Teresa =)
Full Member
"What does not kill me makes me stronger"
Posts: 109
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Post by Teresa =) on Oct 5, 2003 23:07:14 GMT -5
hello to all new members!!!! please be glad to join this very swett group!!! anyway u can joins heather zt what is a pact of not picking for a month1 and we are doing all toghether so lets start!!! anyway glad to know u  kisses Teresa  |
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Post by Elsie on Oct 6, 2003 18:55:37 GMT -5
Yes, hi to all the new members. I leave for 10 days to help with a hurricane relief team, and come back to lots of new people. Hooray! And everwho it was (can't remember now) that said they didn't think there were very many older people on this site, I am one of them. 38 and been picking for probably about 20 years!  But age doesn't matter, except maybe as an example of how long skin picking really can go on, and as an incentive for younger people to quit. So take care everyone, and I'll look forward to reading your posts. Elsie |
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Post by Amy on Oct 10, 2003 16:59:17 GMT -5
This is my first time to this site, and I too am trying to quit after about 14 years of picking. I have just recently told my Husband, who thinks it is possible to just stop. I have not been able to do that, and don't even think it is possible at this time. So he is quiting caffine to show me how easy it is to quit something. (He quit drugs, drinking and smoking also. I don't feel I am strong enough to just quit picking) I see people are going for a month with out picking? I try to stop, and can't go for more than one day. I see so many similarities but no cures.
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Judeko
New Member
I'll get you, you wascally whitehead!
Posts: 6
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Post by Judeko on Oct 10, 2003 19:36:57 GMT -5
Welcome Amy
I too have been trying unsuccessfully to quit for a while,about 20 years (that is before I found this support site).
I didn't think I'd ever be able to quit but have been making progress now knowing that so many others are succeeding and are here to support and advise me.
My husband is the same way, he has the will-power to quit anything immediately that he puts his mind to. That's commendable but maybe not realistic for you or me.
We are here for you and will help you in any way that we can...you can heal here!
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Post by Canuck on Oct 11, 2003 9:16:07 GMT -5
Just trying to be half as nice as Teresa and say hello to all of the newbies, too! Welcome to the board, welcome to our family! I hope that you all visit often, and find the support and the sense of community that I've found here. This board can do a lot of a person. Trust me. |
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Post by Lady Sarah on Oct 19, 2003 1:52:58 GMT -5
Hi, I'm Sarah, and all I can say is I am seriously messed up. I've got severe depression and anxiety, which has been diagnosed in the last year, but I've always been a picker. It's my way of relieving stress. And right now things are VERY stressful. I've been using drugs (persciption drugs) as a way out of reality, but I've been trying to stop and it seems I've turned to some pretty serious picking now. My face is all scarred up and my back is always bleeding, and my arms are sore and covered with bruises. I'm just afraid that if try and eliminate the picking, my stress will come back in another form and I'll become suicidal again.  This is just a really tough time for me, and it looks like I've found a nice support group. |
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Post by Canuck on Oct 19, 2003 17:07:59 GMT -5
I'm just afraid that if try and eliminate the picking, my stress will come back in another form and I'll become suicidal again. This is just a really tough time for me, and it looks like I've found a nice support group. Yes, you've found a wonderful support group, Lady Sarah. A good way to help yourself stop picking while not bottling up all of that stress is to find another avenue for it. You could take up running or kickboxing or writing or cooking or... anything in the world that you think can help to relieve your stress. Stress relief doesn't have to be physically or mentally scarring, which is what a lot of us seem to forget around here. Welcome to our group! |
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Post by phmichelle on Oct 21, 2003 17:10:44 GMT -5
Hi there, I've been picking since I was about 14, I'm 27 now. I'm also an alcoholic in recovery for about 2.5 years. My picking has gotten a lot worse since I got sober. I didn't know there were so many people out there with my story. I've tried everything from hypnosis to removing mirrors, therapy, reward systems. You name it, I've tried it. I'm really interested in working a twelve step program around this problem because it's worked for me in other areas. Last night I came to a seriously emotional surrender and cried for a long time. It's so frustrating to know how much I have overcome, but just can't quit picking! I need to know that there is someone out there who has some amount of time not picking and that it can be done. For me it's like the first drink concept in AA. Once I pick one pimple, it's all over and there I am for hours. I'm constantly in a cycle of denial (feeling like I'm cured because I haven't picked for a few days) and then guilt, shame, etc. because my face looks like hamburger. It's such a weird problem, nobody understands! HELP. I'd appreciate any feed back I can get, e-mail me if you want to. I need a support group. Thanx
