Face picking

Amy H · Post by **Amy H** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:08 pm

Hi,
This is very embrassing but I pick my face all the time. I mainly do it before I go to bed for about 20 minutes. I have been doing this for about 20 years now--daily. The only time i didnt do it was when i was pregnant because my belly was so big i couldnt see in the mirror. Plus I was on a constant "high" with being pregnant. My husband every night tells me to stop. I feel like I can't....i will stop for a minute then my thoughts trigger it again to continue. It makes my face look horriable and afterwards i feel horriable. I LOVE doing it when i am doing it. I zone out and think about my day. But afterwards i always feel like crap. I do it to myself. I am seeing a doctor for meds and threapy for panic attacks and depression. However, I have never been able to stop doing this. Has anyone out there ever had an issue wiht this? If so what things did you do whenever you have the urge? I know it should be a matter of just not doing it. But it is now a comfortable pattern and I feel like I HAVE to do it. Does this sound like OCD?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:41 pm

I have a friend who does this too. It really can make you have horrible scars i would go to see someone on this.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:57 pm

Thanks Diggy for your comment. I do see someone and i mentioned it but we havent really dug into this issue yet. Mainly just my panic attacks...I have only gone a few times. I was wondering if they are other people who do this and if so how have they stopped?? What things do they turn to or what do they repeat in their head to make the urgh go away? I have tried promising God I will stop while i am doing it and then I tell him I am sorry...I just have to do it. I know it sounds foolish and i should just know. Your right about the scars. I have a few but nothing that a little make-up can't hide. This has caused me to miss days at school, chruch, group outings, etc. I just feel so ugly and i make myself feel that way.....am just sick or what???

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:09 pm

Oh Amy, I completely understand. My husband gripes at me too saying "you're gonna mess your face up!" I don't pick at it unless i have things to pick at but seems like with the anxiety it's always worse...As for what I do...

I will stop picking and go through the 3 step cleansing process (which takes time) sometimes it's enough time to help me cope with whatever i'm dealing with. If it's not enough time I will clip my toenails or rub lotion all over, anything to occupy my hands.

As for OCD, I'm not really sure, I do have a perfectionists mind but only with certain things (like my face) and I want things clean clean clean so when I see zits or blackheads by golly they need to be cleaned!!! Guess it does sound OCD HUH?

Try telling yourself, "ok only 2 minutes to pick clean and then it's time to clean the correct way with a mask, cleanser, toner and moisturizer (and no lol I don't sell Mary Kay but sound like I do)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:25 pm

Thanks Tweety! I am a perfectionist with my face too. I turn little bumps into pimples by picking at them. I dont really have acne but blackheads on my nose and a bump here and there. But I find them when I need to think. I will use your advise and say "ok two minutes then I will try a mask or a toner, then a moisturizer". This is what i need .....a process to still give me time to think. Maybe allowing myself to still do it for a few minutes will help me feel betterat first and then work up to not doing it at all becasue I will have thought things out by the doing a "clean skin process." Thanks Tweety this is very helpful and much needed! I know it sounds like a duh...don't do it then .....but I think I needed an idea on how not to.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:30 pm

I have picked my face since I was a small child. I will have periods of time (sometimes months) when I wont pick and my skin looks great, but most the time I pick pick pick. I pick with knives, tweezers, whatever is sharp and handy. Right now, my skin looks horrible. I did go to a dermatologist for awhile and he put me on some oral acne meds and a topical cream that cleared me right up and there was nothing to pick, but right now I have a bunch of blackheads and clogged pores. It is so embarrasing. I know how you feel. You are not alone, though.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:46 pm

By picking do you mean acne? Because I constantly pick at my pimples if I have any, constantly, especially if I am very anxious.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:04 pm

I pick any bump, pimple, backhead, an old bump, etc. It is a release for my thoughts or something I do to re-group/think. Hard to explain and it probably sounds weird.
However, I just pick one bump for a sec, washed, put on a drying gel and left the bathroom. This is a big step for me!! I like the idea of keeping my hands busy and a "cleaning routine" that doesnt allow for picking but allows for me to still re-group/think. Like you said bkhjg1219 I will not pick for a little bit (when was pregnant) and my face looked great! My personallity is more out going and I actullay gain some confidence when my face look better. So stupid becasue I dont judge people from their skin. Thanks again everyone!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:15 pm

Oh yeah, I can relate to this one. I find myself picking at anything on my face when I'm under a lot of stress or when I'm just thinking something through. It's an annoying & sometimes painful habit! One I'd like to break.

honeydew3 · Post by **honeydew3** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:23 am

I do this too. I guess I never thought much about it though. My sister does it too and I know many people who do it also.

If you think it might be something obsessive then you might consider a book another poster recommended called "Brain Lock" by Jeffrey Schwartz. I just got it and have begun reading it. It talks about how to control the obsession with 4 steps:
RELABEL - call the negative or intrusive thought what it is. I feel like I need to pick my face.
REATTRIBUTE - It keeps bothering me because I am being obsessive.
REFOCUS - Turn you attention to more constuctive behaviors. Keeping in mind that the message to pick your face is a false message. Refocus on something useful and positive. "shift gears"
REVALUE - revalue those thoughts when they arise and you will learn to devalue unwanted obsessive thought and urges as soon as they intrude.

Refuse to give in. I am sure you have beautiful skin and don't need to pick at it anyway. So, tell yourself what am I doing this for? I don't need to pick my face. And then find something else to do to take you mind off of it.