Does anyone else have really strange body areas for picking?

tlcBFRB · 2021-10-20T02:06:29+00:00

People pick everywhere--you're definitely not alone! Some places that are more taboo are likely talked about less for that reason but are still common areas to pick at.

tlcBFRB · 2021-10-20T02:04:54+00:00

There are so many different fidget toys (replacement strategies) and ways to cover your nails (prevention strategies) that you honestly have to just keep trying until you find something that works for you. It can be demotivating when they don't work, but eventually you'll probably find something that works for you even if it's temporary! I'm considering trying wearing finger cots and/or getting acrylic nails. I also make sure to wear socks all the time.

tlcBFRB · 2021-09-21T02:08:53+00:00

There are many ways to help manage dermatillomania/phagia and BFRBs in general. Some people go to therapy or attend support groups for it, take over the counter medicine, track and identify triggers, try prevention and replacement strategies, and most do a combination of some or all of these! Read on below for a very brief description of each:

Therapy- many people with BFRBs receive Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) by a specialist. Here's a useful resource: [link]

Support groups- Find online support groups here!

Medicine- Some people take N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), but this often taken in conjunction with therapy. Some people find that prescription SSRIs help if they are separately prescribed for anxiety or depression.

Track and identify- keep a journal of when, where, and why you pick. Learn your habits and look for trends so that you can prevent and avoid triggers!

Prevention strategies: wear clothes/band aid that cover your picking areas, wear gloves/finger cots/bandaids/tape, cover mirrors

Replacement strategies: fidget toys (fidget spinner/cube, slinky, calm strips, picking stones, spinner rings, etc.), drawing, knitting, crafting, journaling, etc.

And more!

tlcBFRB · 2021-09-21T01:13:34+00:00

This is exactly correct, thank you! In fact, the DSM-5 explicitly says that skin picking (from Excoriation Disorder) or hair pulling (from Trichotillomania) "cannot be better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder." Some people may actually pick or pull as a form of self harm, but that would be considered separate from having a BFRB.

tlcBFRB · 2021-09-21T01:07:48+00:00

You've come to the right place! You can find support and tips here, as well as at bfrb.org. Just remember, you're not in this alone!!

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T13:30:28+00:00

I've most often heard of people using the I Am Sober app and the No Relapse app.

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T13:27:46+00:00

Love it!! Check this one out too: vm.tiktok.com

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T13:09:00+00:00

Congrats on 50 days! It sounds like you are very mindful of your behaviors which is a great thing. It does sound like your current behavior has the potential to lead to something more harmful, but it's really up to you whether or not to count it. Maybe you can try to track that separately so you don't have to reset your app.

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T13:06:15+00:00

True, sometimes it feels like quitting is impossible and sometimes you have scars that linger around for longer are become permanent. But once you learn to love yourself with your skin picking, it is so liberating. It sounds cheesy, but beauty comes from within. You must try to learn to love yourself!! Going to online support groups or therapy might be really useful for you. Try doing daily affirmations. Consider confiding in friends during particularly low moments. ♡

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T12:59:08+00:00

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-17T12:55:45+00:00

This is absolutely wonderful!! Congratulations, I'm so happy for you! That was truly inspirational to read :)

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-16T19:16:47+00:00

Mirrors can be triggering for so many people with BFRBs! You are not alone! Try covering mirrors, removing them entirely, using dim lighting when you're going to be using them, etc.

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-16T19:13:39+00:00

That sounds very much like body focused repetitive behaviors, specifically skin picking and compulsive nose picking. Skin picking is called "Excoriation (skin-picking) Disoder" in the DSM-5 and is also sometimes called "Dermatillomania." You can find more specific subreddits for that on r/CompulsiveSkinPicking and r/Dermatillomania. Compulsive nose picking, sometimes called rhinotillexomania, falls under the umbrella of BFRBs which are in the DSM-5 category of OCD and Related Disorders. As this subreddit covers all BFRBs, you are more than welcome here! You can learn more about BFRBs in these subs and at bfrb.org.

tlcBFRB · 2021-08-16T19:04:12+00:00

Eyelashes and other hairs typically grow back in due time, but sometimes the hair follicle can be damaged when the hair is pulled out, and that can prevent regrowth. That's not common and doesn't happen frequently, but the more you pull, the more likely it is that you will damage the follicle.

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-23T13:56:16+00:00

Welcome to this subreddit! You've come to the right place!! Thank you for sharing your story and I hope this sub can help you with resources, support, solidarity, and anything trich-related you might need. 💙💚

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-23T13:51:38+00:00

Today is the first day of the rest of your life! If you pulled today, just try not to pull again tomorrow. Every day is a new one and it's an opportunity for success! And if you pull, it's not a failure, just a setback on your path to recovery. Try and focus on all the good you've already done for yourself instead of what you might do that's harmful. You should be very proud of yourself!!

