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Post by Idlesiren on Apr 16, 2005 22:37:02 GMT -5
Does anyone have any ideas for stopping the absent minded/stressed picking on arms back, chest? i don't use a mirror to do it so by the time i realize what i'm doing it's too late!
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Post by anonymousartist on Apr 17, 2005 3:43:15 GMT -5
well it's very hard for me to stop this too, but wearing clothes that cover those areas might help. Unforunately I like to wear tank tops at home.
Also, if you can really concentrate on not doing it absent-mindedly for about thress days you will probably se a remarkable difference. It really helps to stop when you are making progress (that's what's helped me anyway).
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Post by twinkletoes6 on Jun 28, 2005 10:58:45 GMT -5
I have tried a few things at home: buy some thin cotton gloves to wear around the house and to sleep in (you can get them at any drug store). That way, when you start to pick you immediately become aware of it because you can't dig in. If you're a woman, try getting nail tips or acrylic nails. They are pretty dull and make it harder to pick, again bringing your attention to it. My boyfriend is aware of it and is very supportive so sometimes he'll see me doing it and will gently take my hand in his.
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Post by bluegem on Jul 18, 2005 21:39:51 GMT -5
For a little while I took to wrapping my upper arms up in bandages while I was home alone. Sort of extreme, but it worked for me. I also try to wear long sleeved shirts/jumpers that are hard to pull up over the elbow. I find that if I wear loose clothes, I tend to just push the sleeves up. I really need to work on strategies for certain places - I pick my arms most on the train, doing theory at college, watching TV and sitting on the computer. Maybe try and figure out when you do it the most so that you can implement strategies that are suited to your situations. Awareness is the first step to fixing any of this problem.
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Post by Mmdr on Jul 29, 2005 9:04:47 GMT -5
I have the same problem. What I do is wear both thin cotton gloves while I'm at home and fitted long sleeved shirts or a comfortable zip-up sweater, because if I wear looser shirts or tank tops, I easily start picking. I've also found getting fake acrylic nails really helps with unconscious picking (more so for my face picking though) because the long, thicker tip of the nail reminds me of what I'm doing.
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Post by newandbetterme on Jul 30, 2005 23:09:45 GMT -5
one way is to try to pay attention
try to pay attention to when, why..you are doing the picking...then catch yourself..
but i'm sure u've heard this before...
if not..try it...
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Post by LiViNgDeAdGiRl on Aug 30, 2005 22:50:58 GMT -5
I cant count how many times ive done this...its like you zone out on it and cant stop yourself and you keep telling yourself , "stop! look what you are doing!" but you cant...and yeah...Ill do this without a mirror too...instead of picking...try slather on lotion, wear clothes that cover your body (out of sight, out of mind basically) Ive never tried the gloves thing...but that is something else you might wanna try, anything to keep your mind occupied with something other than the hypnotic, tempting picking sessions. Best of luck and will power to you hun! *hugs*
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Post by Sunny on Sept 17, 2005 0:52:36 GMT -5
Today I learned that others do this too.Thank you-all of you-for the suggestions on stopping this compulsion that is ruining my life.I am bi-Polar I know-but must have some kind of ocd thing too.EVERYDAY I say I wont pick-but it is getting worse.The scars are collecting on my arms and are so embarrasing.Peoples eyes go to my arms while I'm talking-and the subject changes to the wounds and how i got them. I am now praying for all of us to be able to stop this crazy behavior.
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Post by b e on Feb 23, 2006 22:49:16 GMT -5
i pick at my arms constantly, in a way that i have little scabs or scars over them. i also pick at my back and chest. for a while now i have noticed little obsessive tendencies but my parents said i was just being dramatic. i never knew this was a real disorder, and reading all of your suggestions has made me feel a little more hopeful that i can stop. thank you so much.
