i went to a dermatologist and he said just stop picking at the pimples and i try really hard but then i start to pick and i go into almost some sort of trance until i’ve “fixed” the problem on my face.
Yeah because it's subconscious....it's impossible to consciously stop picking, you need to reprogrsmmyour subconscious mind since that's where habits are stored.
Me too I soo get it ! doesn’t matter if I am sad or happy it’s like a compulsion that is always there. been doing it my whole life and the shame I feel is worse than the scarring :) ur not alone x
*TIPS that have helped MY dermatillomania:* - cut fingernails short - put all the mirrors away, i even sometimes cover the wall mirror with a blanket - apply facial oil to my face everytime i have to stay at home so i don’t touch my face at all - print a calendar and mark every day that i don’t pick at my skin - take pictures of my face once a week so i can see the changes - find a good skincare routine and NEVER miss it, even if you pick at your skin that day seeing pictures of myself a few years ago when my face was COMPLETELY clear has also motivated me to stop picking at my skin, you can also print a few and have them somewhere visible so you see them everyday
The "cover the mirrors" helped me so much like i have this problem.. especially after i take off my makeup..i tell myself ..no.. don't...and i quickly go out of the bathroom without looking at the mirror
anettevanaga there have been SO MANY times that i have wanted to pick my skin but inmediately realised i could NOT do it because i didnt have a mirror to look myself at. it definitely helps😅
Sadly nothing about those tips can help me. I don’t need a mirror, I need hands and pimples. I hate looking me at the mirror after picking so hard my skin. Looking to these dark marks and damaged skin is frustrating. The only thing which can help me a lot is a good skincare routine.
There’s a homeopathic remedy for this! Find a homeopath and look up joette calabrese skin picking the article with the remedy comes up. It’s also a mineral imbalance issue! I’m a mineral analysis practitioner and the psychological issues with mineral imbalance are huge and easy to pinpoint. And oddly enough anxiety and depression meds deplete the minerals needed most to help you reverse this issue in the first place it’s really annoying so under the surface you’re actually making issues worse. If you any info find me victors of our future on .com or fb
My dermatillomania isn't sight triggered, it's touch triggered. I constantly run my fingers over my skin and if I find something that isn't smooth I pick at it relentlessly until I can run my fingers over the open wound and not feel any ridges. It's so damaging. My focus spots are on my head and behind my ears and it's gotten to the point where I can't wear my hair up anymore...
I nearly cried when I found this video, and started reading the comments. This is exactly how I feel. I want to stop so bad, it literally effect my life both physically and mentally. I have no idea what to do ...
Same here! I'm 35!!! And just realising this is an actual issue. My picking is the worst it's been since my teens. I want to go to a dermatologist, but I also fear they won't understand.
@@shannahammer I’m suffering too. Have been since I turned 13. When I started my period, I began getting hormonal acne and sudden onset of folliculitis. And it’s never gone away, I’m 30 now. No medicines have helped. I can’t stop
@@shannahammer please go to a dermatologist, they will understand, it's their job and they can help you. Also, what helped me was to make a calendar and mark each day that passed without picking my skin. Sometimes indeed i skiped some days, but in the end it helped. Also, i put some stickers on my bathroom mirror with "don't do this, you are beautiful" and things like these to keep me motivated. It is hard but keep trying🤗
No. When we deal the the psychological issues, it's the only way to win over them. Sure, you may do some additional things, but the most important is your decision. I had mania to pop pimples on my back in my childhood. Every squeezing was making it worse and worse, I still have lots of scars on my back and chest. Shoulders still worry me. The only that helped is showering more often and and just stopping pop them. Acne disappeared and the skin got flatter. It's a matter of will, nothing else. I still check my skin but do not let myself irritate or harm it as I remember that it will my acne more severe. Sure, she has it extreme, and it's even harder to just stop, but even in this case there's nothing else that she can do. Not everybody possesses enough will tho, it's understandable and can't be blamed for but it makes it even more difficult to solve. People are different.
I'm thinking in be an therapist of well-being People who take care of obsessive disorders. And I'm thinking of quitting the profession, because I do not see how to help someone who is "relieved" by such things. That makes me sad
@H L Omg serious? Jesus, I hope she rest in peace. what frightens me is the idea of not solving the problems only give solutions, in case my patient dies, the fault even if not totalitarian will be mine. That's is why frickin me out. But thanks I'll work on this!
I have this too, not to that extreme but it’s a terrible addiction because you can’t stop thinking about it until you do it and after that, when your skin is all red and bloody, you’re so ashamed that sometimes you end up crying. I used to do that when I had to stop self harm, it was like a compensation but you’re even more ashamed after that. She is a real inspiration for me and I hope we’ll talk about this disorder more often in the future.
This is what I’m saying to myself “oh there’s a bump, scratch it off. Remove those pimples over there on your nose, it will clean out your pores. No bumps mean clear skin” It’s not news that I know I’m absolutely wrong. My brain just keeps telling me to remove whatever blemish it sees on my face, thinking that it will make my completion better, when i know that it would make it way worse. Bleeding, scabs, leeking seem to be invisible to me.
Been doing this for 9 years now, i really hope that i am able to stop it one day, and since i'm still a kid i have hope that my scars will hopefully fade after some years pass by
I'm always trying to level it out. If it's scabs over, I want it smooth in order to level it. I know i should let it heal but it's hard. Just stop... I wish I could.
Lily & Ian I noticed that too, but I think she's using products to clear her skin up and make it heal faster so that she won't get any bad problems due to the damage of her skin.
I know, she got lucky. My skin is super textured and pock marked because of this. One of my biggest wishes is to just get rid of my pocks and have smoother skin.
It‘s ruining my life. I don‘t want to go outside. I avoid seeing friends and I have no one to talk about it... I‘ve considered seeing a doctor or a psychologist.. but I don‘t want to talk about it to my family.
You don't have to if you want. Go to the psychology, do it for yourself. I have depression and I decided to not talk about it with my family, I feel like they won't understand me the way I need to. So I went to the psychology by myself. I hope you feel better soon❤
I would recommend reaching out to online support groups or online therapists if possible, for now. There are so many online resources that list coping skills for things like this, which can constructively occupy you in the meantime considering your nervousness broaching the topic with your family. Work up to being open about it, bit by bit. Love and luck from a fellow ARMY. ❤
I literally never knew this was a real thing I thought I was the only person in the world that did this, I can't even describe the feeling of comfort I have inside me right now. I can't believe that this is a real thing I can't describe it but I feel like I need to this girl is my hero I'm crying right now
Girl. I understand this. I struggled with it for 10 years before telling anybody about it. I felt so ashamed and sad. The sad thing is that a lot of people don't know there are ways to seriously overcome this skin picking issue. I would love to have you on my channel and value your thoughts and experiences. I also had no idea that it was a real thing until I started wondering about it. Much love! Kate Evans
Ever since I had gotten bad acne i started picking at my face a lot ... My acne isn’t bad anymore, but I still pick at my pores a lot :// I also pick at my scalp often.. It’s not as severe as this girls, but it’s it’s definitely part of my body dysmorphia..
adriannnaable I didn’t really understand how much of a problem it was until I was sitting in front of a mirror and incessantly picking at my nose until it was red and irritated... it’s really frustrating
I pick my scalp too. I'm glad I'm not the only one, I've done it since I was 11 and I turn 18 this year. I don't know how to stop this habit, im usually left with painful craters in my head because I never know when enougb is enough 😣😣
It’s hard. I pick on my arms my family friends even people I don’t know say that my arms look terrible. There are like 1 billion scars on my arm. I don’t do my face often since my arms are filled with pimples. I’m really young btw (not saying age) so it’s really hard for me to stop. I’ve been doing this since I was 9. I can’t stop. It’s insanely hard. I pick for hours every day and because it’s in my arm I can access it so easily. I’ve tried to stop it’s never worked so I try and distract myself by playing a game on my phone or calling/FaceTiming my friend. It’s so hard, Ik that I can stop it but I don’t know how. Does anyone have any tips?
I know. I have been looking in my area for others like me, but I live in a small town. I have reached out through counselors offering posters for BFRB support group in my town but nothing. I know there are online support but it would be nice to meet other people too.
@@carson1701 it often is considered a compulsive behavior as stated in the video, but people certainly have a plethora of reasons for skin picking including anxiety. My therapist tells me that my dermatillomania in particular is triggered by seeking sensory stimulation - the texture, feel of it, etc.
I deal with this to, the worst is that bearly no one understand that not my choise and stop poping is so hard, and you can't run away from yourself to avoid the your own skin.
when she talked about the guilt of looking at what you did to yourself, and how she said she sits on her countertop to get a closer look at the bumps and stuff like that made me cry because I realized how much I related to that
I do this alll the time, everywhere. My arms, mostly on my face, back, chest, I just can't stop. When I even see something small I feel the need to get it off but then later a scar appears and it ends up looking worse than it did at the start.
me too, i'm pretty careful about not doing it on my face though. I looked at my self naked the other day and it's like my shoulders, arms and hips are covered in polka dots from scars. kind of startled me. I don't know if mine is this condition or just an anxiety disorder. i think it's just anxiety
I can't stop picking at my face it's like as if a pimple is on my face witch if there is I'll pick and pick and pick at it. I will literally just want to stop my addiction but I have failed every time I do try to stop if you look on my Facebook page you will see what I'm talking about.
I have OCD, I can relate. My mother keeps telling me to “tell myself not to.” Well I would if I could, it’s not that easy. It’s not a condition you can control or snap out of. I hope one day she understands...
Oh hey, I can relate to this! My focused bodyparts are mostly my face and neck, and I will spend so much time in front of mirrors, looking for the tiniest imperfection to pick on, even if it's totally unnecessary and you KNOW it is, you are aware that it's damaging your skin and that you have scars and dents all over your face, but you just can't fight the urge to pick... And you often can't keep track of how much time you actually spent in the bathroom anymore. I think I might try out her phone-alarm method to attempt to limit my own picking! I love how calm and collected she seemed when she was explaining Dermatillomania and how it affects her. I hope that she'll be able to minimize the picking someday. She is so beautiful and strong!
I started going to the medispa to get glycolic or salicylic peels. After I got used to the people, my anxiety reduced and It became fun. I look(ed) forward to going. Concurrently, my skin improved-- better than any dermatologist, EVER!! And, cheaper. Now, I hardly ever pick. It really helped my self-esteem by going to this type of skin professional. I never thought it would help so much in so many different ways. It changed a really sad, shameful part of my life to something happy. I actually get compliments on my skin now. I hope this helps someone, even if just one person.
I can't stop once I start, so I don't even think a timer would help me. But my boyfriend and other family members complain about how much time I spend in the bathroom!
Thank you for being brave enough to talk about this. I've struggled with this my entire life. I don't feel confident enough to wear tanktops, or bathing suits. I hate my scars. I know for me, I pick because it releaves stress.. there is something satisfying about the pain it caused, like a small measure of control that I could have over my life.
Life With Us it was only in my late teens that I finally began to let up on myself. My legs and arms and bum were covered in pinkish scars by that time, and I somehow managed to build up enough self control to restrain myself from continuing. I told myself the only way to make the pink scars fade into pale less visible scars was to stop touching my skin and to let time heal me. Now my derm scars are pale white flecks and people still come up to me asking me what they are. In times of high anxiety in my life I'll still find myself scratching and finding the satisfaction in picking and peeling away my skin, but the desire is drastically less.
I almost cried when I saw this recommended to me. I've struggled with dermatillomania since I was in elementary school. I was bullied for having spots all over from picking. It's worst when doctors don't take it seriously because they're not aware of the disorder. When you talk to your friends about it, they just say "I pop my pimples too sometimes, I know how you feel", but they never truly understand it's more than that. Sometimes friends and family have to physically stop me from picking, but what they don't understand is it only creates more anxiety. For me picking releaves it. It hurts physically and your clothes get ruined from the blood, but the stress and anxiety are greater than the physical pain. I want to stop, but I also don't know if I truly do.
