Notcrazy
- Date posted
- 4y ago
ARTnotOCDARTnotOCD
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Even with my tricks to help not pick, I still do it sometimes. But in the fight to pick less, here’re some ideas: 1. Manicures, fake nails, gloves — When my nails are nice, I use them less for picking in order to keep them nice. Fake nails cannot pick as well as real ones! And gloves are an option when my other methods aren’t working. 2. Fidget toys, activities involving your hands, sewing — Keeping your hands busy for “nervous” energy can really help. (I put quotes because it doesn’t have to mean you are actually nervous; you could be bored or have any other emotion.). Sewing in particular is my favorite. It keeps my hands busy. It is not a net negative act or even neutral; it’s net positive. (By that I mean that not only don’t the results end in harm, but they produce something pleasing or good.). Also, sewing, and often tinkering or fixing anything, kind of gives me similar pleasurable sensations as picking does. The part of picking that can be satisfying is met, yet it’s met without all the regret or guilt. Sewing also helps me balance my mind, almost meditatively, keeping me in a better state when I’m done sewing too. So find your special activity. 3. When you catch yourself picking, pause, FORGIVE yourself, and then hit reset. My OCD will act like or say, “Well, you’ve already lost, so you might as well keep picking.” That’s just it being a big jerk! The truth is that that’s when the battle is starting, not already lost! And if I falter again, it’s hard, but I forgive myself again and restart the fight. It can also be good to switch things up at that point. I find even taking a break to come to this app is helpful. Not only can it help refocus you, but you can feel a level of accountability and support here because we all understand OCD and its related beasts. 4. After picking, putting on moisturizer or first aide cream or even lightly bandaging any wounds helps remind me that damage has been done, but that I am taking steps to heal my skin and my mind. Reminders of steps forward can be helpful during the next fight. Good luck! You got this! One step at a time! 💜💪🏼
CrissyCrissy
- Date posted
- 4y ago
this is super helpful!
NotcrazyNotcrazy
- Date posted
- 4y ago
This is soooooo thoughtful and helpful, thank you! I especially love the part about self forgiveness. It's like I obsess over things (not just skin, I pick at wall paint etc too) not being perfectly smooth. And I'll be like no, this time I'm going to pick it off perfectly so it doesn't bleed. HA! I am so tired of bloody face! "That's when the battle is starting" - LOVE.
lindsaylee03zlindsaylee03z
- Date posted
- 1y ago
@Notcrazy I pick at my face, wall paint, literally anything that’s not smooth. I will pick until the tips of my fingers are bloody. I don’t WANT to, and I WANT to stop, but I can’t! I CANNOT relax until whatever it is, is smooth.
jrlane15jrlane15
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 4y ago
If you can afford it the Habit Aware bracelet is a great tool from what I’ve heard.
NotcrazyNotcrazy
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Oh awesome I'll look into it, thank you!!!
trying to be mindfultrying to be...
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I definitely find playing with something in my hands helps. Like silly putty maybe or even a paper clip or a clicking pen or something.
NotcrazyNotcrazy
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I remember I used to give the kids I worked with something like Mike's magic putty or something like that, I should get some for myself! Thanks!
AnonymousAnonymous
- Date posted
- 3y ago
I also pick at my face because it is calming, but then I get upset after I get a good look at my face and am embarrassed when someone sees my sores. What can I do to stop this picking. It’s not as if I have acne, or am even a youngster. This is something I used to do years ago on my arm, but started again recently, but on my face. Is there anything I can do about this, or meds I need to take to help me?
ARTnotOCDARTnotOCD
- Date posted
- 3y ago
Same things for other skin picking works for face. I do it too. Work in progress. Good luck!
Related posts
julialazz
- Date posted
- 20w ago
skin picking
recently i have had a huge problem with picking my skin so it's smooth. i was up all night last night picking my skin and everytime i tried to stop i felt extremely uncomfortable and nauseous. i cut my nails to like nothing and bandaged my problem spots but im still picking at my skin. i simply don't have enough bandages to cover my whole body lmao. i would love some advice on how y'all deal with that.
tlousluvr
- Date posted
- 13w ago
advice 🧸
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Anonymous
- Date posted
- 8w ago
Hand washing
I need advice. I’m constantly washing my hands after going to the bathroom/touching something I find gross, but it doesn’t stop at just washing. I have to keep washing til I feel right (usually 3-4 times). It also isn’t just my hands, I go all the way up my forearms. I know in my head that once is enough. But I can’t kick this repetitive behavior. I know I should just start only washing it once but I don’t know if I can handle the panic that will come after. I need advice/tips if anyone’s gone through something similar what worked for you. Im just sick of this
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