I myself have the condition, my picking is also pretty severe. I will say, it was comforting seeing this video. Hearing her story, helped me feel less alone. ♡
If anyone finds this helpful, I wanted to share 10 things that really helped in my healing from this disorder: 1. Diet: Avoiding intoxicants and stimulants. I abstain completely from alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, marijuana, etc… I also eat a vegetarian diet as I found in experimentation that when I ate meat, it increased anxiety and irritation. Chocolate and sugar can also trigger anxiety so I try to have them in moderation. 2. I learned to separate the picking from other passive activities. For example, picking was often happening when my mind was distracted by something else, TV, internet, etc… so when I recognized I was picking, I would stop the other passive activity and just observe. The picking would stop and after some time , I could resume the activity. 3. Physical exercise to drain the anxiety energy was key. Lots and lots of LONNNNNNG walks. Power yoga was also great for this. 4. Picking is a habit. So the habit can be reversed. Once I got this, I realized I couldn’t indulge in the habit or it would continue. When I found myself picking or having an urge to pick I would stop all other activity and start watching the clock. I would say “No picking for 5 minutes.” I would focus exclusively on the clock and the time passing and on not picking. Sometimes I would even sit on my hands. If the urge hadn’t passed I would increase the time by another 5. In the beginning it was agony. But the less I did the repeated habit of picking, the less hold it had on me. 5. Selfless service: volunteering. Helped me get out of thinking only of myself. 6. And at the same time: Learning how to say no and to become less concerned with what others thought about me or needed from me. Protecting myself from others. 7. Lots of quiet time with less sensory stimulation. 8. Reading inspirational books 9. The practice of positive mental affirmations (First out loud, then in a whisper and then mentally.) Example:“I am submerged in Eternal Light. It permeates every particle of my being. I am living in that light. The divine light fills me within and without.” 10. Meditation: here’s one I love: ruclips.net/video/TnP9PeHbvTM/видео.html The biggest thing for me was to take it moment by moment and to not think too far in the future. “I only have this 5 minutes of not picking. I don’t have to think of the next 24 hours or years. Just this breath. And now this one.” I hope this helps someone else out there. I love you all and know the pain you are in. You are beautiful and brave warriors of love and I’m honored you are on this battlefield of life with me. 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏
Hi Kirsten! Some of these came from listening to an audio series by Deepak Chopra called Magical Mind, Magical Body. These are strategies he teaches at his addiction recovery center. It was one of the helpful tools I used while recovering! Another tool he mentioned was using sesame oil and giving a loving massage to the body. I started doing that as well which helped me have a more positive relationship with my body since I was spending so much time picking at it. It was nice to do loving touch instead of destructive touch. Thank you for your comment! 💕
I also have dermatillomania. I’m scarred all over my body because of my picking. I’m SO thankful I’ve never gotten MRSA from it, though I have had MRSA infections. They’re absolutely awful! I’m so happy that more people are talking about this condition because so many people are affected by it. Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story ❤️
I have it also. I wonder if it’s hereditary bc my mother had trichotillomania (pulling out hair), but hers wasn’t bad enough to be noticeable. And my son now also does the same thing. I’ve never done the hair pulling, but I definitely have dermatillomania.
@@kyliCatherine1 if you have a mood disorder(which is what OCD falls under I believe), your kids have a genetic predisposition to have it too, not a guarantee, just more likely. My mom twirls her hair and has dermatillomania(which I always thought was called excoriation so I learned something new), my sister picks compulsively, and I pick a bit and have trichotillomania. The good news is, if you have kiddos, you can recognize the signs early and get help for it. Cognitive behavioral therapy makes a world of difference!
I’m so glad this condition is being talked about. I suffered from it for years. At one point the picking habit became so engrained I would wake up in the middle of the night and find my hand crawling on my face like some weird spider. We didn’t know it was a thing and so it made me feel isolated. Friends who didn’t know what it was, would suggest treatments for my skin without understanding what was causing it. That made it worse. I’m happy people are sharing their stories now so that there is more support. Sending my love to all who suffer from this condition. And thank you for making this video and for the brave souls bringing this to light. ♥️♥️♥️
I’m absolutely going to send in my story to your foundation’s website- for so long I felt alone in what I do, but now I know they’re others out there like me. Honestly, thank you so much for sharing your story!
I've been picking for the majority of my 46 year old life. I have never had a MRSA infection. Thank God! I have tried the fidgets, the playdough, the cutting of my nails, and the focus on WHY I am choosing to pick when I am nervous. I don't think it will ever cease. It is nice to know that there is a foundation for such things, so people don't feel so alone in it. I refuse to wear the long sleeves, and I go around people often, because it stops me somewhat. Next week I have parent-teacher conferences, so I already cut my nails and am preparing for the event. I wish I could just stop!
I pick on my face and fingers mostly, so when it was the worst I wore makeup often. I didn't want to ruin it. Same with nail polish, but it didn't help as much. Having aligners atm makes less chances to bite my nails as well. Hope some of it helps a bit
I did that as well, since I tend to fidget a lot while reading or studying (you don't want to see the state of my pens). When my mom noticed all the dandruff I kinda realized that I should stop. I sort of just kept my nails short, so it's hard to actually pick at the skin, and eventually I got out of the habit
Finding this video was honestly so empowering for me. I've always been painfully aware of the fact that resources and support are so hard to find for my dermatillomania and dermatophagia symptoms. They've always seemed so severe and shameful to me because I had no one else to relate to. It felt like I had some extreme version of the disorder, and like I was trapped with it alone. Seeing her and her confidence, and how far she's come is inspiring, seeing a whole comment section full of supportive people, many of which know what this disorder is like, makes me feel a kind of comfort I've never heard in regards to this disorder. It has always been a trigger for someone else to talk to me about it, or tell me I should just stop. I've been working so hard not to touch my face, hands and lips. I'm making progress and it's empowering knowing I'm not doing it alone.
I have this disorder. I'm 59 and it's been a issue since my parents died in 2015. I started on my body in 2017 and it has gotten better. I have had no way to fill my loss yet. I am in therapy and take medication.
I actually suffer with this and I can totally relate to her. It’s is an ocd disorder and it’s addictive too. You know your doing it and you have the potential to scaring or a bacterial infections.
Never had answers. Saw so many doctors through my life. All they ever said was to "just stop"as if it's so simple. Only This last year I came across a RUclips video of a doctor, with a name and answers. I felt so validated. I thought I was alone this entire time. Never met another.
Thankyou for sharing this, it means the world. I have Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania and most of the time it feels like no one else has them and that comes with a lot of shame about my scars or missing hair. It was just really touching to see someone speak so openly about their struggles but also provide some ways you have found to cope and adapt (I'll have to give some a try). Kia kaha
I have this condition. More MRSA infections than I can count, now I'm antibiotic resistant. Once I got sepsis, when a body's so infected the BLOOD BECOMES INFECTED. I picked skin as a kid but by puberty was severe, exacerbated by social anxiety, depression & #1: use of hard drugs. I became addicted to harder & harder drugs. When I was 24 got MRSA got meds from local ER where I was a regular. The infection seemed to go away but a week later stared to feel sick like I had a bad chest cold. I waited over a month, until I was severely ill & coughing up blood to go to ER. Took a few tests cameback & said youre very very sick & admitted me. My IV would pus up, I had big deep tissue abscess on hip the size of a softball & was cut opened & cleaned w/surgery. Also had a pulmonary embolism, infections of lungs. They inserted 2 chest tubes between ribs into lung to drain all the pus. Spent 3 weeks in hospital & sent home w/ PIC line (IV) for 3 antibiotic & fungal meds daily for 6 weeks. So I had tube coming out of my arm connected to a ball like bag of meds in my pocket. I have been clean for 8 yrs but I still pick not nearly as bad tho.
