I deal with excoriation disorder/dermatillomania where I constantly feel the need to pick at my skin/squeeze/get out any content beneath the surface of my face via bumps/pores. I've actually never really had much acne, but due to the damage I've done to my own skin, it almost looks like I have acne scars. I mostly do it in the morning and at night when I'm in the bathroom/ in front of a mirror and although I'm aware it's harmful and can see the repercussions and red splotchy cuts on my face after, I'm having a hard time controlling it. Does anyone face a similar experience with excoriation disorder? If so, any tips or strategies I should try?

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

I do the same thing! No advice unfortunately, just know that you’re not alone!

Username: Junebug21Junebug21

Date posted: 2y ago

Thanks! It's like all I want is clear skin and to not pick obviously, but it almost serves as a stress release/relief when I do it that I can't seem to experience in any other way

Username: Pepperminta 🍬Pepperminta 🍬

Date posted: 2y ago

Hello ^_^ I have this exact thing too. I found using spot dots really helped as it puts a barrier between me and the "imperfection" and helps my brain know I am doing something to clean beneath my skin without me messing too much. COSRX spot dots are the best ones for actually extracting and cleaning. It's still hit and miss when it works for me but they have definitely helped a lot. Otherwise CBT exercises to stop the impulse to action chain. :)

Username: redmuse22redmuse22

Date posted: 2y ago

I try to block myself from being triggered. Like if I'm in the bathroom and start staring at myself in the mirror I try to be aware of that so I don't start examining my face. My thighs are another big on for me (hello in grown hairs) so I've been trying to treat my skin better as both a form of self-care and self compassion, and so I'll have less things to be tempted by. Occasionally I wear pants in the house as if I have some kind of barrier or obstacle I'm less likely to engage. One thing my therapist is having me do if to try to take notes when I pick. What time of day, where was I, what feelings/thoughts was I having etc. I've noticed while sometimes I do it out of stress, sometimes its out of boredom or pure habit. Try to keep track of this for a week and then see if there are any patterns to it.

Username: Alys chan

Date posted: 5y ago

"Excoriation disorder is an obsessive-compulsive spectrum mental disorder that is characterized by the repeated urge or impulse to pick at one's own skin to the extent that either psychological or physical damage is caused." This quote is not my words but it explains my OCD best . Anyone else who is diagnosed with this? And how do you deal with it? Currently I am obsessed with picking my scalp and I can't stop. If I don't do it, I keep thinking about it. A few years back I was so obsessed and driven, I cut off some of my beauty spots with scissors. I pull the skin off my nails and it bleeds. I can't control this. I am in the beginning of therapy but don't have a lot of sessions because my psychologist is very good but very busy. How do I deal with this for now, I can't stop.

Username: shar24

Date posted: 5y ago

Does anyone have any tips on overcoming dermatillomania? I pick at my skin for hours every day... So bad that sometimes I can't leave the house in fear of people looking at my skin. It started when my ocd symptoms did (about 14 years old). I'm now 24 and just learning that I have ocd (intrusive thoughts, tapping, checking, counting, involuntary blinking, excessive cleaning of myself and house)... I wasn't diagnosed properly until now. I also have anxiety about writing emails, googling, social media, texting etc in fear that I've said something horrible or offensive or that my intrusive thoughts are going to somehow take over and type for me .... Lol so this took me about an hour to finish writing and to post.... Had to read it precisely 30 times just to be sure ;) thanks for reading ... Also does anyone else suffer from the writing messages and ocd thing ??? Or just me? ?

Username: Notcrazy

Date posted: 4y ago

Skin care tips for skin-picking disorder please!! On top of/related to my OCD I've had lifelong skin picking disorder. Anyway I had a bad night and I've picked away at two areas on my face (I don't even have acne just random spots I've picked away at) which are now huge bloody scabs and also a patch of bleeding nastiness on my lip. Every day I tell myself I'm NOT going to pick the scabs off and then before I know it I'm picking them off and they're bloody again. Recs/tips for 1. How to stop picking the damn scabs off and 2. Any products you've used that will make this heal faster??? It is hideous and too bloody to cover with make up :(

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