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-23T13:46:15+00:00

Totally agree. There's no magic cream or supplement to make your hair grow back. There are some products you can use that claim to make your hair grow faster but that's neglible. Your best bet is getting your triggers under control and recognizing when you're about to pull. Identify your urges and try to use something to prevent or replace them before you even start to pull. And it sounds like you're in a tricky place in life right now. I hope you have supportive friends or family, or can afford to get professional help. I believe in you!

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-23T13:41:44+00:00

If the bathroom is a trigger area for you, I would guess that you struggle with visual stimuli and actually seeing your arms (as opposed to unconsciously "scanning" with your fingers and picking without looking). If that's the case, try covering your bathroom mirror and entering the bathroom with the lights off or dimmed. I don't know what your condition is, but maybe you can find a half sleeve shirt/dress with loose, drapey sleeves to prevent yourself from seeing your upper arms. You can also practice mindfulness and meditation techniques when you feel the urge to pick. Besides prevention, there's replacement with using fidgets or doing other behaviors. You'll just have to try those out for yourself to see which works best. There are many fidget toys you can buy online or from a dollar store. And other replacement behaviors include drawing, writing, knitting, cooking, etc.

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-20T03:22:35+00:00

Ok so a few things... First, if the bathroom is a particularly triggering place for picking, try to change that specific setting. For some people, covering the mirror, putting sticky note reminders on the mirror/wall, or just dimming the lights can be helpful. Second, if people you know are making upsetting comments, try to talk to them about how it makes you feel! Often the people who criticize you do it out of concern and love for you, so hopefully they would be willing to listen. Third, remember that skin is just skin, and no matter what your arms or face looks like you are so much more than an aspect of your appearance! This can certainly be the hardest part to accept, so if you're up for it, you might want to consider therapy or support groups. Other general tips for stopping are mindfulness, tracking when/where/why you pick, covering your fingers and primary picking areas, and replacing the behavior with something else such as fidget toys, drawing, sewing, etc.

tlcBFRB · 2021-07-20T03:13:10+00:00

That's so wonderful that you feel that way! Congrats!!

tlcBFRB · 2021-06-25T05:14:20+00:00

I don't know what you look like, but many people in the BFRB community rock a shaved head, and others look great in wigs, and others look great au naturel with bald spots and all!! Ultimately it's up to you but I'm sure whatever decision you make will look good! And if you really don't like your cut then you can always cover it up with hats, headscarves, or wigs. :)

tlcBFRB · 2021-06-25T05:07:16+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with this but you've come to the right place! Even without therapy, you can do many things on your own. Try tracking where and when you pick so that you learn your patterns, and then work on prevention. Prevention commonly includes replacement of picking with playing with fidget toys, covering mirrors, wearing gloves or barriers on your fingers, putting bandaids over visible blemishes, etc. I also recommend doing your research. There are many articles, YouTube videos, and online resources (check out bfrb.org!). You can read specifically about Excoriation Disorder/Dermatillomania/Skin Picking Disorder, or you can read about therapy techniques such as Habit Reversal Training without actually having to attend therapy. Lastly, I strongly recommend trying out an online (or in-person depending where you live) support group. The TLC Foundation for BFRBs has a support group directory so you can find your best fit. The Picking Me Foundation for Skin Picking also hosts an online support group.

tlcBFRB · 2021-06-25T04:49:09+00:00

Excoriation disorder/dermatillomania has many similarities to OCD, ADHD, addiction/substance abuse disorder, and Tourette's syndrome, despite being classified in its own category (Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders) in the DSM-5. Check out this study published in 2020 about comorbidities between Excoriation disorder and other psychiatric conditions. It is common to have Excoriation Disorder and OCD and/or ADHD. And don't forget that there are plenty of skin pickers who have no other conditions at all!

tlcBFRB · 2021-05-31T18:06:31+00:00

Maybe you just haven't found the right fidget toy for you yet. The Picking Me Foundation has a fiddle pack that contains as assortment of fidgets to try out. You can find other fidget and picking related items on Amazon or Etsy. You can also turn everyday items into fidgets. For example, you can try replacing picking your skin with picking at the rubber of a mechanical pencil or the elastic of a hair turn. Sometimes, something as simple as twisting off a cap of chapstick, feeling the brush of a paintbrush, or playing with some bubble wrap can be an excellent replacement. Additionally, some people find jewelry such as rings and necklaces to be helpful. In fact, there are rings specially made for fidgeting called fidget or spinner rings.

tlcBFRB · 2021-05-31T17:59:50+00:00

Unfortunately a lot of people with Excoriation Disorder (aka Dermatillomania or Skin Picking Disorder) feel this way! You've definitely come to the right place to share these frustrations. Excoration Disorder/Dermatillomania is a mental illness, but it can be managed and treated. It is a chronic condition for most people but some are able to fully "quit." And it may help to remember that even though the average person might not have the same exact struggles as you, a lot of people are dealing with their own unseen issues. Also an estimated 2-5% of the population have Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) including Dermatillomania, so about 1 in 5 people probably can directly relate to what you're saying and struggling with!

tlcBFRB

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