Oh and another one

[meindc]

I keep an electronic game of Yahtzee in the bathroom. When I'm waiting for the shower to warm up or (not to gross you out) am sitting on the toilet - I play a round or two - keeps my hands busy. You can get these electronic games for around $10 at Walmart or Target.

I find that these two times can be critical to whether or not I pick my skin.

[anonymousartist]

oh no, I would really spend all day in the bathroom if it had video games!!!!

That is a pretty cool method.

[soxgirl]

hey i like that--thats really creative about the yahtzee in the bathroom:) thanks for the tip!

[struggling to Stop]

hi There,

My two weakest moments in the day are, also, when I am sitting on the toilet, or when I lie down to sleep. When my eye sees a mark or blemish on my leg, I want to scratch it off, to get rid off it, but this of course makes it worse. I have tried(shaving my legs, or plucking my leg hairs one by one with a tweezer), just to distract me from scratching. I have even tried knitting. And it did work, for a while, but now I am back to my old habits. Like, you all say, it is just the first one, and then you can't stop. I recently decided to call the action, that my hand does,( to find another uneven little lump on my skin ) - the seeking phase. Coos, basically the hand just keeps looking for something to scratch, and its kinda like your mind day dreams about something, and your hand brings you comfort of some kind. I don't know why. Sometimes I even try to hold my hands together, but that doesn't work. Has anyone every tried to Bandage up an arm or a leg, so that as not to scratch it. I am getting pretty desperate, because I wake up in the night picking my skin. This unfortunately does affect my relationship with my partner and this worries me. I am sorry if I have said too much, but I have been doing this picking for 20 years (off and on)

[mice82]

You didn't say too much. I completely relate to you. If i don't have any prominent pimples or bumps, i search for anything, like dry skin (my cuticles). And it too bothers my partner, who doesn't understand it..
I just recently realized that my picking was more than just an annoying habit. I had no idea there were other people out there who did this obsessively. I feel better about it, however, I'm worried i'll never shake this. I don't just pick in private. I've caught myself doing it in class (in front of everyone), and to the point where i bleed. Its completely gross. Anyway, i am relieved to have the support of this site. I hope it will help.

[knitter]

I too have tried alot of things ranging from putting bandaids on each finger to chopping each fingernail severely short so it's too painful to pick.
I mostly pick my scalp, face and upper back/neck. There is hope for us to stop!
Knitter
P.S I knit to keep my hands busy at night time and when I am at the computer I try to keep one hand on the mouse and the other hand on the edge of my shirt or pants.

[Holly]

I keep one hand on the mouse and my other hand in a fist with the thumb inside.

I read in the bathroom... lol
In fact I sometimes call it the 'library'.
When we buy a new magazine, it goes in the bathroom for reading material.

[kimj]

Struggling to stop:
I also have this "seeking phase" you were talking about, and I also pluck my leg hairs out sometimes. I find that to stop the seeking phase it helps me to wear knee-high socks and pants to bed.

I have had this picking problem for years, but this very message is the first time I have admitted it to another person. I just joined this group to come to terms with this problem, and it helps to hear from others.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories.