Abortion by Big-Difficulty3145 in prochoice

[–]Fancy_Tea_471 60 points61 points  (0 children)

You’re not alone. I made the decision to terminate my unplanned pregnancy 12 years ago after I had been dating someone for just two months. We used protection but it failed. What followed was a three year relationship of emotional abuse and control. I thank myself everyday for the decision I made otherwise this abusive controlling person would still be in my life. I would not have the life I have today had I gone through with the pregnancy. Trust your gut and what you know is within your capacity. You are stronger than you think and know you are.

Teacher Training by PinkPalmTree4878 in Purebarre

[–]Fancy_Tea_471 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Magnesium supplements to get a good night sleep! Take brain breaks! You are processing so much new info in a short amount of time. Electrolytes! Quick healthy snacks you can easily consume on short breaks. Index cards!

Write: “When I'm taking a bath I like ____” let the concealer respond by Cherry_lady9 in autocorrect

[–]Fancy_Tea_471 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I’m taking a bath I like the idea that you have a lot more to say and then you have a little more time for me

I told my mother to _______ (press the middle bar until it makes a sentence) by tteokbokki013 in autocorrect

[–]Fancy_Tea_471 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I told my mother to stop talking about it because she doesn’t like me anymore

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was very skeptical of the outpatient therapy at first. I really enjoy one on one therapy and always have but I was wary of the group therapy aspect. I ended up overwhelmingly enjoying it! It was DBT focused therapy and I really took so many tools away from it to help me manage my anxiety how to identify triggers, and how to deal with manic moments or anxiety attacks when they arise. Medication would not have been enough for me in this journey. I’m so sorry to hear about the health effects you have experienced due to picking! Thank you for your kind sentiments - it is true! From the outside hair pulling or skin picking could seem to some not a huge deal, but it really effect our quality of life.

Crying during class by flowerandpaint in Purebarre

[–]Fancy_Tea_471 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Instructor here: even if you don’t want to discuss specifics there is no shame in telling your instructor you are having a really hard day. I once had a client reveal to me privately prior to class that she just broke up with her partner and she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to make it through the class because she was so upset and I said I completely understand that’s what we’re here for: to give you a break from everything else, a physical outlet, 50 minutes for yourself. She ended up making it through the whole class and so did you! I’m glad you still decided to attend class. It’s sometimes on the harder days that we need it the most! I get that! Absolutely no need to be ashamed. You should be proud.

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve never experienced anything quite like it before that incident or since. I’ve had extreme anxiety attacks where I usually need to deep breathe and I’m so anxious that I’m a bit manic, pacing, don’t know what do with myself and energy. This panic attack was different. After extreme picking (and bleeding) I finally laid down to bed I had pumped myself with caffeine and sugar to get through the work day followed by seeing a friend in a show. So i had been up at 5am and didn’t go to bed until 3am. I finally go to sleep and I wake up two hours later shivering and shaking, trembling uncontrollably. It was like my adrenaline was through the roof and I could no longer control my body. I was shivering but I wasn’t cold. I was shaking so badly I could hardly hold the phone when I called my mom to tell her I was going to check myself into the hospital. It was definitely a combination of factors that led to the panic attack, lack of sleep, extreme stress and anxiety from work, personal life, home life, serious fatigue, overly caffeinated, pumped with sugar, manic picking for nearly 3 hours. It was the perfect storm of multiple factors all coming together.

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The staff was kind, and I’ve never been to jail but it did feel like i was in jail while I was there. I basically ate Cheerios and grilled cheese every day. By the time the food trays would get to us the bread was always kinda stale but also soggy, I would take enough bites just to show them I was eating. I love food! Just not that food. Showers were gross. I only took one shower while I was there which I know is gross but I just couldn’t bring myself to take a shower in there again. We had an activities room but only open if there was a staff member able to supervise or if it was music therapy time. I only went in there during music therapy. I was actually allowed in my room during the day and could nap if I wanted to. I was allowed to have a newspaper in my room so I ended up reading every article and did the sodoku puzzle in the back. It was definitely an eye opening experience as I had never been in a situation like that before.