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Amy
New Member
Posts: 13
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Post by Amy on Oct 23, 2003 12:50:01 GMT -5
Phmichelle,
I am fairly new to this site as well. I found it in a desperate attempt to quit, as everything else I have tried in the last year has not worked. I have picked for 14 years now, and didn't want to quit until about three years ago. Since I found this group, I have gone three days with NO picks, and then very few after that. (A pimple here and there that pops up) When I first started, I got discouraged, because I didn't see anyone who has gone for a year or more without picking, and didn't see any pick free future for me. But my husband told me he was in NA when he was younger, and once he was drug and alcohol free, he quit going to NA, because he got busy trying to get his life back in order. So maybe they are out there, but are just to busy to post. I have read a few posts where there have been around 35 days or more pick free. There is hope, and the most important thing is wanting to better yourself, and to have patience. This is a great group, and it is nice to read others experiences, as they are most likely to be similar to our own.
Take care,
Amy
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Post by simon3334 on Oct 24, 2003 23:48:03 GMT -5
Hi - I am new to the site - I have been reading the messages on her and still cannot believe how much I relate to everyone. I have been picking for about 20 years and I feel pretty hopless about stopping. I read the messages about ZT, and thought I would try it. It worked for a few days, but then I was not diligent enough in doing the things that help me to avoid it, and before I knew it I was back at it again. The sad thing is that my skin actually looks nice when I leave it alone, I just have so much anxiety (about EVERYTHING) that I feel some sort of weird relief from it. This site has really helped me - so good to know I am not alone - and I can start again with the zero tolerance.
Thanks!
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Post by phmichelle on Oct 25, 2003 0:04:39 GMT -5
Simon3334, I know what you mean. My skin actually looks pretty decent when I don't pick either. I'm the one that goes and screws it all up. It's really nice to know that we are not alone. All these years I thought I was the only one. Glad you're here.
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Post by Candy on Oct 26, 2003 4:28:19 GMT -5
I also have a problem with picking at my face. I picked at it for hours and now my face is a total mess. What's worse is that I have to go to work on Monday night. Does anyone know what will take the red out of my face?  |
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Post by simon3334 on Oct 26, 2003 17:02:36 GMT -5
I feel so much better when I read the messages on this board. By paying attention to when I want to pick, I am realizing some things that trigger it - like my anxiety. I am trying to write a paper for school, don't know what the hell I am doing, and just want to go hide in the bathroom and pick my face or sleep. I am having trouble focusing - and I do not want to feel what keeps creeping up on me, which is alot of sadness - my mom died almost a year ago and with the anniversary of that coming up I am getting to feel like hiding out from my life - in the bathroom, picking at my face and back and chest, of course. Today has been a pretty good day - I have not picked (much) - have been able to walk away when I start, and now if I could only get this stupid paper done... anyways, thanks to everyone who participates in this board - it is a great relief.
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Post by Lady Sarah on Oct 28, 2003 0:35:31 GMT -5
*sigh* Well the very night that I introduced myself to you all everything hit the fan in my life.  I ended up being committed for a few days in the hospital because of my stupid actions. However there's been some good things that have come out of this. I've learned some really good coping skills that I think would help you all here too For example, everytime you have the urge to pick, just go and squeeze an icecube. It REALLY helps relieve the stress. Or distract yourself with something else... when you lean forward to start examing yourself in the mirror focus on your hair or eyes, get really indepth with it, completely ignore your skin. It helps |
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But age doesn't matter, except maybe as an example of how long skin picking really can go on, and as an incentive for younger people to quit.