KMIMI I was feeling just like and let me say that I'm pretty freaking sure you want to stop. The main problem is (also was for me) that it is the "easiest" way for us to release the stress, it's what we know best. Finding new ways to get rid of anxiety is hard and it takes a lot of time, so out of fear of not being able to find anything else, you get that feeling that you don't really want to stop. Because not doing it seems scary. There are other ways though. I've been in therapy for a year now and it has gotten getter. I still have a loooong way to go but when I have a good day I can see that the reluctance to stop is just my fear speaking. Not picking is *awesome* I feel better, I feel happier. Yet when I'm stresses or nervous I often go back to picking, just because I know "it's always there to help me"/ to relieve stress. But it's not helping in the long run, it's just a temporary relieve.
This is the first time I’ve related to exactly everything written in a comment! You summed it up so perfectly. While I’m picking, it’s almost like I go into a meditative state or something, and I forget about whatever is stressing me. I don’t even really feel the pain. It’s after I “wake up” from the picking that I realize what I’ve done to myself AGAIN. The wave of shame and self-disgust trumps the physical pain any day. I even pick in my sleep! One of my areas of focus is my back. The problem with this, is that not only do I ruin clothes by getting them bloody, but when I pick really bad, it even hurts to shower!! Not to mention doing anything to make me sweat is like torture.
KMIMI me too my dear. But time has proven kind to my disorder and it is far less controlling as it was in my childhood/teens. Although when I have severe boughts of depression/anxiety, it rears it's ugly head again full force and I feel like I've failed myself and all the hard work of finally overcoming my derm has been for nothing.
This makes me want to cry too. Coming down to the comment section and reading all of these stories, especially yours. Yours hits especially hard for some reason.... I'm so sorry you have to go through this, because it is the worst most embarrassing thing in the whole world but I'm just thankful we aren't the only ones....
I almost want to cry. I had no idea that other people did this too. I've been a "picker" all my life and thought that I was the only one. It's something I've never talked to anyone about. Thank you for being brave and sharing with us! I wish this had been a longer video 💜
Mary Kelly Honey I am too! We are always here for you! You Are Worth It and always remember to love yourself! I’m trying to completely stop this summer!
Nonono you’ve misunderstood me; I myself struggle with compulsive skin picking and i’m saying, in response to people who tell us to “just stop”, that it’s not like that and if I could I would/I don’t ‘choose’ to pick at and ruin my skin
Monica Monica Dermatillomania IS a disorder. Another common name for it is actually excoriation disorder. It’s linked to the anxiety disorder OCD. Edit: Just have to say, by the way, as another person who suffers from dermatillomania, I don’t WANT to pick. I look in the mirror and see something I don’t like, or I feel my skin, and I cave. I need to do it or else I won’t stop thinking about it. If I could just stop doing this, I would.
Monica Monica Technically, yes, we can control it, but it’s a compulsion that we feel, and it is often too difficult to control. We feel that we must give in to these compulsions or else “something bad may happen”. That’s kind of what OCD is.
I’m not as close to her point but I do have a issue if I look in the mirror and I’m alone I’ll start popping and messing with my acne or any bump or scab on my face and won’t stop for like an hour until I’m all swollen and red and bleeding and every time I’m upset and hate myself for doing it but yet I can’t stop and I’ll spend half my day hiding my face until it calms down enough to show my self
Honestly derma can seem like it's just a "weird habit" and growing up with it it feels like a personal failure. But it's a disorder. It relieves specific anxieties in the moment, but giving into it primes you for the same thing next time, picking can make wounds instead of harmless bumps, you can get infections and scars and cause yourself a lot of pain and upset. I used to get scolded and threatened by my mother for doing it; a couple times she stood me in the kitchen and yelled and told me how "awful" I looked- please don't ever do that to your kid because it's only going to make them feel worse about how they look and increase the anxiety that prompts the compulsive behaviour in the first place.
bzzy bee you just described my life story. I’ve been diagnosed and my parental mom thinks I’m “faking it” and that I can “just stop” yet refuses to take me to therapy for it despite the fact that I have other meds and have been told by my psychiatrist that I should be. All I hear is yelling about my face constantly. I want to just leave the house all the time because I hate it.
I've got a phobia of vomiting and every time I feel nauseous and scared I start picking at my face and I completely forget about my nausea and fear, but afterwards I just stare into the mirror and wonder what I've done... it's a vicious cycle
I have red scabs on my face, all over my arms, on my shoulders, and I even have scars. Some people think that all you have to do is "just stop", but that's not the case. It's hard, dealing with the insecurity. Every time I look in the mirror, or at myself, I'm reminded of the own irreversible damage that I've done to myself. Some people have asked what was wrong with my skin, and it's painful to explain. Sometimes I worry that I might get an infection, and sometimes, after realizing what I've done to myself, I just sit alone and cry. My family knows about my "habit", but we never considered it to be an actual problem/disorder. Somehow my scars aren't indents like what you'd expect. They're more like freckles, but lighter in color than my natural skin. I think it depends on how you pick and how deep you pick. My picking is more shallow, but I pick everywhere in the certain area.
A year late, just dropped by to say how much I agree with you. This video honestly made me want to cry with relief that people are spreading awareness of this disorder. I've been to a doctor and was told it was just a bad habit. "We don't need to give it a name", they said when told them I thought it was dermatillomania. I haven't been to another yet because of coronavirus. When I first started picking, people in my class would ask me what happened to my face, and I'd have to give them excuses that I feel so embarrassed about all these years later because they clearly weren't true. My family wouldn't understand. Why is it that depression and anxiety are easier to comprehend than picking at your skin? No one these days says to someone with depression, "oh cheer up". It feels like with dermatillomania we're very much behind other disorders in terms of acceptance and treatment.
@@ej8318 I can feel your pain. It's extremely difficult when people say things like "just stop" or "just quit doing it" or something like that, as if it was 100% under our control whether or not we followed through with picking. In my case, I have had this habit for many years, stretching back into childhood. Back when I was a kid, I mainly picked at my scalp, and one time a teacher(in early elementary school years) had pulled me aside to check for bugs but I had to describe to her that I was just picking at myself instead of itching, and it was pretty embarrassing because other students were watching and she was silent as she checked my scalp. As I got older I switched from that to my arms and face, and since then I have had some classmates ask what was wrong with my skin/what happened to it. Over the years I've gotten pretty used to the pain with it, and have kind of given up a little. I don't really cry over my picking habit anymore, because i have some other emotional/mental and physical health problems that preoccupy my mind now. Things are just tough I guess.
E J I’m just sitting here crying my eyes out bebaust I just realized I’m not alone, there are people who understand me people who feel the same, I just came out if the bathroom after a session of picking and came across this video and just startet crying immediately, nobody has ever understood me and my parents just say, what are you doing, your arms are red, and I can’t explain it and I hate it, I hate it when my friends ask what I’m doing and I just sit there and don’t know what to say and just end up saying it’s nothing. It just feels so good to know you’re not alone, thank you!
@@meiranissen4296 There are many people out there who understand what we go through, and you can see that just by looking through this comment section. Unfortunately it feels to me a lot like they only exist on the internet! I wish you the best of luck. Know that someone out there is thinking of you! :)
I’ve had this since I was 14 and I am 28 now. It’s exhausting honestly. It’s not just picking at something every once in a while. It’s a fight between yourself not to do it knowing what it causes and doing it anyway and the cycle starts over again. I’ve never been to the doctor because of being scared they would react the way she says they did to her. I do it in waves like sometimes my face will look terrible and for a while that’ll be over and it’ll be clear and over and over again. I don’t wish it on anyone
as someone with dermatillomania, it makes me really happy to see someone talking so openly about it and given a platform to share their experience. i was never bullied for my skin but i can only imagine what being called "craterface" does to your self esteem on top of internal judgment and anxiety. sending my love to everyone else out there struggling
I actually thought that I was the only one with this obsession... Now I finally have the name for it. I've picked my skin for soooo long and my mom always says to just "stop picking" but I guess she doesn't know how hard it actually is. Also the fact that I don't (and can't bc of my mental fear) take anxiety pills, going out of the house is SO HARD. Like in the summer, when you see so many people with tank tops and you're there just being so jealous of them cuz you basically NEED to wear long-sleeved shirts, even when it's extremely hot. I'm actually really grateful that I live in Finland, since here it's pretty cold most of the time, so wearing covering clothes isn't weird. One of my daily fears is when people DO notice the marks it left and ask what it is. I've heard ppl usually say bug bites, but since in Finland there isn't that kind of animals, except mosquitos, that leave the marks, so it depends on the time of the year can I use the excuse. So when it isn't summer, the situation is like a nightmare to me. Also one of the struggles is when we need to go swimming in school. I've used so many excuses over the past years to get away from the swimming, and 'til this day, I haven't swum since 5th grade, and with the family, in 4 years!!! I just wish one day I'll just stop picking and hopefully accept and love the scars it left behind. I know they will haunt me forever, but the only thing I can do is accept. Hopefully, people will one day accept these, without judging, so the people suffering from this, don't need to have so much stress, anxiety, and fears when letting ppl see the marks. So to all people having this disorder, i'm praying for you to get better and finally live your life the fullest!!!
I use to do this as well. A good technique is to use a timer like the girl in the video or have something else to do with your hands when you feel anxious and have a urge to pick (I use to sketch geometric patterns or cut all the wax off of pillar candles and mix all the different colors/scents together, which was oddly satisfying). Just letting you know what worked for me... I never took medication for it either because I had no health insurance at the time. Wishing you luck with overcoming this...
Calin Gibbons Thank you:) I actually just a couple of days ago bought a fidget cube and it really helped me not to pick that much! Sadly, the timer thing didn't work, since my hands just finds their way somehow to pick... It's too bad that fidget cubes are banned in my school during classes so my hand automatically goes inside my sleeve and picks.. So school is the real challenge for me now:( But again, thank you so much!!!!!
xX_jamlessmin_Xx i now that felling cus i do that a lot, but i dont do that in school because i think ppl will judge me and the main problem is when im bored and i start to mostly pick my arms and sometimes face. My scars are literally invisible but im scared that i wont be able to stop doing that and it will left me with much bigger scars. I dont think that fidger cube will work for me and if you have some ideas or advice pls help me out.
xX_jamlessmin_Xx I have the same problem, so let me just say something: You don't have to love them. Sure, you see people say "I love my scars" and that's fine and well for them but don't think you have to do the same. As you say, acceptance is the key. I accept my scars but I know I will never ever feel any kind of love towards them; and I've beaten myself up for so long because I thought I *had* to like them. Do what feels right for *you*, that may be love but not loving them is totally fine as well. What might help you in school is a kneadable eraser! It really helped me keep my fingers busy and school doesn't forbid those :)
I like to let my lips dry so I can rip the skin off. I sometimes can't stop for quite a while, maybe 2 hours straight, and then my fingers get bloody and there's a bunch of skin on my shirt. My lips get swollen and red and it looks like I have an std or something, and I can go like this for months, and then months where I don't touch them. Also, when people start to scold me too much I start to rip the skin on my left elbow. This has been going on since I can remember. So weird. Feels good to write this down.
If there is ever dead skin on my lips I have to pick it. I've bled numerous times. It gets way worse when my anxiety is up, but also in the winter when the air is dry. If I'm ever self-conscious about it I wear lipstick to hide it. I've tried so many lip balms but I never have them on hand consistently enough to stop the picking. I also tried a lip scrub and a lip exfoliator but they do not cut through the scar tissue.
Sometimes it helps me if i put on a tick layer of hand cream on my lips. I have a feeling like I can't touch them cause there's something on them. And it also nourishes them. I repeat this when the cream dries up. Doesn't always work but it helps me
You are a beautiful person, inside and out. Those who say to simply stop picking are insensitive and fail to understand that it isn't that easy. It is incredibly brave of you to spread awareness of dermatillomania and let others know that they are not alone.
FINALLY!!! I’ve waited so long for a documentary on this subject. I have been struggling with it for so long. I have scars ALL over my body, which makes it hard for me to show even the slightest bit of skin. I honestly don’t know how to make it any better.
