I pick my skin so badly, i almost lost a leg - born different
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Date: 2023-09-12
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Comments and reviews: 30
era
I've had this bad habit for almost four to five years, this is the first time I'm talking about it with other people, I've had obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child but no one knew, no one still knows, now these obsessions are in the form of picking skin, I pick my skin almost every day, so that all my hands, arms and face are destroyed, every time I look at myself in the mirror I hate myself, I destroyed my body, my skin, my health and my beauty, i was ugly before as well but now i'm even more ugly than before, I can never forgive myself, i feel sorry for myself, I've lost my self-esteem, I'm just feeling ashamed, also I'm always worried that I might get an serious infection, I'm always worried that someone will find out I have this problem, I'm even ashamed to go to a psychologist, Even my family does not know how bad my condition is, I really feel sorry for myself, watching any video or hearing no words does not make me feel better, it is a fact that I ruined my whole life, I don't deserve myself to have a better life anymore, I don't consider myself worthy of progress, I don't consider myself worthy of making good friends, I don't know how long I have to deal with these problems! When are they going to end?
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I've had this bad habit for almost four to five years, this is the first time I'm talking about it with other people, I've had obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child but no one knew, no one still knows, now these obsessions are in the form of picking skin, I pick my skin almost every day, so that all my hands, arms and face are destroyed, every time I look at myself in the mirror I hate myself, I destroyed my body, my skin, my health and my beauty, i was ugly before as well but now i'm even more ugly than before, I can never forgive myself, i feel sorry for myself, I've lost my self-esteem, I'm just feeling ashamed, also I'm always worried that I might get an serious infection, I'm always worried that someone will find out I have this problem, I'm even ashamed to go to a psychologist, Even my family does not know how bad my condition is, I really feel sorry for myself, watching any video or hearing no words does not make me feel better, it is a fact that I ruined my whole life, I don't deserve myself to have a better life anymore, I don't consider myself worthy of progress, I don't consider myself worthy of making good friends, I don't know how long I have to deal with these problems! When are they going to end?
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blogs
Finding this video was honestly so empowering for me. I've always been painfully aware of the fact that resources and support are so hard to find for my dermatillomania and dermatophagia symptoms. They've always seemed so severe and shameful to me because I had no one else to relate to. It felt like I had some extreme version of the disorder, and like I was trapped with it alone. Seeing her and her confidence, and how far she's come is inspiring, seeing a whole comment section full of supportive people, many of which know what this disorder is like, makes me feel a kind of comfort I've never heard in regards to this disorder. It has always been a trigger for someone else to talk to me about it, or tell me I should just stop. I've been working so hard not to touch my face, hands and lips. I'm making progress and it's empowering knowing I'm not doing it alone.
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Finding this video was honestly so empowering for me. I've always been painfully aware of the fact that resources and support are so hard to find for my dermatillomania and dermatophagia symptoms. They've always seemed so severe and shameful to me because I had no one else to relate to. It felt like I had some extreme version of the disorder, and like I was trapped with it alone. Seeing her and her confidence, and how far she's come is inspiring, seeing a whole comment section full of supportive people, many of which know what this disorder is like, makes me feel a kind of comfort I've never heard in regards to this disorder. It has always been a trigger for someone else to talk to me about it, or tell me I should just stop. I've been working so hard not to touch my face, hands and lips. I'm making progress and it's empowering knowing I'm not doing it alone.
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Es-terix
I do this really bad ever since I was a little girl. My mom used to sit and pick at her cuticles and stuff and I started by picking the skin around my fingers when I was anxious, and then I-d obsess over anything on my skin that felt raised or imperfect. I have keratosis Pilaris on the backs of my arms and my thighs and the relief of my anxiety and stress is one of the biggest reasons I would pick. It was so satisfying to pick at my KP knowing an ingrown hair would pop out. I would just feel up and down my arms or legs especially in the bathroom or in the car and I would just pick pick pick until either my skin was too sore or my back from bending in weird positions. It-s the worst my condolences to anyone dealing with this ---
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I do this really bad ever since I was a little girl. My mom used to sit and pick at her cuticles and stuff and I started by picking the skin around my fingers when I was anxious, and then I-d obsess over anything on my skin that felt raised or imperfect. I have keratosis Pilaris on the backs of my arms and my thighs and the relief of my anxiety and stress is one of the biggest reasons I would pick. It was so satisfying to pick at my KP knowing an ingrown hair would pop out. I would just feel up and down my arms or legs especially in the bathroom or in the car and I would just pick pick pick until either my skin was too sore or my back from bending in weird positions. It-s the worst my condolences to anyone dealing with this ---
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blogs
As someone who has suffered from this since the age of 11 (now in my 40's, its always nice to see it spoken about. I first learned about dermatillomania in Cosmopolitan magazine, of all places, back in the early 2000's. They did an article on trichotillomania but had a side bar on similar conditions, and it was mentioned there. I was like, oh my gosh, that is ME! I don't have it as severely as this person, as in I don't pick open wounds, but my face, and upper body is riddled with scars from picking acne, and the tips of my fingers are scarred as well from picking the skin there. Any bump or loose bit of skin (like a hangnail) will be picked. But thankfully I leave scabs alone.
