Newbie

[Judeko]

Hi all, I'm so glad to have found this website...it has boggled my mind that I'm not alone and so many have been dealing with the same problem as I have. I need to tell my story real quick since I have NEVER admitted this to anyone, not even my husband of 9 years although he knows about it to some degree. I have been picking at my sking for 20 years since puberty and was miserable in high school,not ever feeling like i could look at someone in the face. It caused low self-esteem and lack of confidence that have carried on throughout the years. I don't pick at my face as much as i used to although i always have something going on there, but my shoulders, upper arms, and back are my prime target as i can hide those more easily. I see women with bathing suits or sleveless tops or evening gowns and it hurts feeling like that i can never be comfortable in those things. I can't take my toddler to the pool without wearing a tee shirt in the pool...which makes me look like a freak too. Although I am not as bad a picker as i once was, i so want to kick this and stop COMPLETELY! I need to control this part of my life and start healing from the past. Thanks for all your posts and I look forward to support and supporting with you all. Does anyone have a makeup of choice that best hides scars, discoloration, large pores? Would love to know what works for you!

[Stef (Incubabe)]

I use CoverGirl Continuous Wear...for my face. It really doesnt help anywhere else. And it covers just about everything except anything open. Dark spots...gone if you can apply it right. I have used concealer on my arms when going to the doctor so she didnt find out and tell my parents...I used...Revlon...something in a small glass jar. Its a bitch to get off though. It will stay on even if you rub it with sandpaper. But its hard to work with on your face because it gets caked on your fingers quickly and it takes off what you just put on when you try to touch it up...meh. But for my arms it worked great...except for the odd color mismatch but that was minor.

[Penny]

Wow! Are you me? I have been picking for about 20 years myself. I am married and my husband does know about it as of recently. I'm sure he always knew to some extent.

I am new here too. I am also so jealous of people who can just walk out the door in whatever clothes they chose. I also don't pick at my face as much anymore, my current places of choice are arms, legs, butt(yuck!!!), and anyplace I can hide with clothing.

I have two kids, stay at home with them. I have absolutely no time for picking, it makes me perenially late for everything. My three year old has watched me do this her whole life and I don't want her to start, as I saw my mom do it and pick at my dad and sister. My sister does it too - and we probably both know we do - but we have never discussed it.

I have also posted at Saveface.com this week. I feel like I am FINALLY ready to confront this. Two years ago when I was seeing a therapist for postpardum depression, I finally admited to her that I did this picking thing. It was the first time I ever admitted it to anyone. I thought I always wanted to stop. Until she wanted to put together a plan to stop - and I bolted. I never realized what it did for me and how I actually enjoyed it! I hate that! Now, two years later, I think I am ready. So I will be posting, discussing and generally putting myself out there.

Hope to see you around! We are all in the same boat here. No one judges. Hang in there.

[Judeko]

Thanks for your reply Penny. I guess we will prove that your never too old to change your ways
I have four children and like you definately don't have the time to suffer from this. I'll have my day planned out, and then waste an hour in the bathroom picking and then can't show myself in public for the day. I too learned this behavior from my mom, she isn't chronic, just showed me how to squeeze pimples. I've vowed to hide this from my kids, but of course...that's impossible so I need to just QUIT IT! My sister has certain spots she works on but not like me.
I'm also semi-obsessive about cleanliness and order which in a house with 4 children is laughable, so I struggle with stress related to that. Husband says to let it go, that it doesn't matter, but it does to me.
We can kick this, we just need to keep at it.