I feel like I have a mild case of this. I’m super obsessive about picking at any type small bump, blackhead, or resemblance of a pimple. Everyone assumes it’s a habit but it’s so hard to stop and no ones knows
As someone with dermatillomania, I honestly feel this vid. I pick at my hands, arms, face, and legs. I have eczema, too, meaning I scratch, then I pick at the sores I leave. It's perpetual, and it makes me so self conscious... I wear hoodies year long, and I live in Texas as well (Surfside Beach, an hour from Houston ayyyy), meaning I constantly am hot, but at least it's better than showing my skin. My mother has the disorder too (she picks at her shoulders, face, and legs) and we fight our battle together.
Gosh. I thought I was the only one suffering from this disorder. It's already been 9 years of my life lost to this condition, I don't go outside oftenly and when I do go out I have to wear long-sleeved clothes to hide my scars. But I can't hide my face which is a problem for me - I feel like everyone is looking at my skin in disgust. Nobody thinks it's a problem, "just stop" is the only thing I've been told. "Just stop or you won't find a boyfriend while it's already time for you to have children", "Just stop or you won't be able to sunbathe as your skin is too ugly to be shown", "just stop or people will think you are contagious and will do everything to avoid you", "just stop 'cause you are a girl and you HAVE TO be beautiful no matter what". Thank you, dear relatives. When I say I need help and I need to consult a psychiatrist they look at me as if I were insane. They think I have no problem and I "just don't want to stop". I think that if I come to the doctor they would mock me as in my country the mental illness awareness is hecking low, like, when you say you don't want to live anymore and you constantly pick your skin and cry and eat unstoppably and don't go out with friends (and you don't have friends already) spending all your time in bed staring at the wall all you hear is "don't be sad\lazy\stop overthinking\you are way to young to have such issues\etc. And watching this video made me cry 'cause I saw myself. And all I've been thinking about was "oh god, it would be a bless to meet this girl and make friends, she would probably understand me". But it's not going to happen. I'm bound to die in this forsaken country with no money anf strength to leave it and change my life. But still I'm glad I watched this video. Makes me feel I'm not alone.
Just wanted to say I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have it to, but to a lesser extent than the girl in the video. All I can say is I’m glad the video could bring you comfort, and I hope you’re at least a little bit better than you were 4 years ago. Lots of love 💗
I can really relate to this girl. I felt ugly all through high school as I had severe acne. I would look in the mirror and just violently scratch and scratch at it because I was so mad and I just wanted it to go away. It is so frustrating when people go “well just don’t pick at it” like it’s easy. She is a lovely and beautiful girl❤️
Not as much now. Sometimes I’ll do it out of frustration but it is getting better. I still have a lot of scars which are just a reminder of it unfortunately. The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion really helps me now and I just use scar treatments. I hope you’re skin will get better 💞
Amazing video depicting what living with derma is like. I’ve had this condition my entire life and it has impacted me in school, home, socializing, and my ability to work. We need more coverage on dermatillomania and all BFRBs
I still manage to pick with short nails. It’s incredibly painful and takes forever. Taking away my means does not satisfy the compulsion. It only makes things worse.
God it’s so reassuring to see this being showed in media and awareness being brought to it. I suffered from dermatillomnia (as well as separate OCD) for so many years and it ruined my life. When I picked, I would not go to school, see friends, or sometimes even leave my room. I looked like a meth addict, I was covered in scabs and redness. I was disgusted with myself and considered killing myself so many times. I had tried some medications but I was disheartened when they didn’t work. But last summer I finally got on a new medication- Lexapro- and it changed my life. I haven’t picked compulsively for months. I’m in college and it’s so amazing to be able to leave my room, go to class, and feel confident with myself and my skin. If you are on a medication and it’s not helping don’t give up, try a different one. I can’t guarantee it will work immediately but it’s worth a shot because life with dermatillomania is really no life at all. You don’t have to live with it.
I feel for her. I feel compelled to share my story here. I did this squeezing and picking from age 11 when I started getting pimples and blackheads to 21. I would stand in front of the mirror and do it most days for about 3-7 hours. Once I put my hands on my skin I couldn't stop. I would literally dig in my skin for the blackhead or pus to come out if it didn't want to come out. I even started doing it involuntarily in my sleep it was so ingrained! I was full of scars and marks. I also made deep sores elsewhere on my body and picked off the scabs. I also picked my scalp badly for about 7 years and a lot of hair fell out. I'm surprised I still look human to be honest. It was definitely an anxiety ocd thing for me and not knowing how to deal with it. I'm here to say for those dealing with this disorder that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 36 now and have not voluntarily picked or squeezed since 21. I finally got myself out of this negative habit because of fear of totally ruining my face for life and losing all my thick lovely hair. I got sick of the whole process of hurting myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I started healing from this. Over the years I took better care of my skin and used scar and dark mark healing oils and creams like Vitamin E etc. My skin looks pretty good now and the scars have faded greatly. My hair also thickened back up. Distract yourself and channel your focus into positive hobbies, interests, dreams and goals. You are in control of this unhealthy coping mechanism and not the other way round! Mostly, learn to accept and love yourself for who you are and be comfortable in your own skin literally. :-)
I have a name for it now! (no, I'm not trying to "self diagnose") Thank you! You're so brave for posting this... I honestly had no idea this many people struggled with this along with me... I do it constantly.. I have scabs and scars on my face, neck, arms, shoulders.. (especially my face and neck). I can't stop.. It's so hard. If I feel the bump, I just blindly pick pick pick. I also tend to pick at my head when I'm not picking my face or anywhere else. I get so embarrassed when bring caught doing it and not realizing that I am...and I'm told "just stop doing it"..if I could, I would! My serious anxiety doesn't help the matter and now becomes a "tick" that I do, almost. You're so brave for speaking about it and you're absolutely gorgeous!! ♥
I was really doubting that I had this disorder, but now I see that I do the exact same things as she does. I have a doctor's appointment for tomorrow and I'm determined to tell them about this disorder so that I can get help.
It's difficult to live with Ocd. I was diagnosed at age 16 and since that day my life is not the same. There are a variety of Ocds ... Some people think is just about cleaning and organizing but it's not.I hope she's strong enough to handle this because it's exhausting and you have to fight against it every second of your life. My blessings to her because no matter what She's such beautiful young woman.
kika Cabrera I also have OCD and it's not just about cleaning and being neat. OCD is so much harder and and I realize its all in our heads. I was never diagnosed by a doctor but I know I have it and my mom caught the signs as soon as I was very little when I didn't even know what OCD was. I also have a compulsive habit of skin picking and other rituals. It's actually a weird story on how I found out I had OCD when I knew what it was.
I have high funcaning autism and ocd i cant sleep unless all the dores in the whole house are shut and i like things a certain way or ill have an anxiety attack
I feel sick to my stomach, I used to have legit perfect skin, then the picking started. I’m now left with sensitive scarred skin. I had a friend tell me “When we first met, I was so jealous of your skin!”, because there is a stark difference between now and then… I’ll do well for a while, not pick anything, then all of a sudden, BOOM, picked and dug at my face so badly that I look like I have some sort of infectious disease. I can’t figure out how to stop the cycle.
I have that too. I can't control it, it just feels so satisfying when I pick them however the outcome isn't great. I always regret it but I end up doing it anyways. It's really hard to control myself :(
I also have dermatillomania. And it ruins my life. I just want to have good skin. In the 5 years I've had this I've only had a week where I could stop myself from doing it. But then it just came back. I'm really trying. I hope someday I can "just stop picking" like all the doctors say.
omg i thought i was the only one that did this...i didnt know there was a name for it i just thought it was because of my anxiety. Ive always been doing it since i was a kid. i get asked all the time if im on drugs which im definitely not. ive had my best friend tell me that i do it and dont realize im doing it. i have scars all over my body because of it.
I've spent time in hospital and rehab due to depression. I've been on medication for 2.5 years. You start to learn that you are never alone. I know what I have is very different but I wholeheartedly recommend talking to your doctor about any form of mental disorder. I was scared to at first, but maybe if I'd gotten help sooner I wouldn't have spent half a year in care.
Ashley Wise maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
I feel you Emma. I have dermatillomania too. I'm 43 and I still pick at myself, and search out things to pick. I even find myself doing it as I'm sleeping. It's awful. Good luck to you hun!!
I have dermatillomania and dermatophagia. And also my name is Emma. So great to see someone to relate to. I hope you get better soon and continue to get better and grow 💗
I have a bad habit of biting at and peeling off the first layer of my thumb and index finger prints often especially after i have cut my finger nails, also the skin on my lips... Anyone else?
LilXan Gallagher I do this on all my fingernails and at the corners of all my fingers but my thumbs are the worst :/ I've always kept everything inside, every small problem and every significant one. I think not having an outlet for stress really contributes to it.
I clip my nails to numbs and I also pick the loose skin off below the nails and on the sides of the nails too.This has become such a habit for me.Maybe one day I will stop and decide to let my nails grow out long and pretty Instead of having numbs for nails.
I have GAD(General Anxiety Disorder) and when I get stressed I bite the skin around my nail off on all fingers, more on the thumb. I didn't know but some people pointed out that I would even sometimes eat the skin. It came to the point where theres a 'ditch' around my finger nails(not around the cuticle/ where the nail starts) and I know how much I can bite off before I draw blood.
Thank you. I’ve suffered from this for years, I used to tell people I was allergic to chlorine so I wouldn’t have to go to the pool because my chest was just raw and bloody from picking...to hear that and see you get better gives me hope.
I can so relate. ❤️ I just posted a video opening up about my skin picking disorder. It so hard to break the mindset that makes you want to pick. It sucks and it’s so hard because there’s a part of you that feels the incessant need to pick, and there’s a part of you that knows it’s wrong, and it’s a day to day battle between doing what you feel like you need to do and KNOWING that you need to stop. I’m here if anyone ever wants to talk about it. 💕
I also have this condition but I guess it's somewhat less severe. I started applying raw honey on face because it's really really good for the skin and my picking has stopped quite a bit. Honey is sticky and a thick fluid so you can't touch your face like you usually do, so I think you could try it. I strongly believe that we can overcome this craziness. So all you guys out there, please find the cue to this habit and promise yourself to be kinder to yourself. We got this!
i have the same problem and i cant stop, every time i get a cut or a bump in the skin i pick and rip it apart.. i dont know why i do it but i hope to stop because it leaves countless scars on my body. and i hate going out in public knowing ive scarred my skin to crap, im glad im not the only one who does it
RedDead102 maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
yeah man, every time i get a cut i pick the scab until it scars over.. i know how ya feel haha, and it sucks because half the time i don't even notice i'm doing it
XxPushoverxX maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
I have that too and I have scars and scabs and open wounds all over my body. I told my parents and they says its just acne. And my friend says I'm just saying it for attention. Everybody looks at me like I'm a monster. I don't have a doctor either so I can't get medication or therapy right now. And everyone tells me to stop picking. And it never works.
My sister picks her skin on her forehead, and yk she sent this to me, and now I feel really bad cause the other day I yelled at her for picking her skin and I legit told her to stop picking it otherwise it’ll get worse. (I really cared about her, because she could get scars and it could be very painful. I didn’t want her to experience that.) and now I realised that I shouldn’t had yelled at her, because it won’t make it any better, and Anna if you see this I’m extremely sorry. As a big sister I should’ve known better.
Ah I have this problem too. I have random spots on my legs and face that never heal because I keep picking and picking and picking. Sometimes I even pick at nothing until I break skin. I hate it and I feel this so much
I’m so happy I’m found someone else’s who understands me. Because I’m constantly picking my skin and my family points it out and I hate it. But I can’t control it and I wear long sleeves. So thank you for showing your story and makes me realize people who suffer from this aren’t alone. The thing is I just came from the bathroom from picking my skin and searched up how to stop picking my acne. Because I’m so insecure about it.