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As someone who has suffered from this since the age of 11 (now in my 40's, its always nice to see it spoken about. I first learned about dermatillomania in Cosmopolitan magazine, of all places, back in the early 2000's. They did an article on trichotillomania but had a side bar on similar conditions, and it was mentioned there. I was like, oh my gosh, that is ME! I don't have it as severely as this person, as in I don't pick open wounds, but my face, and upper body is riddled with scars from picking acne, and the tips of my fingers are scarred as well from picking the skin there. Any bump or loose bit of skin (like a hangnail) will be picked. But thankfully I leave scabs alone.
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Basil
It took me years to get to a level where I wasn't scratching my legs till I bled (it was more on my legs than arms, but that occured too) or picked my cuticles until I had infections. I still pick but it is very very very very rare these days and I have to be going through a lot of anxiety. The worst I remember was during 9th grade and using a led pencil daily to pick out skin around my cuticles. I am huge about skin care but also I deal with dry skin and do my best to maintain it where I do not pick it. This was a Lil bit that needed to be seen. Most think it's just pulling out hair but skin is also equally as easy to use a similar anxiety crutch. Here is to healing!
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It took me years to get to a level where I wasn't scratching my legs till I bled (it was more on my legs than arms, but that occured too) or picked my cuticles until I had infections. I still pick but it is very very very very rare these days and I have to be going through a lot of anxiety. The worst I remember was during 9th grade and using a led pencil daily to pick out skin around my cuticles. I am huge about skin care but also I deal with dry skin and do my best to maintain it where I do not pick it. This was a Lil bit that needed to be seen. Most think it's just pulling out hair but skin is also equally as easy to use a similar anxiety crutch. Here is to healing!
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Judieb
Thanks for sharing this video. I have picked my fingers all my life then started on scabs. I got really bad 2yrs ago and have spots all on my legs and back. We don't have much in UK. I didn't know it had a name and I have been to GP. I cover my legs in the day now with a big tubigrip. I take it off at night and it is so tempting to pick all the lovely scabs. I have had depression off and on all my life. My parents would shout if I picked as a child but I would just go to bed and pick. They meant well but the lack of knowledge back didn't help. Stay safe everyone
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Thanks for sharing this video. I have picked my fingers all my life then started on scabs. I got really bad 2yrs ago and have spots all on my legs and back. We don't have much in UK. I didn't know it had a name and I have been to GP. I cover my legs in the day now with a big tubigrip. I take it off at night and it is so tempting to pick all the lovely scabs. I have had depression off and on all my life. My parents would shout if I picked as a child but I would just go to bed and pick. They meant well but the lack of knowledge back didn't help. Stay safe everyone
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Kelly
A few years ago, i was struggling mentally and started picking my breasts and later on biting it (i don't know how it started so it's safe to say it happened unconsciously. Till this day, I still do it but just not as bad. I've tried stopping countless times and my family just says -stop picking-.
I would say that it's really difficult to control my hands. So i need constant movement as well. Even when writing, i bite my pencils/pens. It's nice knowing what the condition is. And knowing there's others going through similar things and ways to cope with it
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A few years ago, i was struggling mentally and started picking my breasts and later on biting it (i don't know how it started so it's safe to say it happened unconsciously. Till this day, I still do it but just not as bad. I've tried stopping countless times and my family just says -stop picking-.
I would say that it's really difficult to control my hands. So i need constant movement as well. Even when writing, i bite my pencils/pens. It's nice knowing what the condition is. And knowing there's others going through similar things and ways to cope with it
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Mia
I also have this disorder, luckily it doesn't go as far as this. But it makes me realize how lucky I am. And how I really need to have my control under wraps.