I'm a nail biter and cuticle picker. Sometimes I bite my nails so low the pain keeps me up at night. Like a few others who have posted already, acrylic nails help and I'm currently teaching myself how to apply them on my own because I don't like going to the salon. I have started ordering some things online to keep my hands busy throughout the day. I ordered some stuff called Thinking Putty and it's helped quite a bit. Just yesterday I did an online search for "fidget toys for skin pickers" and found that lava rocks/pumice stones filled with a latex paint/glue mixture sold with dental tools is a thing on Etsy and Amazon. I'm thinking about making my own. Just wanted to share.
As painful as any diagnosis is knowing what it is helps you learn to adapt, manage, and treat. As you so eloquently noted in your video. You have learned so many techniques in managing your condition. Bravo bravo
Got a little teary watching this, just because it's nice to see a reminder that I'm not alone. My mom and I both have OCD (she picks a lot, I pick a little and also have trichotillomania), and she ended up in the hospital from it as well. It was scary. OCD is no joke, and can take over your life. I'm so glad this wonderful woman is taking the time to be open about her mental health and open communication, because sometimes the biggest thing is just knowing you aren't alone and having other people to talk to about it. ❤️
I can relate, I chew my nails and finger tips non stop. The only thing that has stopped me from doing it is acrylic nails. Now I always wear them because they are hard to take off and stop me from my obsessive tendency.
I used to bite mine so bad they were always bleeding and sore.:/ I did try acrylics and it helped but it got too expensive. So I started doing mine at home, just regular nail polish with shiny top coat and file in different shapes. If they are not painted I still will get the urge to bend them over and over until they "accidentally break" and start to chew on all of them, to "make them even". 😬 But now I stop myself and hurry and grab the nail clippers and snip them all off quickly before I get back into it. Then nail polish and gloss coat again! 😊 I feel myself slowly getting more distant from the urge to bite. Good luck to you all! We can overcome💕
This is so incredible to me. I have picked at my skin since I was a small child, I am now 49. I was physically and mentally abused so going to the doctor just wasn’t an option. Now that I see this….we’ll it’s ME!!!! I have scars everywhere. My older sister used to call me “picky, picky, dig, itch” and sing it whenever I had friends around. It still hurts many many years later. I’m so relieved that I am not alone. Yet I hate to see others suffering.
Oh my gosh. This is a thing. I tend to do this when I’m stressed/ not well / not emotionally regulated. I honestly didn’t know other people had this. Also what a beautiful positive video, beautiful woman and her mum is so supportive ❤️💕
I’ve struggled with this for so many years, sometimes it might be ok for a few years but dealing with difficult things it brings it back. It started when I was 16 after we left a domestic violence environment and my parents divorced. I remember having to wear long sleeves during the summer because it looked like I was in a cat fight. Bright lights and mirrors are definitely triggers for me too. My main areas used to be my face and arms and surprisingly enough I don’t have any visible scars now. I never ever as a 16 year old knew that this even had a name.
I pick when I have anxiety and my PTSD is happening. I pick my scabs if I get cuts or scratches and the scabs from surgery. I also have diabetes that is controlled now but for years it was out of control and I could've got infections that I would've had to have amputation if serious enough. But now my A1C is 4.6 and I don't take anything for my diabetes. But back to the subject of picking I would also pick my boyfriend's acne too. I just thought it was normal. I didn't know there was a name for picking. I'm glad this young woman is bring it front and center for the world to open up and talk about it. It shouldn't be so taboo.
Lauren did I say inspirational man there is no words to describe who you are oh my God you are such a positive positive positive person for you to take your challenge to help others you are phenomenal and I love the foundation and name of your organization keep up the great work
This is what I was diagnosed with at tge age of 24. Since I've been on my meds and kept my mental health under more control, I haven't done it as bad. I still do it from time to time, but definitely not as bad as I use to. I'm happy she found a source of support online to help her. I never had this.
me too girl! just fyi there's tons of support groups for it on facebook that are wonderful, and if you're interested in therapy for it, cognitive behavioral therapy has worked wonders for me
I had no idea this condition existed! It's really relatable. I started picking excessively around puberty because of acne and as my acne got better, the picking did too even though I still struggle with it. Then once I started recovery for my eating disorder, the picking flared up again. A lot of times I'll start scratching myself when I'm eating as a way to distract myself. Sometimes I'll finish a meal and my chest will be bright red from scratching and I hadn't even realized I was doing it.
Im really glad there is more awareness about this, I have had dermatillomania for as long as i can remember, i have had multiple staph infections and one even resulted in necrotic tissue forming. I remember all throughout high-school i constantly had dried blood somewhere, whether it was smeared on my face or between my nails. A lot of people often assume I am either on drugs or having tactile hallucinations, and i have often receive looks of disgust if i pick my skin out in public. I have been attempting to pick less, and today is the first 24 hours i have had in years without skin picking, i hope anyone else who is struggling with this knows they arent alone in this ❤️
This story is very much like my own. I have adhd and this for some go hand in hand. I got such a bad infection at one point I was in the hospital for 2 week! I’m so much better I keep lots of fidget toys in my pocket at all times. And I have a partner who recognizes the problem and just reminds me to stop There is hope guys. It’s now something that’s in the back of my mind when before it was a Constant struggle ❤️
Thank you so much for this. People automatically assume that I'm some drug addict or I have some contagious disease or something. My face is so, so scarred I just don't even try talking to people outside my family. Thank you so, so much for putting yourself out there like this, just thank you!
I suffer from Dermatillomania as well. I’ve had skin infections that have landed me in the hospital. This disorder is so difficult to live with. Prayers to anyone else who has this.
Im so glad this video was made. My daughter does this and has done this for years. Her skin heals and she starts again. Most times she doesn't even realize she is doing it. Thank you so so much. 🙏
Not gonna lie, at least I didn’t know where this was going but I’m glad I stuck around and watched.. personally I’m not a picker. However I am drug addict in long term recovery so I know very well what it feels like to hear someone else, a stranger, tell your story and I also know how important it is to find your people. I skimmed through the comments and I’m shocked at how many people say they have this condition. But I really hope that you all join the community and support each other, you all deserve it, the best!! Sending lots of love and light to each and every single one of you💖💖💖
Been following and interacting with picking me foundation since a while now on twitter and this is the first time I'm getting to know about the founder. You're so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing your story and investing your time and energy in picking me foundation. ❤
I've had 2 major bacterial infections on my chin bcuz of this which caused me to get even more bullied (I had to take antibiotics) + sometimes my fingers hurt so bad I can't sleep. This makes me feel not so embarrased and alone ❤
There are medications that are really helpful in stopping the picking. Avoid mirrors. Get your nails done with gels or dip powder or acrylics - it makes it much harder to pick. You do not have to suffer with this condition forever - there ways to help stop it and you are absolutely not alone. No judgement, no shame.
I have dermotillomania as well, but not to that severity. I'm so glad that you didn't end up losing your leg and that you're in a positive position in your life and helping others
Omg this honestly makes me feel like I’m not alone. I started picking when I was 15 after being diagnosed with lupus and I’ve been struggling ever since. I honestly didn’t know how serious this could get. I honestly thought this was a way to cope with my anxiety and OCD. Lauren thank you for sharing your story. I really needed it!
i experience this on a milder level. mostly when my hands are idle and i don't have anything to focus on, or when i'm anxious. i'm glad there is more awareness being spread about it!
