Slight-OCD Skin Picking Advice

[URMySunshine77]

I know many of you. I'd like to join you, if I can. I'm in my late thirties and SAHM to a toddler boy.

I'd like to ask for some advice. I have minor obsessive compulsive disorder. I have never been diagnosed, but I have tendencies that lead me to believe that I have it. My two sisters have struggled with anxiety, depression, and OCD, and it runs in my family.

Recently, my skin picking has gotten out of control. I always have some excuse for it like "this week's really stressful" or "it's my time of the month." The truth is that I compulsively pick my face (esp. jawline), shoulders, and back. My skin kind of stings from the acne, so I am compelled to pick, thinking it will feel better. 

I don't want to visit a dermatologist right now because I'm TTC and won't want to take any prescription medications. Clarisonic seems to have helped my face breakouts a bit, but it doesn't quell my picking, of course. Do any of you have any non-medicinal advice to help stop a person from picking? I would really appreciate any of your experiences and if you think that therapy might help me.

[yoshijo28]

Hi! I don't have wonderful advice but I can sympathize. I have OCD and will skin pick occasionally and pull my eyebrows or eyelashes often. Half the time I don't even know I'm doing it until it's too late. I try to distract myself if I realize I am doing it, but It's difficult because the compulsion to do it is there. I hope someone else has some good advice for you!

[icequeen]

URMySunshine77, hi!!! Welcome. We would love to have you join. We usually do check-ins on Tuesdays if you would like to join in, and will most likely start a goal setting thread on Mondays.

As for your question, I can understand why you would have the tendency to believe that you do, especially with your family history. Would you be open to getting a referral from your PCP to see a psychiatrist? If you feel like it is a problem that is interfering with your daily life and causing you to be physically, emotionally, and mentally unhealthy, then I think it would be great if you could get a proper diagnosis so you can start tackling it. It doesn't have to be in huge leaps or anything, but some steps to getting you feeling more in control would make you so much better as a whole! But, if you feel like you just do it "out of habit" then you can just ignore what I said. FWIW, I used to compulsively pick at my cuticles, which thankfully has gotten better, but now my problem is my dry skin, especially on my legs. I end up scratching them until they bleed and then get scabs so my legs are always beat up.

[URMySunshine77]

yoshijo28 and @giamia923, thank you for your support.

icequeen, you are always a comfort. I hadn't thought about seeing a psychiatrist. That is a good idea--even if I decide not to take medicine. I'm going to see my PCP in a week, so that will be a good time to bring it up. Thanks for helping me see the situation in a new light.

[icequeen]

Mar 20, 2015 23:18:45 GMT -5 URMySunshine77 said:

yoshijo28 and @giamia923, thank you for your support.

icequeen, you are always a comfort. I hadn't thought about seeing a psychiatrist. That is a good idea--even if I decide not to take medicine. I'm going to see my PCP in a week, so that will be a good time to bring it up. Thanks for helping me see the situation in a new light.

Of course! That would be great if you could mention it. Just so you can get some reassurance!

[Deleted]

I think i'm more of a picker than I want to admit. The more my face breaks out, the more I pick. I have really sensitive skin and the weirdest things will make me start itching. (I used to break out in hives when my officemate would spray perfume while I was out of the room.)
The only thing that seems to help me is making sure I moisturize. Otherwise, H usually has to tell me to stop touching my face and/or itching my scalp.

ETA: Oh crap, I almost forgot to say hi. Welcome to the board. It's nice to have you here.

[flcl]

Hi URMySunshine77 and welcome
I hate to admit it but I'm a skin picker. It took awhile before I realized what I was doing or that it was a problem since I very rarely did it in public. Like you, the picking is always worse the more anxious I am. I was/am both a conscious and unconscious picker. Conscious: I would disappear into the bathroom just so I could look at all the pores on my face and "clean" them out. I would squeeze and squeeze, leaving my face red, sometimes bleeding and unfortunately scarred. Unconscious: I would pick the dry skin on my hands and feet while watching TV... again, till they would bleed and scar. Besides working with my therapist on my anxiety and I had to be ok with H pointing out what I was doing. I asked H to check on me in the bathroom if I ever spent more than 5 mins in there. I also asked H to place his hands on mine if he ever saw me picking while we were watching TV. I've been trying to take good care of my skin as that really helps minimize the picking. I've gotten better with my face but the hands and feet still could use some work. Hands are always tough during the winter cause it's just so dry but the feet are hard during the summer since they're always exposed. Like PPs have mentioned, look to see if you can connect with a therapist or a psychiatrist for some support. GL!

[URMySunshine77]

@wallflwr926, Yes, moisturizing is something that I can improve on! I think that my face breaks out more because I don't moisturize.

flcl, I know exactly how you feel, and I definitely understand the conscious and unconscious picking. I think that my picking would reduce if I was using prescription meds. Before DS was born, my face and back were clear due to the dermatologist's help. Thank you so much for your tips.

[Deleted]

I don't have any advice but just wanted to say welcome URMySunshine77!