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Post by trance1861 on Feb 25, 2006 23:46:31 GMT -5
Today I learned that others do this too.Thank you-all of you-for the suggestions on stopping this compulsion that is ruining my life.I am bi-Polar I know-but must have some kind of ocd thing too.EVERYDAY I say I wont pick-but it is getting worse.The scars are collecting on my arms and are so embarrasing.Peoples eyes go to my arms while I'm talking-and the subject changes to the wounds and how i got them. I am now praying for all of us to be able to stop this crazy behavior. I used to do that to and I remember having people stare at my arms and ask "what happened to you?" It was horrible. I stopped picked my arms... probably like 2 yrs ago. I honestly don't know how I stopped picking my arms (I still have pickin issues with my face and chest), I think it was because I stopped wearing tank tops because I hated how my arms looked and by not wearing tang tops, my arms stayed covered and by not seeing them I would not pick. Whatever the case may be, the scars on my arms have healed up very well. So I guess that's why I am posting, to tell you that your scars will heal. So chin up! |
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Post by Frog on Feb 26, 2006 9:00:28 GMT -5
Maybe we should all go out with no make up and strappy tops and confront our fears! Whos with me...... anyone.....hello?  Thats actually what my doctor suggested, being able to hide my picking makes me more likely to continue, but its easier said than done. Would he walk down the street naked? Because thats how I would feel with no make up! Its a vicious cycle I guess. What really helps me to not pick is when im in a really positive mood. Unfortunatly, I have a negative pessimistic side that often gets me down. I was thinking of buying a self help book about positive thinking though, as I think it would really help not to listen to that negative voice telling you to pick. L |
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Post by anonymousartist on Feb 26, 2006 19:50:47 GMT -5
I go out without make-up a lot, and less sleaves, but I was very conscious about that for a while. I often go to the grocery store or whatever looking like crap and I find it liberating. Why should these people care what I look like? There's people all over the place who I don't think look good but I don't judge them.
I also find the beach to be an excellent place. There's people, but most likely no one will care because no one knows anyone (well, in tourist areas). And there's usually some people who look flat out hideous but they go anyway. Why shouldn't I?
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Post by DF on Apr 26, 2006 22:31:34 GMT -5
Hey everyone. I never thought to look this up before, but I am not alone...wow. Sometimes it was like it was me typing your messages... it all sounds so familiar.  But it's nice to know there are others. Today I was trying to stop myself-been home sick for two days and yesterday I was bored and did a real job on my arms and face. I used to pick at my back a few years ago, but I managed to stop that somehow. Actually I think I purposely moved on to my arms to distract myself from my back, errr... not the best solution! I am so afraid I'll never heal. Going on a vacation this summer, and along with my weight, I worry about the condition of my skin and how I'll ever enjoy the beach. I just hope a quick tan will help conceal the damage I have done. I tan very dark, and in the past it has even improved my skin enough for me to have the confidence to wear tank tops. Something I tried this morning did seem to help. Instead of looking at my arms and face and seeing only scars, cuts, and pimples, I tried to see the skin in between that was flawless.. (not much left, but I could see it!) and same with my face-I realized my skin's not really that bad when I leave it alone. It encouraged me and I stopped. I will try the gloves too. Great advice. And cutting my nails. Good luck to everyone! And thank you for all your comments |
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Post by onedayatatime on May 1, 2006 16:14:52 GMT -5
You have to start making yourself consious of the picking in order to stop. Carry something small with you at all times. For example a penny. Every time you catch yourself picking at your skin take out the object and hold it in the hand that was picking. Continue on with whatever you were doing and keep the object in your hand. You may not be able to break the habit immediately but you will begin to create more awareness to the habit and be able to create a new one.
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Post by Olga on Jan 6, 2007 9:57:51 GMT -5
wow i have just realized a few days ago that this compulsion thats been taking over my life and making me feel shitty about myself is an actual disorder and let me tell you its such relief to know that i'm not alone. i really think getting some proffessional help is a good place to start for me, so i "came out"to my dad and sent him an email about CSP because i was too scared to do it in person but he never replied and never brought it up and i am sort of angry about that cause he had known i was scratching at my skin but he just didnt really reply or anything and now i dont really know how to go about getting help without his support. im considering talking to my school counselorand having her direct me tosomeone, but i dont knowifi'd feel copmfortable revealing basically my "deepest darkest"secret to her. I also cant help wonder if this is related to some other anxiety disorder because i do other compulsive non picking things and often have nervous breakdowns and stuff.any advice on what helped you sort these things out?
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