I love that you use your condition to help others and how you make sure you don't have triggers. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and when the skin is raised I pick it and I bleed sometimes so I have to train myself to moisten my skin instead of picking it
You are so brave and so beautiful! I realized from an early age that there was very minor skin picking issue in my family. It was confined to picking hangnails but my brother really destroyed his fingers. We would laugh if a problem came up was it a 2 hang nail problem or a 3. We didn't have a name for it or know it was a real disorder. But we acknowledged it to help each other stop picking. I, however, did "secret picking" that others didn't see. I had Polio as a 2 y/o - I am 70 now - and dealing with so much chronic pain and a rare disease throughout my life, I know picking was a stress response and a stress reliever. I was grateful and empowered when I learned about skin picking - the why's about it and the solutions. With me, comparatively, my picking was very mild and I rarely pick now, but I have some scars on my arms and legs. However, when I see them now, I am reminded of just how strong that little 2 y/o was and how I conquered so many difficulties in my life. They are part of me and part of my story. Blessings to all, Karen
I have the same condition, but I never being so far. Although is very disappointing when you finish and you notice that you can't control yourself because the problem is in your head and not on your skin
Thanks for this story. You are extremely courageous ! I have always picked my cuticles raw. I pick on scabs. It sucks. Learning to distract myself is huge. Good luck beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
Oh my God my fiance has this! I never knew it had a name! He almost contracted mrsa 2 years ago from picking the ssme area on his arm. I'm just stunned right now because I kind of felt like he was the only one that did this. Thank you for posting this on here
Omg. I cant believe this video came up....because I've hidden behind jeans and long sleeves for years...but now I might have an answer to what I'm doing.... thank you sooooo much...
My picking started at age 13 when my face started to break out and I’ve been picking at my face ever since. These days I find that watching pimple popping videos on RUclips helps me, and my face looks a lot better. Those videos have a lot of commenters saying it calms their anxiety and OCD. I still pick and I still chew on my cheek lining, but at least those videos have cut down on the damage!
Damn, I've been struggling with this for years. Its so comforting to see that I'm not alone:) This condition is rarely, if ever talked about, especially on social media. I mainly go for my lips and hands, so masks and fidgets especially help! My favorites are definitely tangles, those pressure rings, and skinny fidget rings :)
I also have derma/compulsive skin picking, and it is the single greatest struggle of my life. It began in elementary school & has affected my relationship with my parents, my friends, my romantic interests & took thousands upon thousands of hours away from studying, socializing, and relaxing and enjoying my free time. It's so, so hard to deal with, even talking about it just drains my energy. I self diagnosed in my early 20s after multiple doctors being unable to help me or understand what I was dealing with, and finally received a diagnosis from a psychiatrist last year. To everyone suffering from this, I understand you. I've been where you are & walk in your shoes.
I’m certainly a picker. Mostly my face and feet. It’s definitely a calming mechanism for me and before I know it, I’m picking until I bleed. Thank you for you courage!
I have extreme dermatilamania on my entire body and its been an issue my whole life. I made a mistake and the guilt made it worse. I bought a house on a large wooded property and the mosquitos have made it 10 times worse then it ever been causing me to pick and itch so bad
I dont have this condition but sometimes i start picking on my skin when i have blackheads or some texture and it is very hard to stop. Like i have to tell myself "ok enough!". It is definitely addicting and I can imagine that if you also have other issues like anxiety it can take over your life.
I hope she reads this: Wow! What a strong, incredible and beautiful woman. I'm so proud of her founding the organization and giving so many people hope. All my life I thought, I was "weird". Was told by numerous people "just leave your fingers off it", but never could. And didn't understand why. Now I was dealing with several other psychiatric disorders and traumas due to childhood abuse. Some day I somehow stumbled across the name of this disorder. I read an article about it and sat there shocked, with open mouth, as this article was 100% written about my life and my experiences. That's when I knew, I wasn't 'weird' at all, but that it was a disorder. Now my specialist doctor is trying to minimize my most present and afflicting illnesses, so my skin picking disorder isn't yet therapized or professionally looked at. My doctor knows about it, but he has other priorities. But for me, knowing it is a disorder, helped so much. It didn't minimize my episodes, but it somehow minimized my feeling of guilt and shame after each episode. This at least somewhat taken the stress out of it. The girl in the video is so brave and strong and doing so well. I hope, someday, I can overcome my disorder as well as she does. (sry for my English, I'm not a native speaker)
My legs look like hers! I've been struggling with this for as long as I can remember, and I've only recently got it more under control. My worst place is my scalp, I'm sure it looks like a minefield. I've found it helps me to shift to my other, non-destructive OCD tendencies when I'm feeling especially picky, and keeping my hands busy. I crochet when I watch TV. My fiance also helps a lot by tapping me when I'm scratching to make me aware of it so I can stop.
I do this. It’s one of the ways my ocd/anxiety disorder manifests itself. I don’t do it as much anymore, but still probably like once a month, or so. I don’t have a support system. All of my issues are 100% dealt with by myself. I have to consciously stop myself, which causes another set of problems like stomach pain, irritability, muscle aches, etc.; to combat the entire event, I must remove myself from the house/environment, all together. I usually take my kids out to do something. They’re the perfect distraction. My skin has scars, my legs look so similar, but no open wounds today. Thankful to never have experienced infection, also. Stay strong, girl! ❤️🌻 Edit: Oooo - she created a support system?!? How do I get support/community? Can I get in?? Lol. I’m so pathetic 🙄
Thank you for sharing your story! ❤️ I’ve been bad about picking at my acne. Hiding my scars under a Covid mask has somewhat made me feel less self-conscious.
As someone who has had trichotillomania since they were 10, I fully understand her and appreciate her bravery. People don't understand that it isn't something you can stop as most of the time your not even aware you're doing it. It can definitely drain you of your confidence but I'm glad you are finding yours again. Definitely an inspiration ☺️
This is really inspiring. I've struggled with skin picking since 3rd grade and over the years have picked nearly every area of my body at some point. I have OCD and it makes totally sense that it's correlated with skin picking. There are ebbs and flows - sometimes it's a huge struggle and sometimes I have weeks where I won't pick at all. That said, it's a lifetime struggle that nobody ever is "cured" from. It's so wonderful to hear this story.
There are some medications that really, really help. Also therapy, avoid mirrors, put bandaids on sores. Get your nails done with gels, dip powder or acrylic. It really makes it hard to pick. Know that you are not alone and there is help out there that actually works.
I do this too. I’ve realized how incredibly Auqafor heals the areas I’ve picked on my face only recently. I’ll have picked so bad that I won’t want to leave the house.
As someone who has suffered from this since the age of 11 (now in my 40's), its always nice to see it spoken about. I first learned about dermatillomania in Cosmopolitan magazine, of all places, back in the early 2000's. They did an article on trichotillomania but had a side bar on similar conditions, and it was mentioned there. I was like, oh my gosh, that is ME! I don't have it as severely as this person, as in I don't pick open wounds, but my face, and upper body is riddled with scars from picking acne, and the tips of my fingers are scarred as well from picking the skin there. Any bump or loose bit of skin (like a hangnail) will be picked. But thankfully I leave scabs alone.
