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zakruti.com » Knowledge, science, education » Psych2Go
Skin Picking Disorder. What is it?

Skin Picking Disorder. What is it?

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Rating: 4.0; Vote: 1
Weve probably all seen people pick at their skin before, whether its at a pimple, scab, or at dry, flaky skin. However, not everyone who picks at their skin has a serious problem. So, what differentiates normal skin picking from abnormal skin picking one that becomes a disorder? This video will discuss the diagnostic criteria of skin picking disorder, or excoriation disorder, according to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-5. We also created a video awareness around on self-harm
Date: 2023-08-20

Comments and reviews: 25


i have been struggling with this disorder ever since i was like 10 years old, i can't quite remember exactly. i have scars all over my body because of it and over the years i've had family members tell me to just stop picking at it. though, i do appreciate them trying to help me out and give me closure, it really isn't as easy as i wish it was. literally anything can trigger it and what's worse is that most of the time i don't even realize i'm doing it, it's like you get sucked into this hole that you so desperately want to, but can't get out of. i also have eczema which makes everything about it so much worse because i constantly have dry patches of skin appearing that i will consistently pick at until i make myself bleed and until it is smooth. i feel shame and guilt every time i look at my body, especially my face because i know that i did/am doing it to myself even though i just can't stop doing it no matter how hard i try. i've cried about it many times wishing for a miracle to happen one day that i will just stop picking at my skin for good, but it's like wishing on a fallen star. my doctors or therapists have zero knowledge on it which is so excruciating because it feels like no one will ever understand. growing up, i always thought i was just weird and gross because people would look at me in school like i was a freak in the middle of doing it or right after doing it when the wounds were fresh, and raw, and bleeding. i never knew it was a disorder until like three years ago and it is so humiliating to know that i've wasted nearly half of my life hiding away, wearing clothes that cover my legs, arms, torso, and sometimes hoodies to cover my face because i don't want people to look or stare at me and see my very noticeable wounds or scars that i've caused myself. i also have this constant fear that i will never be able to be in a relationship because i think that my partner would see me as weird, strange, and gross and would judge me for it when the judgment from myself alone is more than enough. most of my days or practically every day, i sit while watching people with clear, unwounded, scarless, smooth skin and i'm just sulking while thinking to myself why me? why can't i look like them? why do i have to suffer from this? why do i do this to myself? why can't i stop? why is their skin so perfect and not mine? why not me? it is a constant, debilitating battle and it is destroying my self esteem, my mental health, along with my life and i absolutely hate it. i wish that i could go back in time to where i wasn't yet compulsively picking at my skin to try and turn things back around, but unfortunately, the damage has already been done. though, my scars are slowly but surely fading with creams and such and i'm quite happy about it so far! i'm hoping that by doing therapy sessions with my therapist it will help so that i can eventually get much better and stop my bad habit for good. it's gonna be a long road to recovery, but i'm determined to reach my goal and get my life back. thank you for bringing insight to this rare disorder, it feels nice to know that i'm no longer alone and that it's finally getting acknowledged after years of believing i was absolutely insane for even doing this, especially for years.
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Interesting, cuz I myself have a problem with picking my own skin. The reason why is because I want it to feel smooth, which comes from insucurity. This started 1 year ago (summer 2021) where I started picking the skin on my arms which then just left scabs and made me more insacure about myself and the only way for me to not do it is by wearing long sleeves, which in the fall when I did I noticed I stopped doing it. But back in May when it started getting warmer out again, I ended up doing it again and it's gotten even worse on my right arm, so many scabs and I did make apart of it smooth and. i didn't like it. And parts of this video is what I do relate to as I did try to stop previously mentioned and I don't think I can even when my parents tell me to stop. And while I was watching this vid I was doing it on my chin cuz again, I want it to be smooth even though it hurts me to do it. and I have done it nonstop for a few hours too but I had to snap myself out of it. So now this is another potential disorder I may have, as i also think I have OCD (not self diagnosing)
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I pick at my skin when Im bored, sad, angry, and scared. And I try not to, I get in trouble sometimes even. But one method has kept me clean for an entire day now: the butterfly method; often used for SH but I mean skin picking is a form of sh soooo but anyways the butterfly method is where you draw a butterfly with permanent marker next/around the often picking area and name it after someone you love, a friend, family member, mom, dad, etc. and if you pick/scratch/cut there the butterfly/person dies. And you cant pick until that butterfly is 10000% gone/faded And it makes you feel guilty so you dont pick/sh its worked for me but I may not work for others but if you havnt tried it I recommend doing so!
Edit: nvm gotta reset my time been clean for 5 mins

