Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Does anyone else have a problem with compulsive skin picking/pinching/squeezing, etc? This sounds gross, but for years I haven't been able to stop pinching any little bump on my body that looks like it could have pus in it. Usually this is either acne on my face, or small bumps I get on my legs called folliculitis - inflamed hair follicles that result in little pustules. My legs are covered in scars, and look pretty awful when I wear shorts, and I always have friends and family members reminding me to "stop pinching" but I just can't stop! There is something oddly satisfying about squeezing pus out of something...I know, gross. But I really want to stop, and I don't know how. Does anyone else struggle with this, or have a solution?
I found that when I would get my nails done at a salon (like acrylic nails) I couldnt pick at my scalp because the ends of those fake nails are kind of thick and not great for scatching or picking. Would this maybe help with your issue? I dont get my nails done anymore because I have four kids and no money or time, but it did help.
The only thing that has ever worked for me over the years is to try to keep my reaction to stress on a fairly normal level. I say my reaction to stress, because the stress is always going to be there in one way or another. I find the more stressed I am the more I pick. I have tried to get myself to stop by not allowing myself to stay to long in the bathroom when I am alone and the picking gets out of control, but that doesn't always work. Meds have never really helped either. CBT was a joke for me but may provide you with some relief.
My picking has been so pronounced at times that one of my dogs a few years back would actually come over to me to stop me from picking. He was a good dog.
It's a tough one. I have tried stop words, my ex-wife would try to help me, CBT and meds. It comes and goes like the tides in my life.
Good luck.
i cant provide any solution im afraid....i can only identify.....Mine used to be focused on and around my fingernails...
Then due to ill health i couldnt walk for several months...and that was
about 5 years ago......and from that time till now i have obsessively picked my head..there are times when it hurts to put my head on the pillow at night....
Thanks..ardahk...i may try the nails....
I also suffer from trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) which is another real pain in the butt. And everytime I feel like I am doing really well at not doing one thing I notice that I am doing really badly at not doing the other.
I've not been diagnosed with OCD but I have read that these impulse control habits (skin picking/ skin biting/ nail biting/ hair pulling/eating) are all closely related to OCD.
Just know you're not alone, for 23years I thought I was the only one who did these things and then I found daily strength and realised I'm definetly not alone.
I tried hypnotherapy.. It's helped (so far) with the trich but hasn't looked at the chewing. I think it's worth a try as it's brought at least one of my habits under control the downside is it's expensive.