Thank you so much for sharing you story! My legs are extremely scarred from dermatillomania and my arms are getting bad. And oh yes, the abscess with the black scab that doesn’t pick off, MRSA!!!!! Ive had MRSA too many times to count. I was hospitalized twice for it both being by my eye. She makes me feel less alone. Thank you sweetie!
I’ve dealt with trichotillomania for a while, which is basically the same thing as dermatillomania but instead it’s with my hair. It’s really hard sometimes because it’s so physically painful to pull that much hair so often and it’s hard to deal with the physical impacts of it but I’ve been slowly working on recovering from it :) to everyone out there with other picking disorders, you’re not alone!
I pick all the time, especially my face, head and back. In my forties now, I can really see the damage it's done to my face...scars, broken capillaries, I'm sure it has visually aged me. Nice to see ppl on here with the same condition. I mainly pick out of boredom, like when I'm not busy and just sitting around watching TV etc.
Gotta keep those hands busy. Drawing, jigsaws, sewing, knitting, painting, jewellery making, typing, gaming, wood carving, gardening... Basically any hobby where you have to use your hands. It not only keeps your hands occupied, but is a great stress reliever as well.
I’ve had dermatillomania and trichotillomania for 14 yrs and it does become debilitating. No matter how many people tell you to stop it’s not that easy! It’s such an ingrained thing that I’ll pull my hair and rub my arms to find all the imperfections without even realizing I’m doing it. Getting an infection is my worst fear. Wishing you Lauren the best!
WOW! I came across this and related so much to this! I'm a picker, I have scars on my legs and face and back, arms. I love the feeling of the scab coming off, the pain....and I wouldn't leave it alone, what might of started off as maybe a pimple or ingrown hair, I'd pick at it...again and again... I've always liked the feeling of a scab as far back as a child, I couldn't just put a band aid on and leave it. If someone has a scab or skin condition I'm like let me at it ! So for me it makes me question if I have some degree of it🤔 Thank you for sharing your story.
I also suffer from this, my face has been severely self-damaged through the years. It was so nice to hear a name for this OC behaviour and that we're not alone 💖
Wow…I never knew that skin-picking could be so dangerous… I do it CONSTANTLY out of anxiety and this definitely makes me want to stop more. It’s really great that she’s doing pretty well now. :’)
Omg me too :(
Same. It’s completely ruined my self esteem :/
@@choochoopicklepie I bet. :'(
Never realized so many dealt with this
Me too I pick around my cuticles on my hands. And I pick scabs if I get injured. I didn't know that there was a name for it.
I’ve struggled with this most of my life, and I didn’t know it had a name until recently. My biggest thing was picking my fingers (especially my thumbs), picking layers and layers of skin off daily, until they bled. They’d get so bad I had basically damaged my entire thumbs. I’d put bandaids on once they got too bad, they’d heal a little, but I’d start again as soon as the bandaids were off. At the age of 33 I had Finally had enough, and made a commitment to myself to stop. I haven’t done it in a year now and my thumbs look amazing ☺️
You're me! You're describing my life right now. I can't remeber the last time my thumbs looked normal. How did you make yourself stop? I've tried bandaids, gloves, tape, plastic, tissue... you name it. I want to stop so bad but I can't and it makes me so sad not being able to wear cute rings, do my nails, wear nail polish, show my hands confidently. I hide them and I don't want to do it anymore.
@@MonaLisa-kz6hz I definitely feel you 😞 it got to the point where people would outright ask me “what happened to your thumbs?” And even some kids I work with were scared of them, and they would stare straight away. I would tell them I burnt my thumbs, as that’s basically what it looked like. It took me years of wanting to stop before I actually did. I would wear bandaids as it helped me get out of the habit. I’d wear the same ones for weeks on end, then change them over, then I’d pick the Band-Aid and not my thumbs, so it slowly got me out of the habit. That took me years though. Then when I saw how healed they were that was further motivation. As soon as I picked again, I’d put bandaids straight back on for another few weeks. Then one day, once the bandaids came off, I just didn’t pick again. I honestly thought I would never get through it, and some days I’m surprised I did. I do still pick my other fingers occasionally, but never my thumbs. It’s like an addiction, if I start, I know I’ll never stop. I did carry fidgets around for a little while too to keep my fingers busy. Best of luck to you!
@@jasminemoukachar6677 Thank you so much for opening up and for giving me solutions! I will definitely try those and I will try my best for the sake of my precious fingers and mind... thank you ❤
I have the same thing (picking the skin on my fingers) and I just can't stop. I've tried many times, but usually I end up biting my nails then the skin. It started bc of some stress I dealt with during Lock down when I even bit the inside of my mouth until my cheeks were constantly raw or my bottom lip till I had sores. I stopped with that, but the finger-biting is something I still have to work with
Fingers are still a major struggle. I have damaged my fingers and finger nails. They don’t grow in right and there are pretty ugly. Maybe that part is just genetics lol
I have Dermatillomania aka Excoriation disorder. I'm so ashamed of the scars and sores and scabs all over my body. Nothing has ever helped except staying away from mirrors but then the picking just goes elsewhere. It's a devastating illness and telling us to "just stop picking" makes it worse. We do it without realization and it's a calming mechanism.
I have the same condition as you. Something that really helped me is search for psychological help and occupy my entire time doing something using my hands, like drawing, studying, cooking etc and my psychiatry told me to take some medicine to control my depression and anxiety
I only do it to my thumb though.
@@liu.calazans have the meds helped? They haven't helped me 😔
This is crazy I never even knew there was a condition I can't say that I'm this bad but I constantly do it especially on my legs and I did already have really bad anxiety I guess it makes me feel better knowing that I am not alone I have not got Mersa yet but I have got cellulitis multiple times where my leg got inflamed and I had to get antibiotics
@@lindsay6343 oh man I'm so sorry. We have a "bad habit" of using anything to pick and rarely making sure it's clean enough to puncture skin. Usually because it's an obsessive condition so we don't think about sterilizing things first, we just need that "fix".
I love how she discusses her coping techniques...those tips could really help somebody.
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The way she has adapted and came up with her own strategies is incredible! Props to her!!!!!
I was told I have and its OCD related which I believe(on meds.) I'm kinda wonky about cleanliness and germs. Which is why I dont bite my fingers or nails. Too unsanitary for me. Years and years of skin picking my lips til raw and bleeding🤦♀️🤦♀️
I love spicy food sooooo...ouch!
I find if I wear lipstick/chapstick and re-apply continuously all day.. I stop. The moment it's off and I feel dry skin. Geesh here we go. I hope I can stop this. Thanks for listening❤✌🏽
@@sugarrose8640 you can! Mind over matter!! I’m sure it’s more complicated and difficult than that but you can do it! I don’t know you but I believe in you!!
Thanks so much for the support! 💖
I used to struggle with trichotillomania aka hair-pulling-disorder. It's always very comforting to see other people going through something similar, it makes me feel less alone. Thank you for sharing your story and helping others
How did you overcome it?
@@ruruville I'm honestly not sure. I just constantly reminded myself to not do it and whenever I caught myself doing it I forced myself to stop. I also tried to keep myself busy. It took a few months till I fully stopped
I used to back in my early twenties and now in my late twenties I’m finding myself doing it again. 😩
@@ruruville I have trichotillomania too. (I have OCD which manifests as skin picking, hair pulling, and compulsive eating for me). There's numerous support groups for trichotillomania on Facebook that have been wonderful and supportive. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been super helpful too. School is my trigger, and since I'm a grad student, the struggle isn't ending anytime soon, but cognitive behavioral therapy has given me the tools to at least fight it, and it's made a huge difference.