I used to pull my eyelashes as a kid, and picked every weird bump. So I know how it's like growing up ashamed of ur skin and feeling ugly.
Now it's mostly fear of ingrown hairs. So I tweeze pretty much every area of hair on my body except my scalp. I'll pick and tweeze anything that looks different. Sometimes it's bad and I'll spent 3 hrs on one leg picking, sometimes it's not so bad.
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I also have this disorder, luckily it doesn't go as far as this. But it makes me realize how lucky I am. And how I really need to have my control under wraps.
I used to pull my eyelashes as a kid, and picked every weird bump. So I know how it's like growing up ashamed of ur skin and feeling ugly.
Now it's mostly fear of ingrown hairs. So I tweeze pretty much every area of hair on my body except my scalp. I'll pick and tweeze anything that looks different. Sometimes it's bad and I'll spent 3 hrs on one leg picking, sometimes it's not so bad.
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Autumn
I never knew there was a name for it and I wasn't alone. I have psoriasis and I pick at my patches constantly, sometimes to the point of bleeding and needing bandages. I always felt ashamed of my scars and people asked me why I picked and I could never explain it. The strong urge to pick at my skin on my hands and feet and the release I experience while following up with the shame of doing it. I'm 26 years old and have been doing it for YEARS and this is the first time I heard a name for it and discovered I'm not alone and I want to cry
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I never knew there was a name for it and I wasn't alone. I have psoriasis and I pick at my patches constantly, sometimes to the point of bleeding and needing bandages. I always felt ashamed of my scars and people asked me why I picked and I could never explain it. The strong urge to pick at my skin on my hands and feet and the release I experience while following up with the shame of doing it. I'm 26 years old and have been doing it for YEARS and this is the first time I heard a name for it and discovered I'm not alone and I want to cry
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breezy
I'm diagnosed with OCD and pick my hands to the point where my Liquid Bandage is my best friend. At any given point, I'll have cuts and scabs over 8 of my 10 fingers. Scalp picking is also super tempting. Basically any scab and/or skin blemish will make me pick.
I never thought about the fact that there could be a connection of the two until seeing this video. Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing; I'm definitely going to address this the next time I see my doctor.
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I'm diagnosed with OCD and pick my hands to the point where my Liquid Bandage is my best friend. At any given point, I'll have cuts and scabs over 8 of my 10 fingers. Scalp picking is also super tempting. Basically any scab and/or skin blemish will make me pick.
I never thought about the fact that there could be a connection of the two until seeing this video. Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing; I'm definitely going to address this the next time I see my doctor.
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Roguelove
My legs look like hers! I've been struggling with this for as long as I can remember, and I've only recently got it more under control. My worst place is my scalp, I'm sure it looks like a minefield. I've found it helps me to shift to my other, non-destructive OCD tendencies when I'm feeling especially picky, and keeping my hands busy. I crochet when I watch TV. My fiance also helps a lot by tapping me when I'm scratching to make me aware of it so I can stop.
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My legs look like hers! I've been struggling with this for as long as I can remember, and I've only recently got it more under control. My worst place is my scalp, I'm sure it looks like a minefield. I've found it helps me to shift to my other, non-destructive OCD tendencies when I'm feeling especially picky, and keeping my hands busy. I crochet when I watch TV. My fiance also helps a lot by tapping me when I'm scratching to make me aware of it so I can stop.
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Eliza
Think my 6 years old has this condition, he picks his skin constantly, especially where its already bruised, if he doesn't have a bruise he will bruise his skin to pick, I've always thought it was a condition, Couse it's not normal, he started when he was 3, his arms and legs are full of black spots. we've tried talking to him, took him to the doc, but he still does, just neva crossed my mind to think there are other people out there and how bad it can get.
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Think my 6 years old has this condition, he picks his skin constantly, especially where its already bruised, if he doesn't have a bruise he will bruise his skin to pick, I've always thought it was a condition, Couse it's not normal, he started when he was 3, his arms and legs are full of black spots. we've tried talking to him, took him to the doc, but he still does, just neva crossed my mind to think there are other people out there and how bad it can get.
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Laura
I have it too, but not this severely. It started at 12 with my scalp, I was always so embarrased at hair salons because my scalp was full of scabs and scars and red, raw skin. My sister told people about it as a joke and I was again really embarrassed. I relate to the hour long picking sessions in front of a mirror. It has since moved to my legs and hands too, but my scalp is still the worst for me. I'm 24 now and I still deal with this.
