Could CSP be genetic?

[dontfencemein]

I have been picking as long as I can remember scabs, mosquito bites, anything that felt bumpy under my fingers. (sick thought- but I used to like it when my cat would scratch me becuase those long tears would make the neatest scabs to pull up- almost like a zipper)

My mom had mentioned that she picked when she was in school and said something about my dad (deceased) picking bad at his face as well. Both of them were "blessed" with large pored and oily acne proned skin (the deep seeded kind). Yea. Then she mentioned quite some time later that my paternal grandfather picked big sores all over his arms.

We have known for a long time that my grandfather and his three children (one of them my dad) were lithium deficient.

I know that lithium deficiency is genetically passed down, could CSP or SISP be linked or part of lithium imbalance? Has anyone else had other members that were CSP or lithium imbalanced? Anyone ever hear of a link between the two?

[sunshinefunk]

My first memories of picking were watching my mom pick. She didn't do it often and her skin is good, but I remember her in front of the magnifiying mirror. I asked what she was doing and she showed me. Ever since then I liked watching stuff come out of my pores. I must have been 10 or so. I think there is a link, but did I learn from watching or is it internal? Who knows? Never heard of lithium, but that's interesting.
-sun-

[hoppe]

I am sure CSP is at least partially genetic. My mother is a serious picker. But I did not live with her and did not see her very often throughout my childhood. This kind of convinces me that I inherited it and it was not just 'learned' behaviour.

I don't think there is CSP gene - but a predisposition of some form that increases your chances to develop one of several related disorders such as OCD, BDD, CSP, Trichotillomania, Anxiety disorders etc. . The circumstances might affect which one of them you end up getting.

I don't know about lithium though. Never heard of a link there.

hoppe

[shihui]

yea..i think it's genetic too. i've watched my mum pick since young. i've never questioned her when i was young because i felt that it was natural even though i didnt know what she was doing exactly. i thought it was normal to do that. when i grew older i began to pick myself. but i did not link what i was doing to what i saw my mother do when i was young. i didn't really realise since i was quite ignorant then. since i didn't even realise that i had learnt the habit from her, i do not think that my habit was caused by just seeing her pick. i feel that it is more of the genetics, and partly influence. my brother does pick too, but his condition is seriously less serious. the problem doesn't really exist for him, but his still a minor-case picker.

i've got no idea abt the lithium theory too. but if taking lithium supplements [if there's any] will help stop this habit, i'm seriously going to do that.

[Froglet]

My mum actually showed me how to pick my first spot! I still remember... it was my first school disco and I had my first proper spot...smack bang on my nose!
I always remember her picking her scalp, chewing her gums and walking around with a spot of blood on her chin or someplace coz she'd been scratching. Its never been a problem for her like it has for me, but she could certianly relate when I told her what I do. Whether my picking is learned or genetic though...

[Krib]

That's an interesting idea, genetic CSP. None of my family showed picking tendencies until about 2 years ago. My mum developed a scaly patch of skin on her scalp and keeps picking and scratching it- my dad and (ironically!) me tell her to stop it, and she says it's an automatic thing, especially when she's worried. So maybe it is related!!? I'm gonna ask her about it next time I talk to her, and tell her about my picking being a proper condition- I'd like her to know about it now and see what she thinks.

And yeh, I remember my mum showing me how to squeeze my first huge, nose-spot too! And I remember the relief I felt after it was done- think that must have been it then, the beginning of the slippery slope

[pookadot]

My mum or dad have never suffered from CSP but my dad used to be a complusive gambler and my mum used to worry abouts her looks as a teen and still does to today and can't leave the house without makeup so i guess there is something genetic passed on to me.

I also rember the first time i picked i had a white head on my nose and asked my mum what the hell it was and she said something like ''oh it's nothing just squeeze it a little'' bad,bad,bad mistake.

[celine]

I'm the only one in my immediate family who picks, but my mom used to pick the skin off around her nails, and my dad use to pull out little tuffs of hair out. Both behaviours may be related. I recently discovered that my cousin picks as well and has been seeing a counsellor about it... that's what really got me thinking about the genetic link.