I have ocd and at my worst I pulled a 1/5 of whole head of hair out as well as having skin picking. The best way I stopped hair pulling was noticing when I would start going up to my hair and keeping my hands busy when I'm anxious, but if anyone's want to talk about this stuff im free, have had these known symptoms for about 10 years now even though I have stopped hair pulling, I still constant skin pick unfortunately.
When I saw the notification for this video, I was shocked. Dermatillomania, is never talked about in social media. I myself have the condition, my picking is also pretty severe. I will say, it was comforting seeing this video. Hearing her story, helped me feel less alone. ♡
Same here. I love that they talk about it. I also have Dermatillomania and I basically pick daily
So happy our founders story has helped you in your journey! Sending so much love and support your way
If anyone finds this helpful, I wanted to share 10 things that really helped in my healing from this disorder:
1. Diet: Avoiding intoxicants and stimulants. I abstain completely from alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, marijuana, etc… I also eat a vegetarian diet as I found in experimentation that when I ate meat, it increased anxiety and irritation. Chocolate and sugar can also trigger anxiety so I try to have them in moderation.
2. I learned to separate the picking from other passive activities. For example, picking was often happening when my mind was distracted by something else, TV, internet, etc… so when I recognized I was picking, I would stop the other passive activity and just observe. The picking would stop and after some time , I could resume the activity.
3. Physical exercise to drain the anxiety energy was key. Lots and lots of LONNNNNNG walks. Power yoga was also great for this.
4. Picking is a habit. So the habit can be reversed. Once I got this, I realized I couldn’t indulge in the habit or it would continue. When I found myself picking or having an urge to pick I would stop all other activity and start watching the clock. I would say “No picking for 5 minutes.” I would focus exclusively on the clock and the time passing and on not picking. Sometimes I would even sit on my hands. If the urge hadn’t passed I would increase the time by another 5. In the beginning it was agony. But the less I did the repeated habit of picking, the less hold it had on me.
5. Selfless service: volunteering. Helped me get out of thinking only of myself.
6. And at the same time: Learning how to say no and to become less concerned with what others thought about me or needed from me. Protecting myself from others.
7. Lots of quiet time with less sensory stimulation.
8. Reading inspirational books
9. The practice of positive mental affirmations (First out loud, then in a whisper and then mentally.) Example:“I am submerged in Eternal Light. It permeates every particle of my being. I am living in that light. The divine light fills me within and without.”
10. Meditation: here’s one I love: ruclips.net/video/TnP9PeHbvTM/видео.html
The biggest thing for me was to take it moment by moment and to not think too far in the future. “I only have this 5 minutes of not picking. I don’t have to think of the next 24 hours or years. Just this breath. And now this one.”
I hope this helps someone else out there. I love you all and know the pain you are in. You are beautiful and brave warriors of love and I’m honored you are on this battlefield of life with me. 🙏♥️🙏♥️🙏
This list is actually pretty fantastic for most habits. Thank you!
Hi Kirsten! Some of these came from listening to an audio series by Deepak Chopra called Magical Mind, Magical Body. These are strategies he teaches at his addiction recovery center. It was one of the helpful tools I used while recovering! Another tool he mentioned was using sesame oil and giving a loving massage to the body. I started doing that as well which helped me have a more positive relationship with my body since I was spending so much time picking at it. It was nice to do loving touch instead of destructive touch. Thank you for your comment! 💕
I also have dermatillomania. I’m scarred all over my body because of my picking. I’m SO thankful I’ve never gotten MRSA from it, though I have had MRSA infections. They’re absolutely awful! I’m so happy that more people are talking about this condition because so many people are affected by it. Thank you for being so brave and sharing your story ❤️
Yep. Me too
I have it also. I wonder if it’s hereditary bc my mother had trichotillomania (pulling out hair), but hers wasn’t bad enough to be noticeable. And my son now also does the same thing. I’ve never done the hair pulling, but I definitely have dermatillomania.
@@kyliCatherine1 if you have a mood disorder(which is what OCD falls under I believe), your kids have a genetic predisposition to have it too, not a guarantee, just more likely. My mom twirls her hair and has dermatillomania(which I always thought was called excoriation so I learned something new), my sister picks compulsively, and I pick a bit and have trichotillomania. The good news is, if you have kiddos, you can recognize the signs early and get help for it. Cognitive behavioral therapy makes a world of difference!
@@thighsthelimit OCD is an anxiety disorder.
@@Smile56329 thank you i always mix up the mood and anxiety disorders
I’m so glad this condition is being talked about. I suffered from it for years. At one point the picking habit became so engrained I would wake up in the middle of the night and find my hand crawling on my face like some weird spider. We didn’t know it was a thing and so it made me feel isolated. Friends who didn’t know what it was, would suggest treatments for my skin without understanding what was causing it. That made it worse. I’m happy people are sharing their stories now so that there is more support. Sending my love to all who suffer from this condition. And thank you for making this video and for the brave souls bringing this to light. ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for sharing love, you're not alone! #PickingMe
I’m absolutely going to send in my story to your foundation’s website- for so long I felt alone in what I do, but now I know they’re others out there like me. Honestly, thank you so much for sharing your story!
Yes, we're so excited to feature you!! :-)
I've been picking for the majority of my 46 year old life. I have never had a MRSA infection. Thank God! I have tried the fidgets, the playdough, the cutting of my nails, and the focus on WHY I am choosing to pick when I am nervous. I don't think it will ever cease. It is nice to know that there is a foundation for such things, so people don't feel so alone in it. I refuse to wear the long sleeves, and I go around people often, because it stops me somewhat. Next week I have parent-teacher conferences, so I already cut my nails and am preparing for the event. I wish I could just stop!
Love to you! I have suffered from this condition as well and I know the pain you’re going through. ♥️
My daughter actually keeps her nails LONG and that's what helps her. She mostly picks around her nails but especially her thumbs.
I pick on my face and fingers mostly, so when it was the worst I wore makeup often. I didn't want to ruin it. Same with nail polish, but it didn't help as much. Having aligners atm makes less chances to bite my nails as well. Hope some of it helps a bit
I’m a slight skin picker. I only go for my scalp. I feel her pain.
I did that as well, since I tend to fidget a lot while reading or studying (you don't want to see the state of my pens). When my mom noticed all the dandruff I kinda realized that I should stop. I sort of just kept my nails short, so it's hard to actually pick at the skin, and eventually I got out of the habit
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I am scalp and thighs.
I do it to...😔
Finding this video was honestly so empowering for me. I've always been painfully aware of the fact that resources and support are so hard to find for my dermatillomania and dermatophagia symptoms. They've always seemed so severe and shameful to me because I had no one else to relate to. It felt like I had some extreme version of the disorder, and like I was trapped with it alone. Seeing her and her confidence, and how far she's come is inspiring, seeing a whole comment section full of supportive people, many of which know what this disorder is like, makes me feel a kind of comfort I've never heard in regards to this disorder. It has always been a trigger for someone else to talk to me about it, or tell me I should just stop. I've been working so hard not to touch my face, hands and lips. I'm making progress and it's empowering knowing I'm not doing it alone.
I have this disorder. I'm 59 and it's been a issue since my parents died in 2015. I started on my body in 2017 and it has gotten better. I have had no way to fill my loss yet. I am in therapy and take medication.
Wishing you all the best in your treatment.
I am so sorry about your loss and so happy you reached out for therapy and meds.
