Post by Ingrid on Aug 29, 2004 6:24:24 GMT -5
Dear all,
I only discovered this material and the knowledge of my ‘affliction’ two days ago. You can’t imagine the relief!! Simply knowing there are others out there going through EXACTLY the same thing!! I actually have a named compulsive disorder – hooray! Heh, it sounds strange putting it this way, but after years and years living with this self-loathing, shame and confusion “what the hell is wrong with me and why can’t I control myself like others!?” I’m glad to know I’m not the disgrace I had grown to see myself as being. Anyhow, this is the section for tips on overcoming so I hope to make some sort of a helpful contribution (just wanted to share my happiness in having found you all first).
I’m not sure how many times it’s been mentioned before but for me Gloves! GLOVES! WEAR THEM!!! A while back I worked in an office during winter with a really lousy air con. The cold gave me a good xcuse to try and save my face because I got to wear my gloves. I did get surprised glances but I would respond cheerfully “Yes, I’m one of those really cold blooded people… and working at a computer makes it ten times worse”. No need to tell you – the result was well worth it ;D
That was quite a while ago
– relapsed since, but when I stumbled on this site I again made a firm resolution to succeed. I went out and got a pair of thin white cotton ones in the supermarket - haven’t taken them off for 2 days and the improvement is incredible!! Ok, can’t get away with wearing them in public because people will start throwing coins at me expecting me to climb an imaginary rope 
… but they are perfect for reading or watching TV… or even walking past a mirror. Highly recommend!!
The other method is swimming at the pool or beach – although a bit bothersome. I had a very small 25m local swimming pool which was only frequented by elderly citizens or small kids having classes…so I didn’t feel too self conscious (lets just say after I started waxing my legs in my early teens I’d never worn a skirt since). But I’d swim for an hour or so and the chlorine would just dry out all the self inflicted blemishes and helped me leave my face and legs for a while.
Well, I thinks that’s quite a post-full for now…
Best of Luck!
xoxo
I only discovered this material and the knowledge of my ‘affliction’ two days ago. You can’t imagine the relief!! Simply knowing there are others out there going through EXACTLY the same thing!! I actually have a named compulsive disorder – hooray! Heh, it sounds strange putting it this way, but after years and years living with this self-loathing, shame and confusion “what the hell is wrong with me and why can’t I control myself like others!?” I’m glad to know I’m not the disgrace I had grown to see myself as being. Anyhow, this is the section for tips on overcoming so I hope to make some sort of a helpful contribution (just wanted to share my happiness in having found you all first).
I’m not sure how many times it’s been mentioned before but for me Gloves! GLOVES! WEAR THEM!!! A while back I worked in an office during winter with a really lousy air con. The cold gave me a good xcuse to try and save my face because I got to wear my gloves. I did get surprised glances but I would respond cheerfully “Yes, I’m one of those really cold blooded people… and working at a computer makes it ten times worse”. No need to tell you – the result was well worth it ;D
That was quite a while ago
– relapsed since, but when I stumbled on this site I again made a firm resolution to succeed. I went out and got a pair of thin white cotton ones in the supermarket - haven’t taken them off for 2 days and the improvement is incredible!! Ok, can’t get away with wearing them in public because people will start throwing coins at me expecting me to climb an imaginary rope 
… but they are perfect for reading or watching TV… or even walking past a mirror. Highly recommend!!The other method is swimming at the pool or beach – although a bit bothersome. I had a very small 25m local swimming pool which was only frequented by elderly citizens or small kids having classes…so I didn’t feel too self conscious (lets just say after I started waxing my legs in my early teens I’d never worn a skirt since). But I’d swim for an hour or so and the chlorine would just dry out all the self inflicted blemishes and helped me leave my face and legs for a while.
Well, I thinks that’s quite a post-full for now…
Best of Luck!
xoxo