new here..picker, cutter

[KateyKat]

Hello everyone. This is all new to me here. Thought this was all just lumped together with my depression. But a friend suggested I look into this and so here I am. Started when I was about 12...was in the hospital for depression..wanted to harm myself...so I went at myself with my fingernails and have been stuck in this ever since.....I am 26 years old..live in Wisconsin. Summer is coming and I am not at all happy about it. I have so many scars on my arms and legs. Starts when I cut or have bad acne but then once I have a scab I just pick and pick and pick. Once I get one taken care of I have to find another. Also rip off toenails and rip off skin off the bottom of my feet.

It does provide stress relief until I snap out of it...then I get depressed..then to cope with depression I kind of go into a trance and I pick. Round and round I go.

ok well thats my story. Hopefully I am not that crazy

[Dreamer]

I understand your story, as I'm sure we all do. I felt as though I was imperfect and the only way to fix it was to harm myself in some way, mainly picking, though I've attempted cutting and bulimia. This site was so important in my seeking help. I go to a pyschologist now who specializes in hypnotherapy, which has worked wonders for me. I wholeheartedly sugget it to anyone! It can be expensive, but my insurance (which sucks and covers nootttthing) actually covers most of it. The reason it has worked is because it brings your unconscious mind out to find out why you pick, etc. and to offer solutions to stop the harmful behaviours. My whole body image has changed, and I actually feel content with my skin and the way I look. I really encourage you to try; I think you could benefit from it.

[lorieann75]

Hi Katey I'm new here also, and my "intro" thread I think is now on page two of the forum, if you'd like to read it. The basics- I'm 29 yrs old, been picking since age 13 or so. I also have severe depression in addition to OCD-SP specific. I take Zoloft for the depression, but am currently not under treatment for my OCD due to finances and thus it's gotten significantly worse. A problem I intend to correct as soon as I can afford to.

I am also triggered by things such as acne (which I have little of, but try telling my OCD brain that! lol) scars, moles, even the tiniest abnormality or imagined "blemish". Anyway, welcome- and happy to meet you

[lauryn]

i just recently joined acne.org for some additional support