Please know you're not alone and have a whole community of support behind you
I actually suffer with this and I can totally relate to her. It’s is an ocd disorder and it’s addictive too. You know your doing it and you have the potential to scaring or a bacterial infections.
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Never had answers. Saw so many doctors through my life. All they ever said was to "just stop"as if it's so simple. Only This last year I came across a RUclips video of a doctor, with a name and answers. I felt so validated. I thought I was alone this entire time. Never met another.
Thankyou for sharing this, it means the world. I have Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania and most of the time it feels like no one else has them and that comes with a lot of shame about my scars or missing hair. It was just really touching to see someone speak so openly about their struggles but also provide some ways you have found to cope and adapt (I'll have to give some a try). Kia kaha
I have this condition. More MRSA infections than I can count, now I'm antibiotic resistant. Once I got sepsis, when a body's so infected the BLOOD BECOMES INFECTED. I picked skin as a kid but by puberty was severe, exacerbated by social anxiety, depression & #1: use of hard drugs. I became addicted to harder & harder drugs. When I was 24 got MRSA got meds from local ER where I was a regular. The infection seemed to go away but a week later stared to feel sick like I had a bad chest cold. I waited over a month, until I was severely ill & coughing up blood to go to ER. Took a few tests cameback & said youre very very sick & admitted me. My IV would pus up, I had big deep tissue abscess on hip the size of a softball & was cut opened & cleaned w/surgery. Also had a pulmonary embolism, infections of lungs. They inserted 2 chest tubes between ribs into lung to drain all the pus. Spent 3 weeks in hospital & sent home w/ PIC line (IV) for 3 antibiotic & fungal meds daily for 6 weeks. So I had tube coming out of my arm connected to a ball like bag of meds in my pocket. I have been clean for 8 yrs but I still pick not nearly as bad tho.
I'm a nail biter and cuticle picker. Sometimes I bite my nails so low the pain keeps me up at night. Like a few others who have posted already, acrylic nails help and I'm currently teaching myself how to apply them on my own because I don't like going to the salon. I have started ordering some things online to keep my hands busy throughout the day. I ordered some stuff called Thinking Putty and it's helped quite a bit. Just yesterday I did an online search for "fidget toys for skin pickers" and found that lava rocks/pumice stones filled with a latex paint/glue mixture sold with dental tools is a thing on Etsy and Amazon. I'm thinking about making my own. Just wanted to share.
As painful as any diagnosis is knowing what it is helps you learn to adapt, manage, and treat. As you so eloquently noted in your video. You have learned so many techniques in managing your condition. Bravo bravo
Thank you so much!!! 💖
Got a little teary watching this, just because it's nice to see a reminder that I'm not alone. My mom and I both have OCD (she picks a lot, I pick a little and also have trichotillomania), and she ended up in the hospital from it as well. It was scary. OCD is no joke, and can take over your life. I'm so glad this wonderful woman is taking the time to be open about her mental health and open communication, because sometimes the biggest thing is just knowing you aren't alone and having other people to talk to about it. ❤️
Thank you so much for the support love
I'm literally crying because I've been seen and finally found ways to cope with life and tips on healing. Bless this woman.
😘 Sending lots of love
Wow I’ve never even heard of this. I’m proud of her for moving past this 🙏🏽💜
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I can relate, I chew my nails and finger tips non stop.
The only thing that has stopped me from doing it is acrylic nails.
Now I always wear them because they are hard to take off and stop me from my obsessive tendency.
Same when I used to bite mine they were a necessity to stop my fingertips from throbbing
I used to bite mine so bad they were always bleeding and sore.:/
I did try acrylics and it helped but it got too expensive.
So I started doing mine at home, just regular nail polish with shiny top coat and file in different shapes.
If they are not painted I still will get the urge to bend them over and over until they "accidentally break" and start to chew on all of them, to "make them even". 😬
But now I stop myself and hurry and grab the nail clippers and snip them all off quickly before I get back into it.
Then nail polish and gloss coat again! 😊 I feel myself slowly getting more distant from the urge to bite.
Good luck to you all!
We can overcome💕
I pick my fingers but learning about the Infections that Can Occur I'm gonna stop. It Might take A little time but it's gonna happen.
Acrylic nails 💅 helped me too
Same, except you get people who are like: why do you always wear cutex? Why are your knuckles bruised? I never know how to reply😅
This is a struggle I deal with and I had no idea there was a group that may be able to help me stop. Thanks for sharing!
This is so incredible to me. I have picked at my skin since I was a small child, I am now 49. I was physically and mentally abused so going to the doctor just wasn’t an option. Now that I see this….we’ll it’s ME!!!! I have scars everywhere. My older sister used to call me “picky, picky, dig, itch” and sing it whenever I had friends around. It still hurts many many years later. I’m so relieved that I am not alone. Yet I hate to see others suffering.
You're not alone love, we're here for you! Sending so much support your way!
Oh my gosh. This is a thing. I tend to do this when I’m stressed/ not well / not emotionally regulated. I honestly didn’t know other people had this. Also what a beautiful positive video, beautiful woman and her mum is so supportive ❤️💕
Thank you so much love! You're not alone
Thank you for sharing this largely unknown disorder. Proud of you, Laura, for sharing your story. God bless you, girl!
I’ve struggled with this for so many years, sometimes it might be ok for a few years but dealing with difficult things it brings it back. It started when I was 16 after we left a domestic violence environment and my parents divorced. I remember having to wear long sleeves during the summer because it looked like I was in a cat fight. Bright lights and mirrors are definitely triggers for me too. My main areas used to be my face and arms and surprisingly enough I don’t have any visible scars now. I never ever as a 16 year old knew that this even had a name.
Inspired by u man
@@kaifkhan1708 thank you for your kind comment
Sending so much love, your experience is so, so valid
I pick when I have anxiety and my PTSD is happening. I pick my scabs if I get cuts or scratches and the scabs from surgery. I also have diabetes that is controlled now but for years it was out of control and I could've got infections that I would've had to have amputation if serious enough. But now my A1C is 4.6 and I don't take anything for my diabetes. But back to the subject of picking I would also pick my boyfriend's acne too. I just thought it was normal. I didn't know there was a name for picking. I'm glad this young woman is bring it front and center for the world to open up and talk about it. It shouldn't be so taboo.
this is amazing to see - i’ve followed her for years and i’m happy to see her story on here. i love you lauren! you give so much hope for others💕
Love you!!!!
Lauren did I say inspirational man there is no words to describe who you are oh my God you are such a positive positive positive person for you to take your challenge to help others you are phenomenal and I love the foundation and name of your organization keep up the great work
I had a cop think i was a drug addict due to a few scabs on my hands. I was mortified.
This is what I was diagnosed with at tge age of 24. Since I've been on my meds and kept my mental health under more control, I haven't done it as bad. I still do it from time to time, but definitely not as bad as I use to. I'm happy she found a source of support online to help her. I never had this.
Sending so much love and support your way! We're here for you
@@pickingmefdn7441 thank you so much. I'm so happy there're acgual foundations out there now for this.
So awesome I’m glad she overcame it I have Trichotillimania which is hair picking. It’s very inspiring and makes me hopeful for me to overcome mine.
me too girl! just fyi there's tons of support groups for it on facebook that are wonderful, and if you're interested in therapy for it, cognitive behavioral therapy has worked wonders for me
You got this love! Sending so much support
I had no idea this condition existed! It's really relatable. I started picking excessively around puberty because of acne and as my acne got better, the picking did too even though I still struggle with it.