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i have been picking my skin since i was a little kid. i am very prone to mosquito bites and i always scratch them until they scab and i pick the scab until it scars. it gets better in the winter when there is less bugs but every summer i am covered in scabs and its so hard to stop. i have countless scars all over my body. right now i am going through a really bad picking episode because i recently went on vacation to another country where it is warm. this is the worst case of scabs i have ever had. i physically cannot stop myself from doing this no matter how hard i try. i have not yet been diagnosed with skin picking disorder but the description of the condition literally describes what i go through to a tee
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Idk if this is the same but I find my self constantly picking and pulling at the skin on my lips causing them to bleed and scab and I pick them while zoning out or looking in the mirror or just doing it and not even realizing Im doing it, it gives me a sense of comfort but Ive used fidgets and moisturizer for my lips and nothing helps my lips have began to discolor and the skin around my lips has become a different color then my lips I often find myself using lip liner and concealer along with foundation to cover the scars the I pick and pick and pick at no matter how many times I try to stop my family says its my fault but I feel as though I cant help it what do I do?
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I have had it for 15 years - very old habit- and I don't stop with bleeding - it actually gets worse once it bleeds because I put alcohol over it - it dries up - and I pick at it again - repeat till all is left is a scar.
Many teachers and adults have given me fidget toys to keep my hands busy but I hate the amount of noise they generate - so it has resorted to gel nails - since such nails are weaker and duller than my natural nails
I get very frustrated being unable to pick at my skin - it's like an itch that shall never be satisfied - and I still agressively rub my fingers everywhere - however now at least my skin has some space to properly heal.

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ik nobody really cares but I've been searching for another person who picks at their fingers and palms. I've been struggling with this for longer than four years and I just honestly need reassurance from another person so I don't feel like I'm the only person struggling with this side of skin picking because I feel like the main focus in skin picking is of the face, and idk I just feel kinda pushed away from this community.
also I'm going to get my shit diagnosed really soon so hopefully that brings some peace into my life and people will start forgiving me for the way I've been acting all these years. love you guys

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I scan my face with my fingers, and scrape away dead skin with my nails, and can sit like that for hours. I don't understand why is always something to pick. I also pick my scalp, because I get occasional dandruff, and I scrape it away to the point where I get sores and the next day it will come scab to pick again. And the cycle just continues. People tell me to not pick. But they don't understand the feeling I get in my stomach, like a tingling uneasy feeling. I have to do it. Is this a sign of skin picking disorder? I don't go to mirrors or anything. I just pick without even being aware that my hand is doing it.
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Don't know if I have it or just a terrible habit I have but picking at my fingers, especially underneath the nail, scrapping scabs or just unhealed marks, picking at bumps on my skin that would seem like pimples but most the time aren't, and picking at broken skin even if it's painful are common and usual things for me. I don't really stop until it starts to bleeds or I can see blood, even if someone like my mom or aunt says something, I'll just stop then but continue doing it afterward. Also used to pick and even bite my middle knuckles, automatically or being fully conscious of it.
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I always pick my thumbs since I was very young maybe like 6? 7? Im not sure but, I will pick until they bleed and then Ill pick at my other fingers. Ive never really felt uncomfortable picking my skin in public because I dont really realize it. I also dont realize it when Im watching a movie or show and, at this point its become a habit. so Im not sure if I have skin picking disorder. A way I found to help myself is fake nails but it is temporary because the moment the nails come off I pick at my skin again. Can anyone tell me if I have this disorder?
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i always picked/peel the skin of my fingers, i rarely pick in other body parts but i do it when i see something wrong, and when i pick it i keep doing it until it starts to hurt. my mother only told me to stop doing it cause my fingers weren't supposed to be picked at. tho i cant help it and still do it to my fingers. i never assumed it was a disorder cause i didnt know(still dont know if it really is for mine) and only told myself it was only a bad habit, i tried to stop but kept saying one last time and lets stop. everyday but never stopped.
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Ive been struggling with this. I have many scabs from it all over my hands, wrist, knees, and even in my ears. I told my doctor and she told me to put bandages on these spots and use salves and lotions which has helped. What has really helped the most though is putting Elmers glue on my hands and peeling it off, just like we all did in school. It makes me satisfied and then i dont pick my skin. Try it if you pick your skin, trust me. I hope you have a great day and know that you are enough and not alone and feel free to vent in the reply section
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I pick at my lips a lot, but also my whole body to the point where since I was 4 years old I have not had a hand free from band-aids. It's hard to deal with, and it's not something you can just stop doing. I pick because I have mild autism and it helps me stim, especially when I'm bored. Which is most of the time. I trace my skin all too much, and getting cat scratches really does not help! Sometimes all my fingers have to be covered because I pick to the point where it bleeds and sometimes goes too far. Does anyone know a way for me to stop?
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I haven't been diagnosed with this but I'm 99% sure I have it, I've been doing tons of research about it and I watched this and turns out I've done all these things, and it's just like you said, I'm scared someone is going to make fun of me. I usually pick at scabs, blemishes, or my scalp, and all my parents have done to the and help me was telling me to just stop it. Reminder: if someone has this disorder, do not tell force them to explain why they are constantly picking, and I'm lucky enough to have those friends in my life!
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I pick my lips all day i love it idk why my lips bleed every day bc every time it starts to heal I pick the scab up I love the pain its wrong I know it relieves stress I also do it when Im bored in lessons at home all the time my lips are bleeding right now I have cuts and scans all over them I also almost compulsively scratch my skin when Im angry or stressed digging my fingernails into my skin until it bruises the its so satisfying when my skin pulls away from my lip idk why if anyone has any tips to try help this please feel free
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I thought that my situation is normal, and didnt even think that this can be a disorder. I always pick skin on my face. My grandma whenever sees me starts scolding me, and even take my hand away from my face. And I become so much irritated because of that, that I want to do it more. When I am studying, I mostly do that without even realizing it. I tried to stop doing it, but after day, I again feel willingness to do it. Now, I found out that this is disorder, and feel a little scared. I hope that there is way of treatment from that
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ever since i was a kid I used to pick at my skin, sometimes till it bled, I still do it (i mean yesterday it bled, although it's only the skin around my nails(I bite too ugh, that is my nails and the skin around my nails and my lips) and I have tried to stop. It's annoying when I do things because stuff gets in and burns.
my mom keeps telling me to stop but it isn't really that simple
i knew it wasn't normal because I never saw anyone else doing it, but didn't really consider it being a disorder.