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I have it too, but not this severely. It started at 12 with my scalp, I was always so embarrased at hair salons because my scalp was full of scabs and scars and red, raw skin. My sister told people about it as a joke and I was again really embarrassed. I relate to the hour long picking sessions in front of a mirror. It has since moved to my legs and hands too, but my scalp is still the worst for me. I'm 24 now and I still deal with this.
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blogs
Okay just this week I was thinking about why my own dermatillomania could be dangerous and I thought, -what if I get MRSA? - - and then this video pops up on my feed. Makes me want to cry honestly, I wish I could just switch it off, I don-t want to keep hurting myself and every day I continue means another day of scars I-ll have forever- and the scars are only the least of my worries compared to MRSA
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Okay just this week I was thinking about why my own dermatillomania could be dangerous and I thought, -what if I get MRSA? - - and then this video pops up on my feed. Makes me want to cry honestly, I wish I could just switch it off, I don-t want to keep hurting myself and every day I continue means another day of scars I-ll have forever- and the scars are only the least of my worries compared to MRSA
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Sandra
So I can finally put a name to what I been doing since I have memory-right now I am trying not to pick at my chin. I felt so self conscious about my arms and legs in middle school. I-m thinking of getting some fidgets. I no longer pick at my thumbs because I have acrylic nails. I hope to stop one day. Thanks for doing what you do, telling your story is so important.
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So I can finally put a name to what I been doing since I have memory-right now I am trying not to pick at my chin. I felt so self conscious about my arms and legs in middle school. I-m thinking of getting some fidgets. I no longer pick at my thumbs because I have acrylic nails. I hope to stop one day. Thanks for doing what you do, telling your story is so important.
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fosta4243
I-ve had dermatillomania and trichotillomania for 14 yrs and it does become debilitating. No matter how many people tell you to stop it-s not that easy! It-s such an ingrained thing that I-ll pull my hair and rub my arms to find all the imperfections without even realizing I-m doing it. Getting an infection is my worst fear. Wishing you Lauren the best!
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I-ve had dermatillomania and trichotillomania for 14 yrs and it does become debilitating. No matter how many people tell you to stop it-s not that easy! It-s such an ingrained thing that I-ll pull my hair and rub my arms to find all the imperfections without even realizing I-m doing it. Getting an infection is my worst fear. Wishing you Lauren the best!
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Kusuo
I have this too, though not as bad. The main place I pick at is my scalp, because I used to have trichatillomania as well. I-m polka dotted with different scars on my face, my forearms, and legs. I love hearing about people with the same issue, because it makes me feel less alone. I wish the best for you and thank you for sharing your story -
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I have this too, though not as bad. The main place I pick at is my scalp, because I used to have trichatillomania as well. I-m polka dotted with different scars on my face, my forearms, and legs. I love hearing about people with the same issue, because it makes me feel less alone. I wish the best for you and thank you for sharing your story -
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blogs
Thank you so much for sharing you story! My legs are extremely scarred from dermatillomania and my arms are getting bad. And oh yes, the abscess with the black scab that doesn-t pick off, MRSA! Ive had MRSA too many times to count. I was hospitalized twice for it both being by my eye. She makes me feel less alone. Thank you sweetie!
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Thank you so much for sharing you story! My legs are extremely scarred from dermatillomania and my arms are getting bad. And oh yes, the abscess with the black scab that doesn-t pick off, MRSA! Ive had MRSA too many times to count. I was hospitalized twice for it both being by my eye. She makes me feel less alone. Thank you sweetie!
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EriEli
I do not want to undermine your current diagnosis, but is there any chance of underlying prader willii acquired frontal lobe syndrome. I work in the human services field and this was a frequent attribute to this condition. It's a very undiagnosed symptom of the condition even of you do not fit the full parameters of the condition.
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I do not want to undermine your current diagnosis, but is there any chance of underlying prader willii acquired frontal lobe syndrome. I work in the human services field and this was a frequent attribute to this condition. It's a very undiagnosed symptom of the condition even of you do not fit the full parameters of the condition.
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mj
Omg this honestly makes me feel like I-m not alone. I started picking when I was 15 after being diagnosed with lupus and I-ve been struggling ever since. I honestly didn-t know how serious this could get. I honestly thought this was a way to cope with my anxiety and OCD. Lauren thank you for sharing your story. I really needed it!