Then once I started recovery for my eating disorder, the picking flared up again. A lot of times I'll start scratching myself when I'm eating as a way to distract myself. Sometimes I'll finish a meal and my chest will be bright red from scratching and I hadn't even realized I was doing it.
Im really glad there is more awareness about this, I have had dermatillomania for as long as i can remember, i have had multiple staph infections and one even resulted in necrotic tissue forming. I remember all throughout high-school i constantly had dried blood somewhere, whether it was smeared on my face or between my nails. A lot of people often assume I am either on drugs or having tactile hallucinations, and i have often receive looks of disgust if i pick my skin out in public. I have been attempting to pick less, and today is the first 24 hours i have had in years without skin picking, i hope anyone else who is struggling with this knows they arent alone in this ❤️
This story is very much like my own. I have adhd and this for some go hand in hand. I got such a bad infection at one point I was in the hospital for 2 week! I’m so much better I keep lots of fidget toys in my pocket at all times. And I have a partner who recognizes the problem and just reminds me to stop
There is hope guys. It’s now something that’s in the back of my mind when before it was a Constant struggle ❤️
Me too! I also have adhd and this. I should rly look more into fidget toys.
Thank you so much for this. People automatically assume that I'm some drug addict or I have some contagious disease or something. My face is so, so scarred I just don't even try talking to people outside my family. Thank you so, so much for putting yourself out there like this, just thank you!
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I suffer from Dermatillomania as well. I’ve had skin infections that have landed me in the hospital. This disorder is so difficult to live with. Prayers to anyone else who has this.
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Wow those were some really good, practical strategies to help :) Thank you for sharing your story and for helping others on their journey :) ♡
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She's awesome and she's doing some good for people who cope with this. She's very intelligent to. Bless her heart for what she is doing!
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Im so glad this video was made. My daughter does this and has done this for years. Her skin heals and she starts again. Most times she doesn't even realize she is doing it. Thank you so so much. 🙏
I've struggled with this for years and years. I've come accept it. I wish I could successfully stop, but I'm not ashamed like a was before.
Not gonna lie, at least I didn’t know where this was going but I’m glad I stuck around and watched.. personally I’m not a picker. However I am drug addict in long term recovery so I know very well what it feels like to hear someone else, a stranger, tell your story and I also know how important it is to find your people. I skimmed through the comments and I’m shocked at how many people say they have this condition. But I really hope that you all join the community and support each other, you all deserve it, the best!! Sending lots of love and light to each and every single one of you💖💖💖
Been following and interacting with picking me foundation since a while now on twitter and this is the first time I'm getting to know about the founder. You're so inspiring!! Thanks for sharing your story and investing your time and energy in picking me foundation. ❤
I've had 2 major bacterial infections on my chin bcuz of this which caused me to get even more bullied (I had to take antibiotics) + sometimes my fingers hurt so bad I can't sleep. This makes me feel not so embarrased and alone ❤
Please don’t be embarrassed. You wouldn’t be embarrassed if you had eczema which is also NOT your fault. I hope you find you’re not alone.
Me too, I had to take antibiotics
There are medications that are really helpful in stopping the picking. Avoid mirrors. Get your nails done with gels or dip powder or acrylics - it makes it much harder to pick. You do not have to suffer with this condition forever - there ways to help stop it and you are absolutely not alone. No judgement, no shame.
I don’t know what to do because when i stop picking one part of my body, i’ll move on to another
I have dermotillomania as well, but not to that severity. I'm so glad that you didn't end up losing your leg and that you're in a positive position in your life and helping others
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Omg this honestly makes me feel like I’m not alone. I started picking when I was 15 after being diagnosed with lupus and I’ve been struggling ever since. I honestly didn’t know how serious this could get. I honestly thought this was a way to cope with my anxiety and OCD. Lauren thank you for sharing your story. I really needed it!
i experience this on a milder level. mostly when my hands are idle and i don't have anything to focus on, or when i'm anxious. i'm glad there is more awareness being spread about it!
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OMG this what I suffer from Thanks for being Brave enough to share BIG HUGS
I love that you use your condition to help others and how you make sure you don't have triggers. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and when the skin is raised I pick it and I bleed sometimes so I have to train myself to moisten my skin instead of picking it
You are so brave and so beautiful! I realized from an early age that there was very minor skin picking issue in my family. It was confined to picking hangnails but my brother really destroyed his fingers. We would laugh if a problem came up was it a 2 hang nail problem or a 3. We didn't have a name for it or know it was a real disorder. But we acknowledged it to help each other stop picking. I, however, did "secret picking" that others didn't see. I had Polio as a 2 y/o - I am 70 now - and dealing with so much chronic pain and a rare disease throughout my life, I know picking was a stress response and a stress reliever. I was grateful and empowered when I learned about skin picking - the why's about it and the solutions. With me, comparatively, my picking was very mild and I rarely pick now, but I have some scars on my arms and legs. However, when I see them now, I am reminded of just how strong that little 2 y/o was and how I conquered so many difficulties in my life. They are part of me and part of my story.
Blessings to all,
Karen
Thank you so much for the support and for sharing your journey. You're so strong! Sending so much love and support your way
I have the same condition, but I never being so far. Although is very disappointing when you finish and you notice that you can't control yourself because the problem is in your head and not on your skin
Thanks for this story. You are extremely courageous ! I have always picked my cuticles raw. I pick on scabs. It sucks. Learning to distract myself is huge. Good luck beautiful ❤️❤️❤️
Oh my God my fiance has this! I never knew it had a name! He almost contracted mrsa 2 years ago from picking the ssme area on his arm. I'm just stunned right now because I kind of felt like he was the only one that did this. Thank you for posting this on here
She's precious.
Still perfect 🧡
Omg. I cant believe this video came up....because I've hidden behind jeans and long sleeves for years...but now I might have an answer to what I'm doing.... thank you sooooo much...
My favorite is my scalp. I noticed while driving I would just pick my scalp. I didn’t know there was an actual condition.
Thank you Lauren for sharing your story. It, just like you, is inspirational.
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I absolutely love how you share your Coping Techniques. The mirror with the hearts is so cute. This was really inspiring for me 💞
My picking started at age 13 when my face started to break out and I’ve been picking at my face ever since. These days I find that watching pimple popping videos on RUclips helps me, and my face looks a lot better. Those videos have a lot of commenters saying it calms their anxiety and OCD. I still pick and I still chew on my cheek lining, but at least those videos have cut down on the damage!
Right there with ya girl. Got MRSA from the same thing. I've dug holes in my skin for hours. It absolutely causes a ton of shame.
My name is Lauren too… and if I don’t have my tweezers I drive myself crazy. When I feel the need to pick I have to do it to make me feel better .
Damn, I've been struggling with this for years. Its so comforting to see that I'm not alone:) This condition is rarely, if ever talked about, especially on social media. I mainly go for my lips and hands, so masks and fidgets especially help! My favorites are definitely tangles, those pressure rings, and skinny fidget rings :)
As someone who has struggled with this illness my whole life, this really brought a smile to my face.
I also have derma/compulsive skin picking, and it is the single greatest struggle of my life. It began in elementary school & has affected my relationship with my parents, my friends, my romantic interests & took thousands upon thousands of hours away from studying, socializing, and relaxing and enjoying my free time. It's so, so hard to deal with, even talking about it just drains my energy. I self diagnosed in my early 20s after multiple doctors being unable to help me or understand what I was dealing with, and finally received a diagnosis from a psychiatrist last year.