I have this also . But i think shameful is wrong ( though i still struggle with it ) . A mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of , it is what it is . It s good to aknowledge it & do something about it but to shame ourselves , this is wrong . I am not proud of what i did either but i do intend to release any shame & what i m proud of is my progress in healing & proud of having stopped to hide my mental issues & pretend that i m fine all the time when i was around other pple . if someone will ask bout my scars i ll tell the truth , if they are someone close or good intentioned if bullying strangers i ll stand up for myself tell them mind their own bodies .
aww girl :( i am the same. i dont ever like wearing tank tops because i have so much acne scars from picking at my zits and scabs. I really thought i was the only one. *hugs*
me too, i make myself bleed and its sore ill put a plaster on then ill pick and fiddle with that. I pick at my face all the time and things will take weeks to heal and people will say oh your face is bleeding. The shame
I have struggled with this for about a year and a half and I am starting to see scarring. Seeing her scars really stunned me into realizing that what the path I am on is going to scar me for the rest of my life. I knew it was a bad thing but this really puts it into perspective. I am going to try to go a week without picking, to start off. I usually cant go more than 2 days. Wish me luck!
I'm a darker complexion as you see in my photo....and when I get acne even when I don't bother it I still get hyperpigmentation...when the skin darkens around those spots and become noticeable...its more noticeable on people my skin tone then a Caucasian person... I was seeing a dermatologist but can't afford to atm. I have picked at zits and feel so guilty because my face is not like it used to be... My face healed better when I was younger but now its not the same.... I realize that in order to help lighten and correct the damage I will eventually have to pay 1000s of dollars per month for cosmetic laser treatments... I had a consultation at one point but have to wait til I can afford it. I have skin bleach from the dermatologist but you can mess up your skin if you do it too long or put it in the wrong spot... Like my lip for example... Zits on the lip line are horrifyingly embarrassing... So I picked at it. Left a kind of dark round scar and I tried to use the skin bleach and of course it messed up the pigment on my lip.... It sucks that we think certain things will help but feel down we know some decisions can make it worse resulting in a last resort of spending tons of money to correct these problems. I will eventually do it. Because I CANT STAND it. I want my perfect face back. My confidence really relies on my facial appearance. Idc about marks on other parts of my body... My face is an absolute no-no.
I've had this condition ever since I started going through puberty and I noticed my first pimple. Now I'm out of college and my picking is at the worst it's ever been. For those who are suffering with the condition, I thought I would mention that there are amazing support communities for dermatillomania online - on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, whichever social media platform you use - and this has helped relieve my anxiety trememdously. It helps to know that you're not alone, and talk to others who are facing the same issues as you.
When she said 'body focused repetitive behaviour' it just clicked in my mind...I have had OCD for 13 years and I never considered it a part of it, but it so obviously is. I never talk about this to anyone (apart from my doctor's) and I've barely Googled it as I'm so ashamed.
You sound just like me, I'm struggling to come to terms with what I've done to myself, for a long time I completely normalised it, my obsession started when I had acne as a teenager, I'd pick and scrub my face raw, this continued even when my acne cleared up, I've never been in a proper relationship as Ive never wanted anyone to get close enough to find out this bizzare secret I was hiding, im 38 now and feel my life is destroyed
I have a severe case of dermatites (atopic and contact) and hardcore skin picking for me is just part of having a life long hardly treatable skin disease. My advice, for those who have tried everything and failed: Try choosing a place in your body to pick. Of course, resist picking as much as you can, but when all else fails, pick only that one specific place. Choose wisely, a place that doesnt show, that will heal nicely, etc. And pick at it. I won't say it will cure you, but it will focus your damage on a single area, reducing stress and anxiety that comes with being taken over by scabs and scars, and also helping control future infections that may occur. I hope yall feel any better, stay strong and please seek professional help ❤
i wish this worked for me, but if i so much as pick at one single thing i suddenly open my eyes to all the other places to pick and before i know it i'm in the flow of it and have to 'fix' every single spot. kinda like how you can go weeks without cleaning, but as soon as you clean one thing you feel the urge to make the place spotless. except this is definitely counter productive lol
It’s so great that this disorder is getting the recognition it needs. So many people pass it off as self harm or think the cure to “stop picking” is as easy as it is to start.
I once suffered from dermatillomania in my early to mid 20s. I completely understand the pain and embarrassment you feel. I somehow no longer do it. Mine was related to uppers and caffine made it 10xs worse. I still love popping and picking videos but i no longer do it to myself. I hope she can overcome this.
it's nice to see this condition publicized a little. i have fairly minor dermatillomajia - localized rn mostly on my breasts and lightly on my thighs and face, but as a young teen i was brutal to my arms. they bear scars a lot like hers.
I have been picking my skin for as long as I can remember, I think I've been doing it for more than 10 years now. I decided to try again to stop and now I'm almost 4 days clean and I can see the skin growing, but I it's not smooth and it's difficult not to pick it. But I've had enough. I hope I can do this. I wish all of you the best and be proud of your achievements, even the little ones
I also pick my skin specially from my face and nipples, I have an indented scar on my forehead due to it despite I don't suffer from acne, and I'm also addicted to removing my nipples hairs and I have many wounds and then I regret doing that immediately ... It's an illness...
I have been diagnosed with OCD as I pick at my scalp. I have long hair thats healthy and it covers it up very well but I have tons of scabs all over. This has been going on for years. And I understand her, as it is definitely not as easy as " stop picking". Due to the scabs that keep being reopened showering hurts, running my fingers through my hair hurts, and honestly I look like I have lice as I am picking subconsciously. Somedays I rather sit on the couch and pick at them while watching tv rather then going out with people. Its a painful journey and something I am attempting to work on through working on my anxiety.
I am with you. I'm 27 and have had this since I was 5/6 years old. Thank goodness I have thick hair. Nothing has helped me thus far. Good luck with your next step.
I have been embarrassed by my body for YEARS. it effected relationships and being intimate. I thought i looked like a monster and having a name for what’s going on has made me feel like a new person. Once i was diagnosed my whole world started to make sense. This video was the reason i went and got diagnosed. Amazing
i went to a dermatologist and he said just stop picking at the pimples and i try really hard but then i start to pick and i go into almost some sort of trance until i’ve “fixed” the problem on my face.
Girl you are precious.
i cut my finger nails really short and thats actually what stopped my picking
Yeah because it's subconscious....it's impossible to consciously stop picking, you need to reprogrsmmyour subconscious mind since that's where habits are stored.
Me too I soo get it ! doesn’t matter if I am sad or happy it’s like a compulsion that is always there. been doing it my whole life and the shame I feel is worse than the scarring :) ur not alone x
Pastel Julia :*:・゚ uh that just makes me try harder
*TIPS that have helped MY dermatillomania:*
- cut fingernails short
- put all the mirrors away, i even sometimes cover the wall mirror with a blanket
- apply facial oil to my face everytime i have to stay at home so i don’t touch my face at all
- print a calendar and mark every day that i don’t pick at my skin
- take pictures of my face once a week so i can see the changes
- find a good skincare routine and NEVER miss it, even if you pick at your skin that day
seeing pictures of myself a few years ago when my face was COMPLETELY clear has also motivated me to stop picking at my skin, you can also print a few and have them somewhere visible so you see them everyday
The "cover the mirrors" helped me so much like i have this problem.. especially after i take off my makeup..i tell myself ..no.. don't...and i quickly go out of the bathroom without looking at the mirror
anettevanaga there have been SO MANY times that i have wanted to pick my skin but inmediately realised i could NOT do it because i didnt have a mirror to look myself at. it definitely helps😅
Im definitely going to try these. Thank you ❤
D i thought the same until September. I felt way better
Sadly nothing about those tips can help me. I don’t need a mirror, I need hands and pimples. I hate looking me at the mirror after picking so hard my skin. Looking to these dark marks and damaged skin is frustrating. The only thing which can help me a lot is a good skincare routine.
I didn't realize there were many others like myself struggling with this...
Oh my , I'm the same I thought I was the only one in the world , I'm 45 and it's embarrassing
Same I am 22 this have being with me since 4
Same here
Me too
There’s a homeopathic remedy for this! Find a homeopath and look up joette calabrese skin picking the article with the remedy comes up. It’s also a mineral imbalance issue! I’m a mineral analysis practitioner and the psychological issues with mineral imbalance are huge and easy to pinpoint. And oddly enough anxiety and depression meds deplete the minerals needed most to help you reverse this issue in the first place it’s really annoying so under the surface you’re actually making issues worse. If you any info find me victors of our future on .com or fb
I can remember being told to stop picking more than being told I love you
Wow, those words really struck me. But then my whole childhood was thousands of times more "don't do...." than I love yous
i feel you
duh
Same, and 'you're going to make your face ugly!'. Crappy
Ugh yes... me too... would constantly hear "stop picking" 🙄 still do..
My dermatillomania isn't sight triggered, it's touch triggered. I constantly run my fingers over my skin and if I find something that isn't smooth I pick at it relentlessly until I can run my fingers over the open wound and not feel any ridges. It's so damaging. My focus spots are on my head and behind my ears and it's gotten to the point where I can't wear my hair up anymore...
Alokananda Bhowmik my dermatillomania is sight and touch triggered- I run my hands over my arms and legs and I look for spots on my face
Izzy Rennick same
Me too, I always find myself feeling my skin and picking without even realising I’m doing it
That’s exactly what I do
I'm doing the exact same thing, does this mean that I have dermatillomania? :/
I nearly cried when I found this video, and started reading the comments. This is exactly how I feel. I want to stop so bad, it literally effect my life both physically and mentally. I have no idea what to do ...
Same here! I'm 35!!! And just realising this is an actual issue. My picking is the worst it's been since my teens. I want to go to a dermatologist, but I also fear they won't understand.
I'm 18 recently and having the same issue.
@@shannahammer I’m suffering too. Have been since I turned 13. When I started my period, I began getting hormonal acne and sudden onset of folliculitis. And it’s never gone away, I’m 30 now. No medicines have helped. I can’t stop
@@shannahammer please go to a dermatologist, they will understand, it's their job and they can help you. Also, what helped me was to make a calendar and mark each day that passed without picking my skin. Sometimes indeed i skiped some days, but in the end it helped. Also, i put some stickers on my bathroom mirror with "don't do this, you are beautiful" and things like these to keep me motivated. It is hard but keep trying🤗
it really sucks, especially when you know it's bad but once you start you just can't stop
Bless her. She seems trapped in her own mind and the doctors who told her to "just stop" need to get some extra training so they'll be less ignorant.
Same with fat shamers.
This woman wouldnt stop eating because it was an addiction and everybody in the comments was like just stop girl.
No. When we deal the the psychological issues, it's the only way to win over them. Sure, you may do some additional things, but the most important is your decision. I had mania to pop pimples on my back in my childhood. Every squeezing was making it worse and worse, I still have lots of scars on my back and chest. Shoulders still worry me. The only that helped is showering more often and and just stopping pop them. Acne disappeared and the skin got flatter. It's a matter of will, nothing else. I still check my skin but do not let myself irritate or harm it as I remember that it will my acne more severe.
Sure, she has it extreme, and it's even harder to just stop, but even in this case there's nothing else that she can do. Not everybody possesses enough will tho, it's understandable and can't be blamed for but it makes it even more difficult to solve. People are different.
I'm thinking in be an therapist of well-being People who take care of obsessive disorders. And I'm thinking of quitting the profession, because I do not see how to help someone who is "relieved" by such things. That makes me sad
@H L Omg serious? Jesus, I hope she rest in peace. what frightens me is the idea of not solving the problems only give solutions, in case my patient dies, the fault even if not totalitarian will be mine. That's is why frickin me out. But thanks I'll work on this!
@H L is so terrible seeing a report of a death person, and see everyone trying help her and her disease, is so sad. Jesus.
I have this too, not to that extreme but it’s a terrible addiction because you can’t stop thinking about it until you do it and after that, when your skin is all red and bloody, you’re so ashamed that sometimes you end up crying. I used to do that when I had to stop self harm, it was like a compensation but you’re even more ashamed after that. She is a real inspiration for me and I hope we’ll talk about this disorder more often in the future.
honeyeom_ Its been a Year, Did things get better? :)
100
I loved the moment where she leaned into the mirror and then sat on the countertop while she described her habit. That was intimate and powerful.