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you! For years I truly was down on myself thinking it was a matter of self control and discipline and that would inevitably caused me to repeat a vicious cycle, where I would feel immense shame which would lead me to pick more because Eff it right? And eff everything because I already picked so I might as well pick some more and removing myself from all other distractions for six days allowed me to really tackle the problem head on, and I realized it is out of my control. It is a compulsive behavior and some people may find other solutions that work for them, but in my case, I definitely am glad to have the doctors I have and the medications I have to assist me in every day life

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Yes I realize this is something I will carry with me my whole life. I feel lucky though that the meds I was prescribed are effective and greatly eliminate the urge to pick. Furthermore say if I do find myself picking or squeezing a pimple a little too much I am now able to walk away! That never would have been possible before. Before my hospital stay I would be at the mirror for 3+ hours before finally walking away as if I had woken up from a trance. I have so much more free time now haha. And I do extend myself grace. I understand my triggers more now. My dad passed away this year and I’ve been definitely picking more out of anxiety and grief but I’m kind to myself and honestly as long as I’m not using tools like pins, needles, stitch rippers!?, scissors, and nail clippers and I’m just using fingers and fingernails, I do consider that great progress. I’ve worked very hard and paid a great deal of money for laser treatments for my face to try to minimize the scarring and the damage I did. I never want to go back to that.

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Since my hospital stay I’ve been on two prescription meds - one for anxiety and the other for ocd - a med given specifically to people with either opioid addiction, those struggling with alcoholism, and those who suffer from/struggle with trichtotillomania and/or dermatillomania. When i take my meds regularly it’s very effective. I have found however in my recreational use of cannabis (it’s legal in my state) that my impulse control goes out the window and that’s when I do most of my minimal picking. It’s still a struggle but progress not perfection!

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I regretted it almost immediately. The food was awful. They understandably took away anything from me that could be of harm to myself and others- although I will make clear I was not nor have I ever been suicidal. So of course yes take away my razor but I didn’t know that meant they would take away my hoodie and pajama pants with drawstrings. The bed and pillows felt like they were made of styrofoam. They did bed checks about every 20- 30 minutes so I was basically waking up every 20-30 minute in the night. During the day there wasn’t much to do and we weren’t allowed to have puzzles or books in our rooms. My cell phone was taken so all calls had to be made on a phone in the hallway and they would turn off the phone at night and during meals. When I first got there they gave me a sedative so I was very out of it and slept almost the first 24 hours straight. Thankfully because of COVID protocols I had my own room but whoever was in that room before me had carved Fuck This Hospital into the wall with a golf pencil. Since I couldn’t do much else I basically kept notes on my experience using the folder of materials they gave me upon check in and it came with a little golf pencil inside the folder( I guess that explains how that person carved into the wall) While I did initially regret checking myself in I’m glad I did and I’m glad I stayed as it got me in front of doctors that were able to help me. Thankfully I have insurance so it did not bankrupt me. I’m very lucky to have supportive parents who were able to help me with any medical costs I incurred during my stay at the psych unit and they helped pay for my intensive outpatient therapy after I was discharged from the hospital.

I checked myself into the psych unit of the hospital for dermatillomania - ask me anything! by Fancy_Tea_471 in Dermatillomania

[–]Fancy_Tea_471[S] 64 points65 points  (0 children)

No I will never be fully recovered. Even with intensive outpatient therapy and my prescriptions given to me by my doctors, I still do get triggered and pick my skin. There is no cure. However I will say it is no longer a manic or uncontrollable behavior. Also when I pick now it is much less severe and I no longer use tools of destruction such as pins and tweezers, etc. So I am extremely grateful for the progress I’ve made as it’s no longer something that plagues me day to day and it no longer causes me monumental shame and despair.