i feel like i graduated!

[angelkiss]

i just had my last therapy session today! :-) i feel like i graduated from high school all over again! my therapist and i both felt i had accomplished what i wanted to in therapy--getting the picking under control. i haven't picked in weeks! i still have urges, but they are MUCH less severe and i can control them. my depression is gone, i have come out of my social cocoon, and i feel a million times better about myself. i have learned how to communicate with people, deal with my emotions, and understand myself and my needs.

i just wanted to share the great news with people who understand. :-) Thank you for ALL your support!!!!!! I will still be posting, of course...i absolutely love you guys :-) and also, when you have skin picking, you're never really "cured," per say. you always have to avoid the temptation and not let yourself fall back into old patterns.

nonetheless, i am so happy and excited! i hope those of you that are in therapy are having an equally eye-opening experience.

[Heather]

Hey Angelkiss,
I am so happy for you! Amazing! Would you mind sharing anything that was particularly helpful for you? What sort of things did you talk about in therapy?
Always looking for new answers...
-H

[pickles]

Hey angelkiss,
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I know that was a lot of hard work. That's just so awesome to hear that you are doing so well. Keep it up!

pickles

[sanctuary]

Angelkiss,

Wow! When I read the message you wrote, you put a smile on my face. You sound so happy! It must feel great to know you have control over it, instead of it having control over you! You should be very proud of yourself. God Bless! *Sanctuary*

[angelkiss]

sanctuary, thank you so much :-) you guys are so sweet, and pickles, you sound like you are doing so much better too, i'm so happy for you as well :-)

heather, my therapist is a cognitive-behavioral therapist, and the most helpful part of my therapy was cognitive restructuring. it's basically changing the way you think about things. for me, i had to realize that when something happens in my life, the event activates maladaptive beliefs that i already have (for instance, the belief that i must do everything perfectly or else i'm a failure, or the belief that everyone must approve of me or i must please everyone). It is very difficult, but i have started to change those beliefs, and let me tell you, it is the most freeing feeling...not feeling that i have to please everyone all the time...being able to do things that make me happy for a change.

behavioral techniques have helped to reduce the urges. for me, coming up with a concrete strategy for everying "trigger" situation helped...so did keeping a tally sheet and being proactive. i use fist clenching, progressive muscle relaxation, and deep breathing to combat urges. i also keep toys everywhere in the apartment, in my office at work, in my car, and in my backpack for when i'm in class. that way i never feel like i'm all alone in combating the urge when it comes.

these kinds of things have made me hyperaware of the urges, when they come on, what they feel like, how long they will last, etc.

it gets much easier as you go along to work against the picking. the beginning is the toughest, as everyone knows. there are anxiety attacks sometimes, i would cry in my office with the urge to pick. but i always kept thinking, if i get through this, it will be easier next time. i am strong enough to get through this. this won't beat me. this is only an urge, it will pass, it will pass...and it does.

[Teresa =)]

so many great news.... =) a lot of join and always happy to see improve pple!!
take care
Teresa

[Stef (Incubabe)]

Hmm...Ive got to try some of those things.