Oh 😂
Absolute facts I felt the same way
This is what I’m saying to myself “oh there’s a bump, scratch it off. Remove those pimples over there on your nose, it will clean out your pores. No bumps mean clear skin” It’s not news that I know I’m absolutely wrong. My brain just keeps telling me to remove whatever blemish it sees on my face, thinking that it will make my completion better, when i know that it would make it way worse. Bleeding, scabs, leeking seem to be invisible to me.
I know what you are feeling, I can't believe I have been doing this for 8 years.. 😭
Been doing this for 9 years now, i really hope that i am able to stop it one day, and since i'm still a kid i have hope that my scars will hopefully fade after some years pass by
I'm always trying to level it out. If it's scabs over, I want it smooth in order to level it. I know i should let it heal but it's hard. Just stop... I wish I could.
@@kory8804 I don't remember when I started, I don't remember not doing it.
Her skin is honestly really smooth and clear considering her condition ❤️
Lily & Ian I noticed that too, but I think she's using products to clear her skin up and make it heal faster so that she won't get any bad problems due to the damage of her skin.
Ikr? I have that too, and my arms, thighs and back are full of dark scars that you can see from distance, it's horrible
Lily & Ian unlike me I have acneD:
0:01 uhm no
I know, she got lucky. My skin is super textured and pock marked because of this. One of my biggest wishes is to just get rid of my pocks and have smoother skin.
It‘s ruining my life.
I don‘t want to go outside. I avoid seeing friends and I have no one to talk about it...
I‘ve considered seeing a doctor or a psychologist.. but I don‘t want to talk about it to my family.
You don't have to if you want. Go to the psychology, do it for yourself. I have depression and I decided to not talk about it with my family, I feel like they won't understand me the way I need to. So I went to the psychology by myself. I hope you feel better soon❤
I would recommend reaching out to online support groups or online therapists if possible, for now. There are so many online resources that list coping skills for things like this, which can constructively occupy you in the meantime considering your nervousness broaching the topic with your family. Work up to being open about it, bit by bit. Love and luck from a fellow ARMY. ❤
💜💜
You're not alone.
Me tooooo
I literally never knew this was a real thing I thought I was the only person in the world that did this, I can't even describe the feeling of comfort I have inside me right now. I can't believe that this is a real thing I can't describe it but I feel like I need to this girl is my hero I'm crying right now
Girl. I understand this. I struggled with it for 10 years before telling anybody about it. I felt so ashamed and sad. The sad thing is that a lot of people don't know there are ways to seriously overcome this skin picking issue. I would love to have you on my channel and value your thoughts and experiences.
I also had no idea that it was a real thing until I started wondering about it.
Much love!
Kate Evans
Same here
x 628202615
Me to have keratosis pilaris and I've been picking at my skin for year! Now i have scars all over and i still can not stop picking
Don't feel bad..I will pray for you guys... To jesus...
Ever since I had gotten bad acne i started picking at my face a lot ... My acne isn’t bad anymore, but I still pick at my pores a lot :// I also pick at my scalp often.. It’s not as severe as this girls, but it’s it’s definitely part of my body dysmorphia..
Lauren Elizabeth same here, I managed to stop on my face but scalp and arms still get it unfortunately
adriannnaable I didn’t really understand how much of a problem it was until I was sitting in front of a mirror and incessantly picking at my nose until it was red and irritated... it’s really frustrating
Lauren Elizabeth Yeah, to "get rid of the blackheads" I wish there was some cut and dry way to stop
adriannnaable I KNOWW and I know that picking at them will only make them bigger and make their appearance worse so it’s so counterproductive...
I pick my scalp too. I'm glad I'm not the only one, I've done it since I was 11 and I turn 18 this year. I don't know how to stop this habit, im usually left with painful craters in my head because I never know when enougb is enough 😣😣
“Just stop!”
If I could I would.
It’s so harddd.. as soon as i think my scalp is healing and the scabs will go away, I pick at it for like an hour:(
It’s hard. I pick on my arms my family friends even people I don’t know say that my arms look terrible. There are like 1 billion scars on my arm. I don’t do my face often since my arms are filled with pimples. I’m really young btw (not saying age) so it’s really hard for me to stop. I’ve been doing this since I was 9. I can’t stop. It’s insanely hard. I pick for hours every day and because it’s in my arm I can access it so easily. I’ve tried to stop it’s never worked so I try and distract myself by playing a game on my phone or calling/FaceTiming my friend. It’s so hard, Ik that I can stop it but I don’t know how. Does anyone have any tips?
Ive only ever seen 1 other person like me. Seeing so many people with dermatillomania in the comments is sp helpful to remind me im not alone
I know. I have been looking in my area for others like me, but I live in a small town. I have reached out through counselors offering posters for BFRB support group in my town but nothing. I know there are online support but it would be nice to meet other people too.
I've had it since I was young but it got worse when I got acne
I agree. I think it's from some kind of anxiety or something
I used to never want to go swimming in primary school because of my dermatillomania
@@carson1701 it often is considered a compulsive behavior as stated in the video, but people certainly have a plethora of reasons for skin picking including anxiety. My therapist tells me that my dermatillomania in particular is triggered by seeking sensory stimulation - the texture, feel of it, etc.
I have acne scars because I love popping pimples. I know it's bad, but it's extremely satisfying
I like Pizza IKR! Especially when the puss squirts on the mirror when you’re squeezing it in the bathroom!
I deal with this to, the worst is that bearly no one understand that not my choise and stop poping is so hard, and you can't run away from yourself to avoid the your own skin.
use a needle to pop them and then squeeze them. after that use a zinc cream on the wound - no more scars
I like Pizza very satisfying..I often catching myself looking at others pimples
Alicia Henderson same and I get so tempted to pop them.
when she talked about the guilt of looking at what you did to yourself, and how she said she sits on her countertop to get a closer look at the bumps and stuff like that made me cry because I realized how much I related to that
I do this alll the time, everywhere. My arms, mostly on my face, back, chest, I just can't stop. When I even see something small I feel the need to get it off but then later a scar appears and it ends up looking worse than it did at the start.
thique me too. i’ve been suffering with this condition for so long and it makes me happy to finally see awareness about it spread some
me too didnt know there was a name for it ,iv left my body and face badly scared
me too, i'm pretty careful about not doing it on my face though. I looked at my self naked the other day and it's like my shoulders, arms and hips are covered in polka dots from scars. kind of startled me. I don't know if mine is this condition or just an anxiety disorder. i think it's just anxiety
Me too- the scars are all over my body and make me feel like a freak
I can't stop picking at my face it's like as if a pimple is on my face witch if there is I'll pick and pick and pick at it. I will literally just want to stop my addiction but I have failed every time I do try to stop if you look on my Facebook page you will see what I'm talking about.
I have OCD, I can relate. My mother keeps telling me to “tell myself not to.” Well I would if I could, it’s not that easy. It’s not a condition you can control or snap out of. I hope one day she understands...
Yep so same
Her arms look exactly like mine. I don’t exactly feel alone anymore.
since i was thinking this same thing im guessing our arms look the same too.
Oh hey, I can relate to this! My focused bodyparts are mostly my face and neck, and I will spend so much time in front of mirrors, looking for the tiniest imperfection to pick on, even if it's totally unnecessary and you KNOW it is, you are aware that it's damaging your skin and that you have scars and dents all over your face, but you just can't fight the urge to pick... And you often can't keep track of how much time you actually spent in the bathroom anymore. I think I might try out her phone-alarm method to attempt to limit my own picking!
I love how calm and collected she seemed when she was explaining Dermatillomania and how it affects her. I hope that she'll be able to minimize the picking someday. She is so beautiful and strong!
MsAngel i can relate to this, mostly by picking scabs and the sides of my fingernails and thumbnails.
MsAngel I do too. My areas are my hands and face :(
I started going to the medispa to get glycolic or salicylic peels. After I got used to the people, my anxiety reduced and It became fun. I look(ed) forward to going. Concurrently, my skin improved-- better than any dermatologist, EVER!! And, cheaper. Now, I hardly ever pick. It really helped my self-esteem by going to this type of skin professional. I never thought it would help so much in so many different ways. It changed a really sad, shameful part of my life to something happy. I actually get compliments on my skin now. I hope this helps someone, even if just one person.
MsAngel i also look at mirror thousands time but never thought to pick my skin though i have the acne prone skin
I can't stop once I start, so I don't even think a timer would help me. But my boyfriend and other family members complain about how much time I spend in the bathroom!
Thank you for being brave enough to talk about this. I've struggled with this my entire life. I don't feel confident enough to wear tanktops, or bathing suits. I hate my scars. I know for me, I pick because it releaves stress.. there is something satisfying about the pain it caused, like a small measure of control that I could have over my life.
My arms are horrible. Wishing you luck
Life With Us it was only in my late teens that I finally began to let up on myself. My legs and arms and bum were covered in pinkish scars by that time, and I somehow managed to build up enough self control to restrain myself from continuing. I told myself the only way to make the pink scars fade into pale less visible scars was to stop touching my skin and to let time heal me. Now my derm scars are pale white flecks and people still come up to me asking me what they are. In times of high anxiety in my life I'll still find myself scratching and finding the satisfaction in picking and peeling away my skin, but the desire is drastically less.
That is self harm not dermitelomania... you should see a therapist life with us.
Same here... It helps me think
ive also been picking since i was 15 and recently i cut my fingernails really short so i couldnt pick and thats what has made a big change in my life
Who else just stands in the shower and picks your skin, and sometimes looks in the mirror to see where else you can pick at? No? Just me?
SAME
Turtle Swim thank the lord im not the only one
Meeee
😮👌👍
I almost cried when I saw this recommended to me. I've struggled with dermatillomania since I was in elementary school. I was bullied for having spots all over from picking. It's worst when doctors don't take it seriously because they're not aware of the disorder. When you talk to your friends about it, they just say "I pop my pimples too sometimes, I know how you feel", but they never truly understand it's more than that. Sometimes friends and family have to physically stop me from picking, but what they don't understand is it only creates more anxiety. For me picking releaves it. It hurts physically and your clothes get ruined from the blood, but the stress and anxiety are greater than the physical pain. I want to stop, but I also don't know if I truly do.
KMIMI I was feeling just like and let me say that I'm pretty freaking sure you want to stop.
The main problem is (also was for me) that it is the "easiest" way for us to release the stress, it's what we know best.
Finding new ways to get rid of anxiety is hard and it takes a lot of time, so out of fear of not being able to find anything else, you get that feeling that you don't really want to stop. Because not doing it seems scary.
There are other ways though. I've been in therapy for a year now and it has gotten getter. I still have a loooong way to go but when I have a good day I can see that the reluctance to stop is just my fear speaking.
Not picking is *awesome* I feel better, I feel happier.
Yet when I'm stresses or nervous I often go back to picking, just because I know "it's always there to help me"/ to relieve stress.
But it's not helping in the long run, it's just a temporary relieve.
This is the first time I’ve related to exactly everything written in a comment! You summed it up so perfectly. While I’m picking, it’s almost like I go into a meditative state or something, and I forget about whatever is stressing me. I don’t even really feel the pain. It’s after I “wake up” from the picking that I realize what I’ve done to myself AGAIN. The wave of shame and self-disgust trumps the physical pain any day.
I even pick in my sleep! One of my areas of focus is my back. The problem with this, is that not only do I ruin clothes by getting them bloody, but when I pick really bad, it even hurts to shower!! Not to mention doing anything to make me sweat is like torture.
gottabesandi yes yes exactly I felt the same way. I related to everything said in the comment one hundred percent..
KMIMI me too my dear. But time has proven kind to my disorder and it is far less controlling as it was in my childhood/teens. Although when I have severe boughts of depression/anxiety, it rears it's ugly head again full force and I feel like I've failed myself and all the hard work of finally overcoming my derm has been for nothing.