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My arms have these bumps on them that are filled with some type of white filling, I wouldn't call it a pimple? It just has like a raised bump and can be slightly white in the middle and if I squeeze it there's a pop of something. Maybe KP.
I've picked at all of them, wanting it to go away, but it scars. And even after seeing the scars, I don't stop. And it's so hard. I don't know if this is what I have, but I just really needed to share that. It's so hard.

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I have so many scars on my arms from picking at them, now Ive started picking at my upper legs and lips too. I hate it, but I cant stop. Its embarrassing for epilepsy to see my scars. I wish I could stop. I think it comes usually from anxiety/social anxiety and boredom, also embarrassment And then someone tells me to stop and it makes my anxiety/embarrassment to flare up cuz they caught me doing it and it makes me pick at it more.
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a lot of the time i do it without even realizing. sometimes my fingers bleed because of it, sometimes i continue to pick through the blood. if it gets really out of control, it hurts to wash my hands. i have tried to stop, but i really can't. i think i'll have to start wearing gloves for a while. wearing gloves would be more inconspicuous than putting plasters or tape on every finger, as i don't want to draw attention.
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I dont FEEL good when I pick at scrabs, they're painful and it sucks, and I can't sometimes sit cross legged.
Yet I keep picking at scabbes, I've been trying to get away from it, and ven doing something to disuade myself from that, like putting stuff on my scabs that tastes really bad.
But that also doesnt help.
Ii'm 30 years old and I'm covered in scabs, dont be like me, dont pick at stuff and eat it.

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I have been suffering this since I was the age of 7. I never knew this was a disorder. I pick my skin a lot at my face. You could see many scars on my face all way to my legs. I don't know how to stop or when to stop. I always pick my skin and it's always so frustrating for me. I get so embarrassed seeing my face while all my other friends have clear skin and clear face. I just feel like I want to give up already.
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I don't think i have it. Sure, i pick my skin a lot and try to get out all the little imperfections and bumps and also those weird ass things that are on the edge of nail but i don't fit the symptons. I don't feel ashamed and i don't feel distress or how it ruins my every day life. I just enjoy getting out all the scrapes of my thumbs, toes and fingers, it's just a very bad habit i can't break.
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I've lived whith it for awhile and it's would get so bad that after a good while of picking at dry skin on my lips or arms I'd draw blood it started whith expressive bitting of my lower lip because I'd hear a noise when ever I did it like a little rip and that escalated I own a extensive lip balm collection cause it gets gifted to me at alot by family who see the picking
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My mother is always yelling at me for picking my skin. My arms and legs are covered in scars from years of picking. She tells me to just stop and stop destroying myself. She doesnt know that when she was getting arrested and I was getting sent into foster care, picking my skin made me feel better. Shes telling me to stop and try to put something down that shes caused.
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