Comfort and Support for Skin Picking: Deep Dive into Understanding and Managing Dermatillomania
What is Skin Picking?
Skin picking, clinically known as dermatillomania, compulsive skin picking (CSP) is a condition where individuals compulsively pick at their skin, often resulting in skin damage. It’s more common than you might think, and you’re not alone in facing this challenge. We’d love to hear from you about your own experience.
You’re in great company: We understanding Dermatillomania from the inside – OUT.
Many wonderful people struggle with compulsive skin picking. It’s important to remember that it doesn’t define who you are. Seeking support is a positive step towards managing and overcoming dermatillomania.
Self-Compassion for Skin Pickers
Be kind to yourself. Healing is a process and the condition is compulsive. This means that etbacks are part of the process. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and forgive yourself for any slips. You’re human, and nature doesn’t produce perfect beings. Everyone has their own thing they wish they didn’t do, and a condition doesn’t define you. You might feel the compulsion to pick yourself apart, but you don’t have to do it. Kerri talks about how she manages her skin picking, so you can learn to do the same.
Thoughts on Overcoming Skin Picking
Battling with willpower is not weakness, and neither is asking for help. Seeking help is actually a meteoric sign of strength. By contacting us, you’re taking the right steps towards better mental and physical health. Stay positive, be open about your condition and know that you are worthy of compassion and understanding.
If you need immediate help or feel overwhelmed, please reach out. Kerri’s a great coach and she’s here to help smooth you out! You don’t ever need to feel isolated; we understand and have pick free people on hand to help.
Kerri – Our stop skin picking coach’s story
I first started to pick my skin around the age of 12. It began with my upper back then gradually increased to other places on my body. I found it soothed my anxiety it brought me great comfort in the moment
I would often obsess in front of the mirror over my skin, searching for imperfections to ‘fix’. The more anxious I was, the more I picked. I struggled to stop once I started
When I was 16 my parents separated. The picking worsened and started to become noticeable to my peers in school. I was often questioned about scabs, particularly on my face and along my jawline. I tried to cover it with make up but it was a struggle and didn’t work most of the time.
I didn’t see the picking as an issue, besides the shame and embarrassment I would feel when my face would bleed. I didn’t think it was possible that I could stop, or even that it was a big enough problem to get help with. It was never something my Dr saw as an issue
I continued to pick for the next 15 years. I always felt like it was a bit of a dirty secret. Sometimes it was conscious, sometimes it was unconscious. I picked at home, at work, in front of friends, anywhere if I felt the need to.
Then I met Neo and I could finally put a name to my disorder. I used to pick several times a day and now I rarely touch my skin. I truly believe knowledge is power, I’ve learned so much and have control over these negative behaviours. I feel so empowered and like I have more of my life back.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to help other people stop picking and to dedicate my time to healing rather than picking. If you’re struggling, don’t wait – make an appointment and let me help YOU make similar adjustments so that your life feels more fulfilled.
Why Do People Pick Their Skin?
There are many reasons a person might pick their skin. Skin irritation and over-scratching is probably the main one. Just because you pick at a patch of skin now and again, you may not regard it as a problem. Compulsive skin picking, on the other hand, is often a genetic response to stress, anxiety, or boredom. You will read on many websites that understanding the triggers is important. In our view, it is more important to find healthier coping mechanisms. Sometimes skin picking may be linked to other conditions like OCD and ADHD.
Steps to Manage Skin Picking (Dermatillomania)
- Identify Triggers: Keep a diary to identify when you pick. Focus less on why you pick and more on how to stop. Understanding triggers can help you to find alternative actions, but should not become an obsession in itself.
- Create Barriers: Use band-aids, surgical tape, bandages, gloves, wrist weights or fidget toys to keep your hands busy and away from patches of skin.
- Release Perfectionism: Remind yourself that nature doesn’t make perfect skin and that lumps and bumps are normal and often temporary. Trust your skin to heal in its own time.
- Hypnotherapy is an immensely powerful tool for stopping skin picking. Our Clarity hypnotherapy recording is very effective.
- Relaxation Practices: Techniques like guided meditation, tai-chi and deep breathing can reduce stress and the urge to pick.
- Skin Care Routine: Seeing a dermatologist to get tailor-madeskin care can reduce imperfections that might trigger picking. Remove make-up meticulously.
- Professional Help: Just the relief of talking to someone who knows what it’s like to pick themselves apart, can be the lifeline you’ve longed for. Don’t hesitate to Make an appointment.