This makes me want to cry too. Coming down to the comment section and reading all of these stories, especially yours. Yours hits especially hard for some reason.... I'm so sorry you have to go through this, because it is the worst most embarrassing thing in the whole world but I'm just thankful we aren't the only ones....
I almost want to cry. I had no idea that other people did this too. I've been a "picker" all my life and thought that I was the only one. It's something I've never talked to anyone about. Thank you for being brave and sharing with us! I wish this had been a longer video 💜
Mary Kelly Honey I am too! We are always here for you! You Are Worth It and always remember to love yourself! I’m trying to completely stop this summer!
Same here!!
I didn’t realize I had this too until I watched this
This opened my eyes
Same here my legs are full of picks and scratches
"just stop" I SWEAR TO GOD MATE IF I COULD I WOULD WHO THE FRICK WOULD WILLINGLY PICK THE HECK OUT OF THEIR SKIN
Nonono you’ve misunderstood me; I myself struggle with compulsive skin picking and i’m saying, in response to people who tell us to “just stop”, that it’s not like that and if I could I would/I don’t ‘choose’ to pick at and ruin my skin
Fluffy Puppy disorder? This is not disorder this is what we want to do! If we say stop so we can do this. People need just start to live!
Monica Monica Dermatillomania IS a disorder. Another common name for it is actually excoriation disorder. It’s linked to the anxiety disorder OCD. Edit: Just have to say, by the way, as another person who suffers from dermatillomania, I don’t WANT to pick. I look in the mirror and see something I don’t like, or I feel my skin, and I cave. I need to do it or else I won’t stop thinking about it. If I could just stop doing this, I would.
umyikes honey i was suffered panic attaccs and anothers a lot of "disorders" and i know that we need time to understand that we can control this.
Monica Monica Technically, yes, we can control it, but it’s a compulsion that we feel, and it is often too difficult to control. We feel that we must give in to these compulsions or else “something bad may happen”. That’s kind of what OCD is.
I’m not as close to her point but I do have a issue if I look in the mirror and I’m alone I’ll start popping and messing with my acne or any bump or scab on my face and won’t stop for like an hour until I’m all swollen and red and bleeding and every time I’m upset and hate myself for doing it but yet I can’t stop and I’ll spend half my day hiding my face until it calms down enough to show my self
removing my mirror from my bathroom or covering it up has helped me a lot.
I am the exact way!
Same!!
same...
Same here
She’s so pretty . I hope she can overcome this .
I've got this problem...it's not fun
Ikr me too😑
Honestly derma can seem like it's just a "weird habit" and growing up with it it feels like a personal failure. But it's a disorder. It relieves specific anxieties in the moment, but giving into it primes you for the same thing next time, picking can make wounds instead of harmless bumps, you can get infections and scars and cause yourself a lot of pain and upset.
I used to get scolded and threatened by my mother for doing it; a couple times she stood me in the kitchen and yelled and told me how "awful" I looked- please don't ever do that to your kid because it's only going to make them feel worse about how they look and increase the anxiety that prompts the compulsive behaviour in the first place.
My mom would do the same.. It felt really bad. I felt disgusted from myself.
Yes you hit the hammer on the nail..when I'm stressed I pick at my face more...its making the ane worst it just spreads it
Same sigh
bzzy bee you just described my life story. I’ve been diagnosed and my parental mom thinks I’m “faking it” and that I can “just stop” yet refuses to take me to therapy for it despite the fact that I have other meds and have been told by my psychiatrist that I should be. All I hear is yelling about my face constantly. I want to just leave the house all the time because I hate it.
I've got a phobia of vomiting and every time I feel nauseous and scared I start picking at my face and I completely forget about my nausea and fear, but afterwards I just stare into the mirror and wonder what I've done... it's a vicious cycle
I have red scabs on my face, all over my arms, on my shoulders, and I even have scars. Some people think that all you have to do is "just stop", but that's not the case. It's hard, dealing with the insecurity. Every time I look in the mirror, or at myself, I'm reminded of the own irreversible damage that I've done to myself. Some people have asked what was wrong with my skin, and it's painful to explain. Sometimes I worry that I might get an infection, and sometimes, after realizing what I've done to myself, I just sit alone and cry. My family knows about my "habit", but we never considered it to be an actual problem/disorder. Somehow my scars aren't indents like what you'd expect. They're more like freckles, but lighter in color than my natural skin. I think it depends on how you pick and how deep you pick. My picking is more shallow, but I pick everywhere in the certain area.
A year late, just dropped by to say how much I agree with you. This video honestly made me want to cry with relief that people are spreading awareness of this disorder. I've been to a doctor and was told it was just a bad habit. "We don't need to give it a name", they said when told them I thought it was dermatillomania. I haven't been to another yet because of coronavirus. When I first started picking, people in my class would ask me what happened to my face, and I'd have to give them excuses that I feel so embarrassed about all these years later because they clearly weren't true. My family wouldn't understand. Why is it that depression and anxiety are easier to comprehend than picking at your skin? No one these days says to someone with depression, "oh cheer up". It feels like with dermatillomania we're very much behind other disorders in terms of acceptance and treatment.
@@ej8318 I can feel your pain. It's extremely difficult when people say things like "just stop" or "just quit doing it" or something like that, as if it was 100% under our control whether or not we followed through with picking. In my case, I have had this habit for many years, stretching back into childhood. Back when I was a kid, I mainly picked at my scalp, and one time a teacher(in early elementary school years) had pulled me aside to check for bugs but I had to describe to her that I was just picking at myself instead of itching, and it was pretty embarrassing because other students were watching and she was silent as she checked my scalp. As I got older I switched from that to my arms and face, and since then I have had some classmates ask what was wrong with my skin/what happened to it. Over the years I've gotten pretty used to the pain with it, and have kind of given up a little. I don't really cry over my picking habit anymore, because i have some other emotional/mental and physical health problems that preoccupy my mind now. Things are just tough I guess.
E J I’m just sitting here crying my eyes out bebaust I just realized I’m not alone, there are people who understand me people who feel the same, I just came out if the bathroom after a session of picking and came across this video and just startet crying immediately, nobody has ever understood me and my parents just say, what are you doing, your arms are red, and I can’t explain it and I hate it, I hate it when my friends ask what I’m doing and I just sit there and don’t know what to say and just end up saying it’s nothing. It just feels so good to know you’re not alone, thank you!
@@meiranissen4296 There are many people out there who understand what we go through, and you can see that just by looking through this comment section. Unfortunately it feels to me a lot like they only exist on the internet! I wish you the best of luck. Know that someone out there is thinking of you! :)
E J thank you, really it feels so good to hear that. :))
Oh my word, I now know what my obsession is called. Thank you for making this video. 😇
Same bruh
freaks..jk
Same - but she's picking harder than me
Sameeee bro😭 especially my finger skin
Breanna McCar sameee
I’ve had this since I was 14 and I am 28 now. It’s exhausting honestly. It’s not just picking at something every once in a while. It’s a fight between yourself not to do it knowing what it causes and doing it anyway and the cycle starts over again. I’ve never been to the doctor because of being scared they would react the way she says they did to her. I do it in waves like sometimes my face will look terrible and for a while that’ll be over and it’ll be clear and over and over again. I don’t wish it on anyone
I am the same I know not to do it but I can’t help my self it’s so addicting
I CAN FINALLY SHOW MY PARENTS THAT ITS NOT SO EASY!!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH! YOU HAVE HELPED ME!!!
as someone with dermatillomania, it makes me really happy to see someone talking so openly about it and given a platform to share their experience. i was never bullied for my skin but i can only imagine what being called "craterface" does to your self esteem on top of internal judgment and anxiety. sending my love to everyone else out there struggling
Quinn the exposure is snowballing and it's amazing
Coco Owen its awesome. maybe one day i wont have to explain what it is to every doctor i meet lmao
I was bullied for mine, never called crater face but I was always told I was ugly because of my complexion.
I was called band-aid girl because my parents would attempt to cover them up to avoid me picking.
I actually thought that I was the only one with this obsession... Now I finally have the name for it. I've picked my skin for soooo long and my mom always says to just "stop picking" but I guess she doesn't know how hard it actually is. Also the fact that I don't (and can't bc of my mental fear) take anxiety pills, going out of the house is SO HARD. Like in the summer, when you see so many people with tank tops and you're there just being so jealous of them cuz you basically NEED to wear long-sleeved shirts, even when it's extremely hot. I'm actually really grateful that I live in Finland, since here it's pretty cold most of the time, so wearing covering clothes isn't weird. One of my daily fears is when people DO notice the marks it left and ask what it is. I've heard ppl usually say bug bites, but since in Finland there isn't that kind of animals, except mosquitos, that leave the marks, so it depends on the time of the year can I use the excuse. So when it isn't summer, the situation is like a nightmare to me. Also one of the struggles is when we need to go swimming in school. I've used so many excuses over the past years to get away from the swimming, and 'til this day, I haven't swum since 5th grade, and with the family, in 4 years!!! I just wish one day I'll just stop picking and hopefully accept and love the scars it left behind. I know they will haunt me forever, but the only thing I can do is accept. Hopefully, people will one day accept these, without judging, so the people suffering from this, don't need to have so much stress, anxiety, and fears when letting ppl see the marks. So to all people having this disorder, i'm praying for you to get better and finally live your life the fullest!!!
I use to do this as well. A good technique is to use a timer like the girl in the video or have something else to do with your hands when you feel anxious and have a urge to pick (I use to sketch geometric patterns or cut all the wax off of pillar candles and mix all the different colors/scents together, which was oddly satisfying). Just letting you know what worked for me... I never took medication for it either because I had no health insurance at the time. Wishing you luck with overcoming this...
Calin Gibbons Thank you:) I actually just a couple of days ago bought a fidget cube and it really helped me not to pick that much! Sadly, the timer thing didn't work, since my hands just finds their way somehow to pick... It's too bad that fidget cubes are banned in my school during classes so my hand automatically goes inside my sleeve and picks.. So school is the real challenge for me now:( But again, thank you so much!!!!!
xX_jamlessmin_Xx i now that felling cus i do that a lot, but i dont do that in school because i think ppl will judge me and the main problem is when im bored and i start to mostly pick my arms and sometimes face. My scars are literally invisible but im scared that i wont be able to stop doing that and it will left me with much bigger scars. I dont think that fidger cube will work for me and if you have some ideas or advice pls help me out.
No, but thanks for the advice:)
xX_jamlessmin_Xx I have the same problem, so let me just say something: You don't have to love them. Sure, you see people say "I love my scars" and that's fine and well for them but don't think you have to do the same. As you say, acceptance is the key. I accept my scars but I know I will never ever feel any kind of love towards them; and I've beaten myself up for so long because I thought I *had* to like them. Do what feels right for *you*, that may be love but not loving them is totally fine as well.
What might help you in school is a kneadable eraser! It really helped me keep my fingers busy and school doesn't forbid those :)
I like to let my lips dry so I can rip the skin off. I sometimes can't stop for quite a while, maybe 2 hours straight, and then my fingers get bloody and there's a bunch of skin on my shirt. My lips get swollen and red and it looks like I have an std or something, and I can go like this for months, and then months where I don't touch them. Also, when people start to scold me too much I start to rip the skin on my left elbow. This has been going on since I can remember.
So weird. Feels good to write this down.
I do the same thing.... in pick at my lips especially when I'm anxious or stressed out.. I hate it
Maybe you can try to keep chapstick or something with you at all times. Everytime u want to pick, put some on. It helps me out.
If there is ever dead skin on my lips I have to pick it. I've bled numerous times. It gets way worse when my anxiety is up, but also in the winter when the air is dry. If I'm ever self-conscious about it I wear lipstick to hide it.
I've tried so many lip balms but I never have them on hand consistently enough to stop the picking. I also tried a lip scrub and a lip exfoliator but they do not cut through the scar tissue.
I do the exact same thing to my lips. I ripped them so bad o e time , they were black from bruising and bleeding.