To everyone suffering from this, I understand you. I've been where you are & walk in your shoes.
She's beautiful, strong, and doing so much to help others. Just when you think that you're the only one!
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I’m certainly a picker. Mostly my face and feet. It’s definitely a calming mechanism for me and before I know it, I’m picking until I bleed. Thank you for you courage!
I have extreme dermatilamania on my entire body and its been an issue my whole life. I made a mistake and the guilt made it worse. I bought a house on a large wooded property and the mosquitos have made it 10 times worse then it ever been causing me to pick and itch so bad
Am always skin picking to an extent that my back has visible scars due to anxiety! I get how you feel! I hope you're healing okay!
I dont have this condition but sometimes i start picking on my skin when i have blackheads or some texture and it is very hard to stop. Like i have to tell myself "ok enough!". It is definitely addicting and I can imagine that if you also have other issues like anxiety it can take over your life.
The way she is dealing with this is commendable 💕
Such a strong young woman. Glad she formed a group to provide support and find support around her condition.
I hope she reads this:
Wow! What a strong, incredible and beautiful woman. I'm so proud of her founding the organization and giving so many people hope.
All my life I thought, I was "weird". Was told by numerous people "just leave your fingers off it", but never could. And didn't understand why.
Now I was dealing with several other psychiatric disorders and traumas due to childhood abuse.
Some day I somehow stumbled across the name of this disorder. I read an article about it and sat there shocked, with open mouth, as this article was 100% written about my life and my experiences.
That's when I knew, I wasn't 'weird' at all, but that it was a disorder.
Now my specialist doctor is trying to minimize my most present and afflicting illnesses, so my skin picking disorder isn't yet therapized or professionally looked at. My doctor knows about it, but he has other priorities.
But for me, knowing it is a disorder, helped so much. It didn't minimize my episodes, but it somehow minimized my feeling of guilt and shame after each episode. This at least somewhat taken the stress out of it.
The girl in the video is so brave and strong and doing so well. I hope, someday, I can overcome my disorder as well as she does.
(sry for my English, I'm not a native speaker)
My legs look like hers! I've been struggling with this for as long as I can remember, and I've only recently got it more under control. My worst place is my scalp, I'm sure it looks like a minefield. I've found it helps me to shift to my other, non-destructive OCD tendencies when I'm feeling especially picky, and keeping my hands busy. I crochet when I watch TV. My fiance also helps a lot by tapping me when I'm scratching to make me aware of it so I can stop.
I love this . Thank you so much for sharing
Mine is bad at the moment thank you so much for sharing x
I do this. It’s one of the ways my ocd/anxiety disorder manifests itself.
I don’t do it as much anymore, but still probably like once a month, or so.
I don’t have a support system. All of my issues are 100% dealt with by myself.
I have to consciously stop myself, which causes another set of problems like stomach pain, irritability, muscle aches, etc.; to combat the entire event, I must remove myself from the house/environment, all together. I usually take my kids out to do something.
They’re the perfect distraction.
My skin has scars, my legs look so similar, but no open wounds today.
Thankful to never have experienced infection, also.
Stay strong, girl! ❤️🌻
Edit: Oooo - she created a support system?!?
How do I get support/community? Can I get in??
Lol. I’m so pathetic 🙄
Thank you for sharing your story! ❤️
I’ve been bad about picking at my acne. Hiding my scars under a Covid mask has somewhat made me feel less self-conscious.
You're not alone 💖
She’s amazing what willpower & fabulousness!!
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As someone who has had trichotillomania since they were 10, I fully understand her and appreciate her bravery. People don't understand that it isn't something you can stop as most of the time your not even aware you're doing it. It can definitely drain you of your confidence but I'm glad you are finding yours again. Definitely an inspiration ☺️
This is really inspiring. I've struggled with skin picking since 3rd grade and over the years have picked nearly every area of my body at some point. I have OCD and it makes totally sense that it's correlated with skin picking. There are ebbs and flows - sometimes it's a huge struggle and sometimes I have weeks where I won't pick at all. That said, it's a lifetime struggle that nobody ever is "cured" from. It's so wonderful to hear this story.
There are some medications that really, really help. Also therapy, avoid mirrors, put bandaids on sores. Get your nails done with gels, dip powder or acrylic. It really makes it hard to pick. Know that you are not alone and there is help out there that actually works.
I do this too. I’ve realized how incredibly Auqafor heals the areas I’ve picked on my face only recently. I’ll have picked so bad that I won’t want to leave the house.
So proud of you! 💖💖💖💖💖
She is so inspirational. It's amazing she started a non profit from her own struggles. She is bringing so much awareness to her condition.
As someone who has suffered from this since the age of 11 (now in my 40's), its always nice to see it spoken about. I first learned about dermatillomania in Cosmopolitan magazine, of all places, back in the early 2000's. They did an article on trichotillomania but had a side bar on similar conditions, and it was mentioned there. I was like, oh my gosh, that is ME! I don't have it as severely as this person, as in I don't pick open wounds, but my face, and upper body is riddled with scars from picking acne, and the tips of my fingers are scarred as well from picking the skin there. Any bump or loose bit of skin (like a hangnail) will be picked. But thankfully I leave scabs alone.
Thank you so much for sharing you story! My legs are extremely scarred from dermatillomania and my arms are getting bad. And oh yes, the abscess with the black scab that doesn’t pick off, MRSA!!!!! Ive had MRSA too many times to count. I was hospitalized twice for it both being by my eye. She makes me feel less alone. Thank you sweetie!
I am so happy that she found a way to cope with her disorder. ☺
I struggling with picking also. my right side of my leg is a mess. I'm trying to overcome it though but it's tough. thank you for sharing your story.
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I’ve dealt with trichotillomania for a while, which is basically the same thing as dermatillomania but instead it’s with my hair. It’s really hard sometimes because it’s so physically painful to pull that much hair so often and it’s hard to deal with the physical impacts of it but I’ve been slowly working on recovering from it :) to everyone out there with other picking disorders, you’re not alone!
I have this. I hate it. It's lovely her courage and tips
I pick all the time, especially my face, head and back. In my forties now, I can really see the damage it's done to my face...scars, broken capillaries, I'm sure it has visually aged me. Nice to see ppl on here with the same condition. I mainly pick out of boredom, like when I'm not busy and just sitting around watching TV etc.
Gotta keep those hands busy. Drawing, jigsaws, sewing, knitting, painting, jewellery making, typing, gaming, wood carving, gardening... Basically any hobby where you have to use your hands. It not only keeps your hands occupied, but is a great stress reliever as well.
I’ve had dermatillomania and trichotillomania for 14 yrs and it does become debilitating. No matter how many people tell you to stop it’s not that easy! It’s such an ingrained thing that I’ll pull my hair and rub my arms to find all the imperfections without even realizing I’m doing it. Getting an infection is my worst fear. Wishing you Lauren the best!
Bless her
WOW! I came across this and related so much to this! I'm a picker, I have scars on my legs and face and back, arms. I love the feeling of the scab coming off, the pain....and I wouldn't leave it alone, what might of started off as maybe a pimple or ingrown hair, I'd pick at it...again and again... I've always liked the feeling of a scab as far back as a child, I couldn't just put a band aid on and leave it. If someone has a scab or skin condition I'm like let me at it ! So for me it makes me question if I have some degree of it🤔 Thank you for sharing your story.
Me too!
I also suffer from this, my face has been severely self-damaged through the years. It was so nice to hear a name for this OC behaviour and that we're not alone 💖