hey i’m not sure the title is accurate but i couldn’t think of anything better

basically i’ve been struggling with skin picking for my entire life

it started small

picking some overhangs and scans around my nails at 6

nothing too serious

as years went by it evolved into pretty severe skin picking, where i wasn’t able to go a day without making a lesion

and recently (like in the past year) the habit developed into full blown dermatilomania

i keep on picking to the point where my lesions can’t heal properly

the worst of it is i started picking skin on my heels to the point where i can’t walk properly anymore and when i do it causes me a lot of pain

it catches up to me in the evening when i’m bored

i’ve been advised to “occupy my hands with something” but what nobody seems to get is that it’s something i do absentmindedly i’m not sure what to do anymore

does anyone have similar experience or am i beyond help at this point ?

have a nice day

  • Phil K@lemmy.world
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    8 months ago

    We have a friend who does this. To the point of bleeding. It is a recognised medical compulsive disorder condition (a desire for perfect skin so you want to remove the imperfections which makes it worse and so on)

    Please do see a doctor. They won’t think badly of you and can help.

    • aslafooOP
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      8 months ago

      i used to pick at the skin on my face as well, it wasn’t much of a body image issue thing in my case but still it was way more convenient and entertaining then focusing on boring class for example thank you for responding and my heart goes out for your friend i hope they’ll find their peace and feel better thank you again and have a lovely day