Sometimes it helps me if i put on a tick layer of hand cream on my lips. I have a feeling like I can't touch them cause there's something on them. And it also nourishes them. I repeat this when the cream dries up. Doesn't always work but it helps me
You are a beautiful person, inside and out. Those who say to simply stop picking are insensitive and fail to understand that it isn't that easy. It is incredibly brave of you to spread awareness of dermatillomania and let others know that they are not alone.
FINALLY!!! I’ve waited so long for a documentary on this subject. I have been struggling with it for so long. I have scars ALL over my body, which makes it hard for me to show even the slightest bit of skin. I honestly don’t know how to make it any better.
big hugs for everyone with derma!! sending a lot of peace and calm to you❤
I feel like I have a mild case of this. I’m super obsessive about picking at any type small bump, blackhead, or resemblance of a pimple. Everyone assumes it’s a habit but it’s so hard to stop and no ones knows
Sam Giffin I have the same. But I don't pick when there are no pimples. I do this when I am stressed because it makes me feel calm
Imagine. And that's the problem
me too
As someone with dermatillomania, I honestly feel this vid. I pick at my hands, arms, face, and legs. I have eczema, too, meaning I scratch, then I pick at the sores I leave. It's perpetual, and it makes me so self conscious... I wear hoodies year long, and I live in Texas as well (Surfside Beach, an hour from Houston ayyyy), meaning I constantly am hot, but at least it's better than showing my skin. My mother has the disorder too (she picks at her shoulders, face, and legs) and we fight our battle together.
I feel you..on a really strong personal level. I have it too.
Ollie HAY FELLOW TEXAN I hope all is well
I go through this too!! So glad to see I'm not alone. Stay strong
So do i, its on my arm :(woof eczema gang 😴
Same here man! I even pick my skin when i'm sleep without knowing which makes my eczema even worse :(((
Gosh. I thought I was the only one suffering from this disorder.
It's already been 9 years of my life lost to this condition, I don't go outside oftenly and when I do go out I have to wear long-sleeved clothes to hide my scars. But I can't hide my face which is a problem for me - I feel like everyone is looking at my skin in disgust.
Nobody thinks it's a problem, "just stop" is the only thing I've been told. "Just stop or you won't find a boyfriend while it's already time for you to have children", "Just stop or you won't be able to sunbathe as your skin is too ugly to be shown", "just stop or people will think you are contagious and will do everything to avoid you", "just stop 'cause you are a girl and you HAVE TO be beautiful no matter what".
Thank you, dear relatives.
When I say I need help and I need to consult a psychiatrist they look at me as if I were insane. They think I have no problem and I "just don't want to stop". I think that if I come to the doctor they would mock me as in my country the mental illness awareness is hecking low, like, when you say you don't want to live anymore and you constantly pick your skin and cry and eat unstoppably and don't go out with friends (and you don't have friends already) spending all your time in bed staring at the wall all you hear is "don't be sad\lazy\stop overthinking\you are way to young to have such issues\etc.
And watching this video made me cry 'cause I saw myself. And all I've been thinking about was "oh god, it would be a bless to meet this girl and make friends, she would probably understand me". But it's not going to happen. I'm bound to die in this forsaken country with no money anf strength to leave it and change my life.
But still I'm glad I watched this video. Makes me feel I'm not alone.
Just wanted to say I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have it to, but to a lesser extent than the girl in the video. All I can say is I’m glad the video could bring you comfort, and I hope you’re at least a little bit better than you were 4 years ago. Lots of love 💗
I can really relate to this girl. I felt ugly all through high school as I had severe acne. I would look in the mirror and just violently scratch and scratch at it because I was so mad and I just wanted it to go away. It is so frustrating when people go “well just don’t pick at it” like it’s easy. She is a lovely and beautiful girl❤️
Not as much now. Sometimes I’ll do it out of frustration but it is getting better. I still have a lot of scars which are just a reminder of it unfortunately. The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion really helps me now and I just use scar treatments. I hope you’re skin will get better 💞
I have this problem. Some days it's not as bad as others though
Amazing video depicting what living with derma is like. I’ve had this condition my entire life and it has impacted me in school, home, socializing, and my ability to work. We need more coverage on dermatillomania and all BFRBs
Ashlynn Kelly I appreciate this so much. I really tried hard to cover everything I thought was important for people to know.
You two girls are beautiful, if that's you in the icons. I struggle with the same thing since i was 9 and I am now 14
Emma Faith you did an awesome job. thank you so much for being vulnerable enough to truly show the struggle that it is to have a BFRB
i cut my finger nails really really short so i couldnt pick and ever since that my picking has stopped!
Ah. I've tried that but it didn't help me.. A few years ago I actually attempted to REMOVE my nails but that had very painful consequences
i have long gel extensions that solved it for me!
I've tried cutting my nails really short or fake ones but none have worked :/
For me it made it worse, I just keep digging.
I still manage to pick with short nails. It’s incredibly painful and takes forever. Taking away my means does not satisfy the compulsion. It only makes things worse.
God it’s so reassuring to see this being showed in media and awareness being brought to it. I suffered from dermatillomnia (as well as separate OCD) for so many years and it ruined my life. When I picked, I would not go to school, see friends, or sometimes even leave my room. I looked like a meth addict, I was covered in scabs and redness. I was disgusted with myself and considered killing myself so many times. I had tried some medications but I was disheartened when they didn’t work. But last summer I finally got on a new medication- Lexapro- and it changed my life. I haven’t picked compulsively for months. I’m in college and it’s so amazing to be able to leave my room, go to class, and feel confident with myself and my skin. If you are on a medication and it’s not helping don’t give up, try a different one. I can’t guarantee it will work immediately but it’s worth a shot because life with dermatillomania is really no life at all. You don’t have to live with it.
she’s such a pretty girl
I finally dont feel alone. I understand everything emotion and feelings you have
Picking at my skin as I’m watching this video :/
The second I saw this I said: GIRL ME TOO!! But I realize she has a serious condition, I just pick my acne.
The universal dermatillomania feeling when people ask if you have chickenpox
I feel for her. I feel compelled to share my story here. I did this squeezing and picking from age 11 when I started getting pimples and blackheads to 21. I would stand in front of the mirror and do it most days for about 3-7 hours. Once I put my hands on my skin I couldn't stop. I would literally dig in my skin for the blackhead or pus to come out if it didn't want to come out. I even started doing it involuntarily in my sleep it was so ingrained! I was full of scars and marks. I also made deep sores elsewhere on my body and picked off the scabs. I also picked my scalp badly for about 7 years and a lot of hair fell out. I'm surprised I still look human to be honest.
It was definitely an anxiety ocd thing for me and not knowing how to deal with it. I'm here to say for those dealing with this disorder that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. I'm 36 now and have not voluntarily picked or squeezed since 21. I finally got myself out of this negative habit because of fear of totally ruining my face for life and losing all my thick lovely hair. I got sick of the whole process of hurting myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I started healing from this. Over the years I took better care of my skin and used scar and dark mark healing oils and creams like Vitamin E etc. My skin looks pretty good now and the scars have faded greatly. My hair also thickened back up.
Distract yourself and channel your focus into positive hobbies, interests, dreams and goals. You are in control of this unhealthy coping mechanism and not the other way round! Mostly, learn to accept and love yourself for who you are and be comfortable in your own skin literally. :-)
How kind of you to share so much of yourself, Megan. I hope you are still in recovery and living in joy. 🙏
It just shows how great the internet can be cause she has people with the same condition to talk to. I wish the best for her , she's a beautiful girl
I have a name for it now! (no, I'm not trying to "self diagnose") Thank you! You're so brave for posting this... I honestly had no idea this many people struggled with this along with me... I do it constantly.. I have scabs and scars on my face, neck, arms, shoulders.. (especially my face and neck). I can't stop.. It's so hard. If I feel the bump, I just blindly pick pick pick. I also tend to pick at my head when I'm not picking my face or anywhere else. I get so embarrassed when bring caught doing it and not realizing that I am...and I'm told "just stop doing it"..if I could, I would! My serious anxiety doesn't help the matter and now becomes a "tick" that I do, almost. You're so brave for speaking about it and you're absolutely gorgeous!! ♥
I was really doubting that I had this disorder, but now I see that I do the exact same things as she does. I have a doctor's appointment for tomorrow and I'm determined to tell them about this disorder so that I can get help.
Update?
It's difficult to live with Ocd. I was diagnosed at age 16 and since that day my life is not the same. There are a variety of Ocds ... Some people think is just about cleaning and organizing but it's not.I hope she's strong enough to handle this because it's exhausting and you have to fight against it every second of your life. My blessings to her because no matter what She's such beautiful young woman.
kika Cabrera I also have OCD and it's not just about cleaning and being neat. OCD is so much harder and and I realize its all in our heads. I was never diagnosed by a doctor but I know I have it and my mom caught the signs as soon as I was very little when I didn't even know what OCD was. I also have a compulsive habit of skin picking and other rituals. It's actually a weird story on how I found out I had OCD when I knew what it was.
I have high funcaning autism and ocd i cant sleep unless all the dores in the whole house are shut and i like things a certain way or ill have an anxiety attack
kika Cabrera I have OCD as well
I feel sick to my stomach, I used to have legit perfect skin, then the picking started. I’m now left with sensitive scarred skin. I had a friend tell me “When we first met, I was so jealous of your skin!”, because there is a stark difference between now and then… I’ll do well for a while, not pick anything, then all of a sudden, BOOM, picked and dug at my face so badly that I look like I have some sort of infectious disease. I can’t figure out how to stop the cycle.
I have that too. I can't control it, it just feels so satisfying when I pick them however the outcome isn't great. I always regret it but I end up doing it anyways. It's really hard to control myself :(
I also have dermatillomania. And it ruins my life. I just want to have good skin. In the 5 years I've had this I've only had a week where I could stop myself from doing it. But then it just came back. I'm really trying. I hope someday I can "just stop picking" like all the doctors say.
I have struggled with Dermatillomania for years. Nice to know I’m not alone.
omg i thought i was the only one that did this...i didnt know there was a name for it i just thought it was because of my anxiety. Ive always been doing it since i was a kid. i get asked all the time if im on drugs which im definitely not. ive had my best friend tell me that i do it and dont realize im doing it. i have scars all over my body because of it.
Ashley Wise Hopefully you visit a doctor soon so you could get some help
I've spent time in hospital and rehab due to depression. I've been on medication for 2.5 years. You start to learn that you are never alone.
I know what I have is very different but I wholeheartedly recommend talking to your doctor about any form of mental disorder. I was scared to at first, but maybe if I'd gotten help sooner I wouldn't have spent half a year in care.
Ashley Wise maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
I feel you Emma. I have dermatillomania too. I'm 43 and I still pick at myself, and search out things to pick. I even find myself doing it as I'm sleeping. It's awful. Good luck to you hun!!
I feel for bumps when I'm laying in bed sometimes.
I also pick early morning when I'm not fully awake and aware I'm scratching at my face ~sigh~
I'm always aware, but can't stop myself anyway.
I'm 60 years old and still pick. The more I try not to, the worse the urge becomes 😧
Me too. If I have a scab from a bite or cut or scratch, that scab is going to get picked. I am powerless to stop myself.
This was recommended to me as i was picking my skin, the FBI in my computer is really to looking out for me and looking at me
I have dermatillomania and dermatophagia. And also my name is Emma. So great to see someone to relate to. I hope you get better soon and continue to get better and grow 💗
I have a bad habit of biting at and peeling off the first layer of my thumb and index finger prints often especially after i have cut my finger nails, also the skin on my lips... Anyone else?
LilXan Gallagher I do this on all my fingernails and at the corners of all my fingers but my thumbs are the worst :/ I've always kept everything inside, every small problem and every significant one. I think not having an outlet for stress really contributes to it.
I clip my nails to numbs and I also pick the loose skin off below the nails and on the sides of the nails too.This has become such a habit for me.Maybe one day I will stop and decide to let my nails grow out long and pretty Instead of having numbs for nails.
LilXan Gallagher I have a bad habit of picking off my entire head
I have GAD(General Anxiety Disorder) and when I get stressed I bite the skin around my nail off on all fingers, more on the thumb. I didn't know but some people pointed out that I would even sometimes eat the skin. It came to the point where theres a 'ditch' around my finger nails(not around the cuticle/ where the nail starts) and I know how much I can bite off before I draw blood.
