Has anyone ever?

[Simby]

Me too, I hate making excuses b/c of picking. It makes me mad at myself sometimes b/c I think if I didn't have this stupid problem I could just go do normal things....like swimming in the summer time. Who doesn't go swimming in the summertime? Seriously.

[Kameko]

I've never missed any appointment because I've been preoccupied in front of a mirror.. I have, however, found myself sitting in front of a mirror and having absolutely no idea how long I'd been there.. Kind of a scary hint that this is no joking matter..
Also, I've canceled plans with friends before because my face is so mutilated that even concealer can't cover it.. :/

[quie]

Sounds like maybe you were experiencing a little extra anxiety about going to your father's funeral. If the picking relieves the anxiety for you, it's no wonder you couldn't leave the mirror. And yeah, I've been made late once or twice.

Sammy25 said:

Has anybody ever missed an important event or risked losing a job because they can't leave the mirror? This has happened to me many times. I was late to my own Father's Funeral because I couldn't leave the mirror. Crazy

[dirtylilsecret]

Hey! ok so I'm new but I really wanted to get in on this convo because I know exactly what you're going through. I too have jeopardized jobs, relationships, and missed many great social events simply because I could not get away from the mirror. Lately though. one thing that has occurred to me is that sometimes if I am anxious about work or nervous about meeting new people or really just deep down don't wanna go to something....I think that I'll start picking purely as a way to get out of these things. I mean this is all completely subconscious because I am actually an extremely social person and extrovert. I guess the reason I'm telling you this is just to say to pay attention to the times when you are stuck in front of the mirror and make sure that you're face isn't the only reason you're stuck there. If it's really that you're anxious about something or just don't want to go re-evaluate your options instead of using your face as a way out. but then again...who knows this could just be me, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Oh and just to let you know...I think that you are very brave for posting what you did. I know it made me feel better about not being the only one with this problem, and I'm sure that it has helped many others as well.
thanks.

[cody]

hello,im 15 and have started picking since my parents were divorcing and abusing alchohol ect and for awhile i was doing better cuz school,but then i started getting nervous and sweaty and crud and help?

[little sister]

My picking really seriously affects my social life. A few weeks ago I drove to the next town over to grocery shop so I wouldn't see anyone I knew in our store. I have had my husband take my daughter to her checkup because my face looks too bad. When I do see people I know, I can't look them in the eye or I pick up my daugter and try to hide behind her while talking. We once drove all the way to a party and all the way home because I touched my chin in the car and it started bleeding and there was no way I could go like that. When I was little I picked all the scabs off of my skinned knees. NOw that I don't have skinned knees I zero in on the clogged up pores and pimples on my chin and forehead. If my skin is clear, than I don't pick and I feel so so so much happier and FREE! When i pick i have been known to hide behind the sofa when the doorbell rings. All i can imagine is that other people must think i am disgusting or diseased. my mother has said it gives her a pain in her stomache just to look at it (that really makes me feel better) and my husband says it's not that noticeable (which I totally do not believe of course). I can't believe there are so many people w/ this problem.