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Omg this honestly makes me feel like I-m not alone. I started picking when I was 15 after being diagnosed with lupus and I-ve been struggling ever since. I honestly didn-t know how serious this could get. I honestly thought this was a way to cope with my anxiety and OCD. Lauren thank you for sharing your story. I really needed it!
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Gail
My mother had this condition. I wish I'd understood it better at the time. She'd pick the skin off the top of her nose until it was an awful bright red. It must've been painful for her. But after watching this program, l see now that she just couldn't control it. RIP MOM. I'm sorry for giving you such grief about it!
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My mother had this condition. I wish I'd understood it better at the time. She'd pick the skin off the top of her nose until it was an awful bright red. It must've been painful for her. But after watching this program, l see now that she just couldn't control it. RIP MOM. I'm sorry for giving you such grief about it!
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Kyra
I don't have dermatillomania (although I tend to pick a lot at my skin, but I do something else compulsively. I find split ends in my hair and -take them out-. I don't know why I'm doing it but I think it might be a calming mechanism (for my anxiety. Anyone else does the same thing?
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I don't have dermatillomania (although I tend to pick a lot at my skin, but I do something else compulsively. I find split ends in my hair and -take them out-. I don't know why I'm doing it but I think it might be a calming mechanism (for my anxiety. Anyone else does the same thing?
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Miriam
I don-t think my level of picking is quite like this, but it is a big struggle to not pick at any rough spot or bump I feel on my body. I try SO hard to not do it but when I-m not doing other things with my hands it just happens. I keep play dough in my car now, and at my desk.
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I don-t think my level of picking is quite like this, but it is a big struggle to not pick at any rough spot or bump I feel on my body. I try SO hard to not do it but when I-m not doing other things with my hands it just happens. I keep play dough in my car now, and at my desk.
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Alice
There is a woman naked Kelly Ronahan who didn't have this disorder, but did pick at her legs until you could see right through it, bone and all. She ended up needing a double amputation. It's believed she has Munchausens. If you look for info on her, beware of the graphic pics.
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There is a woman naked Kelly Ronahan who didn't have this disorder, but did pick at her legs until you could see right through it, bone and all. She ended up needing a double amputation. It's believed she has Munchausens. If you look for info on her, beware of the graphic pics.
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Ticrific
I have dermatillomania and it-s mainly on my face. It-s awful and I always feel self conscious about it, but I-m learning to love myself more! Her tips are so helpful and I-ll definitely be implementing the ones that I can. I-ve tried so many times to stop and I can-t
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I have dermatillomania and it-s mainly on my face. It-s awful and I always feel self conscious about it, but I-m learning to love myself more! Her tips are so helpful and I-ll definitely be implementing the ones that I can. I-ve tried so many times to stop and I can-t
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Baylee
My family physician always tells me -stop picking- if something is visible however that's just made me more sneaky over the years. If you're a doctor please bring this up to your patient. Offer them solutions instead of just noticing when it's visible.
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My family physician always tells me -stop picking- if something is visible however that's just made me more sneaky over the years. If you're a doctor please bring this up to your patient. Offer them solutions instead of just noticing when it's visible.
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faffounette
I pick my cuticles and it's worse in the winter. the tip of my fingers become swollem and bloody. It's not pretty to look at. I tried to stop but failed. It only gets better in the summer because my skin wouldn't be as dry
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I pick my cuticles and it's worse in the winter. the tip of my fingers become swollem and bloody. It's not pretty to look at. I tried to stop but failed. It only gets better in the summer because my skin wouldn't be as dry
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Kiyobot
I had laser resurfacing on my face because of the scars this disorder has left. It's a horrible condition. I also contacted MRSA (several times) in my face, causing me to have facial surgery.
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I had laser resurfacing on my face because of the scars this disorder has left. It's a horrible condition. I also contacted MRSA (several times) in my face, causing me to have facial surgery.
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Colorful
I believe that I have this disorder. I have it on most of my body. I have tried to many things to stop picking at my skin, nothing works. thank you for this video. now I have a name for it.
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I believe that I have this disorder. I have it on most of my body. I have tried to many things to stop picking at my skin, nothing works. thank you for this video. now I have a name for it.
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Continent
Omg I didint know it was a disorder - I thought I was weird. sometimes I bleed everywhere in my face. I do it the most wen I'm sleeping! I wake up the with pillow full of blood
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Omg I didint know it was a disorder - I thought I was weird. sometimes I bleed everywhere in my face. I do it the most wen I'm sleeping! I wake up the with pillow full of blood
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