Yes
Struggling with this too right now. We'll get through this my fellow sufferers ❤
Thank you. I’ve suffered from this for years, I used to tell people I was allergic to chlorine so I wouldn’t have to go to the pool because my chest was just raw and bloody from picking...to hear that and see you get better gives me hope.
I can so relate. ❤️ I just posted a video opening up about my skin picking disorder. It so hard to break the mindset that makes you want to pick. It sucks and it’s so hard because there’s a part of you that feels the incessant need to pick, and there’s a part of you that knows it’s wrong, and it’s a day to day battle between doing what you feel like you need to do and KNOWING that you need to stop. I’m here if anyone ever wants to talk about it. 💕
I also have this condition but I guess it's somewhat less severe. I started applying raw honey on face because it's really really good for the skin and my picking has stopped quite a bit. Honey is sticky and a thick fluid so you can't touch your face like you usually do, so I think you could try it. I strongly believe that we can overcome this craziness. So all you guys out there, please find the cue to this habit and promise yourself to be kinder to yourself. We got this!
i have the same problem and i cant stop, every time i get a cut or a bump in the skin i pick and rip it apart.. i dont know why i do it but i hope to stop because it leaves countless scars on my body. and i hate going out in public knowing ive scarred my skin to crap, im glad im not the only one who does it
RedDead102, I do it too. I have some blemishes for months because I can’t resist picking every time it scabs over.
RedDead102 maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
thank you so much for the idea :)
yeah man, every time i get a cut i pick the scab until it scars over.. i know how ya feel haha, and it sucks because half the time i don't even notice i'm doing it
She’s so pretty though 😣
Becka Garcia she is
Girl .. I totally agree !!
The though isn't necessary . She's pretty regardless
I was watching this and in the middle of it I started unintentionally picking at a scab on my face from picking earlier.
I suffer from this too :) lots of love, we aren't alone 💝
Same here
Kaden does gaming - can you stop pervert-syndrome? Lol 😂
Ikr,where I'm frm no diagnosis
Same
XxPushoverxX maybe you can get those clear skin drops, I think band aid brand makes them. They are clear and breathable but thick like a clear silicone band aid. Put it on the place you want to pick and pick on the band-aid. Or maybe instead of picking get some face makeup stamps and stamp yourself. Almost like face painting but with a stamp. I mean you are still marked but it is a think of beauty instead and you won't pick at the skin. Idk hon. Or maybe just put stickers on your face or something. Distract yourself with something over your skin?? Maybe do full Body painting?? Just some thoughts
I have that too and I have scars and scabs and open wounds all over my body. I told my parents and they says its just acne. And my friend says I'm just saying it for attention. Everybody looks at me like I'm a monster. I don't have a doctor either so I can't get medication or therapy right now. And everyone tells me to stop picking. And it never works.
Same
Kaden does gaming oh I didn't know I was telling a story. And plus where is the story anyway? I don't see it anywhere. Lol.
kierra singer people don't understand if it's not happening to them.
kierra singer sorry to hear that, hope things get better for u
kierra singer i hope u can get the help u need soon in the meantime stay strong
❤
My sister picks her skin on her forehead, and yk she sent this to me, and now I feel really bad cause the other day I yelled at her for picking her skin and I legit told her to stop picking it otherwise it’ll get worse. (I really cared about her, because she could get scars and it could be very painful. I didn’t want her to experience that.) and now I realised that I shouldn’t had yelled at her, because it won’t make it any better, and Anna if you see this I’m extremely sorry. As a big sister I should’ve known better.
I was picking my skin when I clicked on this video, sooo
Ms Keisha how
Same
Same
Same
Yup, always
Ah I have this problem too. I have random spots on my legs and face that never heal because I keep picking and picking and picking. Sometimes I even pick at nothing until I break skin. I hate it and I feel this so much
ᜌᜈ mine is really bad i started picking started scaring and it never goes away:(
I’m so happy I’m found someone else’s who understands me. Because I’m constantly picking my skin and my family points it out and I hate it. But I can’t control it and I wear long sleeves. So thank you for showing your story and makes me realize people who suffer from this aren’t alone. The thing is I just came from the bathroom from picking my skin and searched up how to stop picking my acne. Because I’m so insecure about it.
i have this problem but im better than i used to be. i cant let anyone see my back especially. shameful :(
Rachel same here. I have a problem with picking at my back too
me too even when it is very hard to reach some parts of the back I will figure out a way to pick at those points
I have this also . But i think shameful is wrong ( though i still struggle with it ) . A mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of , it is what it is . It s good to aknowledge it & do something about it but to shame ourselves , this is wrong . I am not proud of what i did either but i do intend to release any shame & what i m proud of is my progress in healing & proud of having stopped to hide my mental issues & pretend that i m fine all the time when i was around other pple . if someone will ask bout my scars i ll tell the truth , if they are someone close or good intentioned if bullying strangers i ll stand up for myself tell them mind their own bodies .
aww girl :( i am the same. i dont ever like wearing tank tops because i have so much acne scars from picking at my zits and scabs. I really thought i was the only one. *hugs*
Yes same! I mostly have scsrs on my left leg and my left arm. I never knew this was a disorder until now!
I do this constantly with the skin around my fingernails.
I do it to and people to me to stop but I can’t. It’s not that easy to just magically stop biting my nails. It’s as is if I would be going cold turkey
I do it too. Acrylic nails have helped me a lot!
Same
me too, i make myself bleed and its sore ill put a plaster on then ill pick and fiddle with that. I pick at my face all the time and things will take weeks to heal and people will say oh your face is bleeding. The shame
try an emory board to smooth the skin bits down!
Remember, your skin will heal itself, it might take time but it knows what to do better than you, so let it take out the imperfections on his own.
I have struggled with this for about a year and a half and I am starting to see scarring. Seeing her scars really stunned me into realizing that what the path I am on is going to scar me for the rest of my life. I knew it was a bad thing but this really puts it into perspective. I am going to try to go a week without picking, to start off. I usually cant go more than 2 days. Wish me luck!
I also take anxiety medicine and have OCD just liker Emma (and my name is Emma too).
ℇммα ℍαgeи > finger cots and “finger gloves” which can be bought from local drug store or amazon can make it more difficult to pick
Good luck , i ve managed to reduce my self picking also . it's a work in progress.
I'm a darker complexion as you see in my photo....and when I get acne even when I don't bother it I still get hyperpigmentation...when the skin darkens around those spots and become noticeable...its more noticeable on people my skin tone then a Caucasian person... I was seeing a dermatologist but can't afford to atm. I have picked at zits and feel so guilty because my face is not like it used to be... My face healed better when I was younger but now its not the same.... I realize that in order to help lighten and correct the damage I will eventually have to pay 1000s of dollars per month for cosmetic laser treatments... I had a consultation at one point but have to wait til I can afford it. I have skin bleach from the dermatologist but you can mess up your skin if you do it too long or put it in the wrong spot... Like my lip for example... Zits on the lip line are horrifyingly embarrassing... So I picked at it. Left a kind of dark round scar and I tried to use the skin bleach and of course it messed up the pigment on my lip.... It sucks that we think certain things will help but feel down we know some decisions can make it worse resulting in a last resort of spending tons of money to correct these problems. I will eventually do it. Because I CANT STAND it. I want my perfect face back. My confidence really relies on my facial appearance. Idc about marks on other parts of my body... My face is an absolute no-no.
I've had this condition ever since I started going through puberty and I noticed my first pimple. Now I'm out of college and my picking is at the worst it's ever been. For those who are suffering with the condition, I thought I would mention that there are amazing support communities for dermatillomania online - on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, whichever social media platform you use - and this has helped relieve my anxiety trememdously. It helps to know that you're not alone, and talk to others who are facing the same issues as you.
She’s gorgeous! Also I love the story about her cat distracting her. So cute 😻
When she said 'body focused repetitive behaviour' it just clicked in my mind...I have had OCD for 13 years and I never considered it a part of it, but it so obviously is. I never talk about this to anyone (apart from my doctor's) and I've barely Googled it as I'm so ashamed.
You sound just like me, I'm struggling to come to terms with what I've done to myself, for a long time I completely normalised it, my obsession started when I had acne as a teenager, I'd pick and scrub my face raw, this continued even when my acne cleared up, I've never been in a proper relationship as Ive never wanted anyone to get close enough to find out this bizzare secret I was hiding, im 38 now and feel my life is destroyed
I have a severe case of dermatites (atopic and contact) and hardcore skin picking for me is just part of having a life long hardly treatable skin disease. My advice, for those who have tried everything and failed:
Try choosing a place in your body to pick. Of course, resist picking as much as you can, but when all else fails, pick only that one specific place.
Choose wisely, a place that doesnt show, that will heal nicely, etc. And pick at it.
I won't say it will cure you, but it will focus your damage on a single area, reducing stress and anxiety that comes with being taken over by scabs and scars, and also helping control future infections that may occur.
I hope yall feel any better, stay strong and please seek professional help ❤
i wish this worked for me, but if i so much as pick at one single thing i suddenly open my eyes to all the other places to pick and before i know it i'm in the flow of it and have to 'fix' every single spot. kinda like how you can go weeks without cleaning, but as soon as you clean one thing you feel the urge to make the place spotless. except this is definitely counter productive lol
It’s so great that this disorder is getting the recognition it needs. So many people pass it off as self harm or think the cure to “stop picking” is as easy as it is to start.
I have little white dots all over my body the scars from picking and I didn't know anyone else had that and now I'm so happy that I'm not the only one
the worst is when a little kid asks me how I got all those "boo boos." I feel so ashamed and have to hold back tears every time
Hey, I feel you. I pick my skin all the time hunny, don't worry. The world loves you.
I once suffered from dermatillomania in my early to mid 20s. I completely understand the pain and embarrassment you feel. I somehow no longer do it. Mine was related to uppers and caffine made it 10xs worse. I still love popping and picking videos but i no longer do it to myself. I hope she can overcome this.
it's nice to see this condition publicized a little. i have fairly minor dermatillomajia - localized rn mostly on my breasts and lightly on my thighs and face, but as a young teen i was brutal to my arms. they bear scars a lot like hers.
I have been picking my skin for as long as I can remember, I think I've been doing it for more than 10 years now. I decided to try again to stop and now I'm almost 4 days clean and I can see the skin growing, but I it's not smooth and it's difficult not to pick it. But I've had enough. I hope I can do this. I wish all of you the best and be proud of your achievements, even the little ones
I also pick my skin specially from my face and nipples, I have an indented scar on my forehead due to it despite I don't suffer from acne, and I'm also addicted to removing my nipples hairs and I have many wounds and then I regret doing that immediately ... It's an illness...
I have the nipple thing a little too.
I have been diagnosed with OCD as I pick at my scalp. I have long hair thats healthy and it covers it up very well but I have tons of scabs all over. This has been going on for years. And I understand her, as it is definitely not as easy as " stop picking". Due to the scabs that keep being reopened showering hurts, running my fingers through my hair hurts, and honestly I look like I have lice as I am picking subconsciously. Somedays I rather sit on the couch and pick at them while watching tv rather then going out with people. Its a painful journey and something I am attempting to work on through working on my anxiety.
I am with you. I'm 27 and have had this since I was 5/6 years old. Thank goodness I have thick hair. Nothing has helped me thus far. Good luck with your next step.
mfunnymonkey123 > get finger cots or finger gloves to make it harder to pick
mfunnymonkey123 I go through the exact same thing and I thought I was the only one. Thank you for this comment
I haven’t been diagnosed, but I haven’t been able to stop picking at my scalp for the past half of a year.
I have the same thing
I have been embarrassed by my body for YEARS. it effected relationships and being intimate. I thought i looked like a monster and having a name for what’s going on has made me feel like a new person. Once i was diagnosed my whole world started to make sense. This video was the reason i went and got diagnosed. Amazing
She's still beautiful as she is and I hope nothing bad happens to her