For me, too, this is like reading my exact feelings. Even down to the hair plucking. A lot of the times it will take twenty minutes to more than an hour of my day. I went from having an occasional zit on my face and some blackheads or a very occasional one on my back a a couple years ago, to having moderate acne, to having severe cystic acne that has spread across multiple face, neck, back, and chest. I have keratosis pilaris as well so the picking extends to my arms and legs. Like you said, sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it, like when I'm reading. Sometimes I literally can't leave the bathroom until I do it, or I will stand there and fight the urge for up to a half an hour before being free. I don't wear make up because my skin was really sensitive to start with, which means that make up just makes it itch, burn, or break out worse. I feel so ashamed. I hate swimming now (something I used to love doing), I can't wear tank tops, I won't wear shorts that show my thighs, and I don't even like wearing tops that are even the slightest bit low cut, even. My skin looks practically diseased. I hate to have my boyfriend touch me, even my face, because he could feel the scars. I'm afraid to wear flattering clothing around him because he could see the full extent of the damage I've wreaked on my skin. I was unable to tell him until only a couple weeks ago, and we've been together for four years now, and even then he nearly had to pry it out of me after I got it halfway out. I have a therapist but I'm so ashamed I can't even tell him about it.

Have you figured out any triggers, or possible reasons you pick? I tend to pick more when I'm anxious (which is often), but the difference isn't much. I think my mom got my started--when I was really young, I would have a single pimple on my face and she would express disgust and instruct me that I go pop it. She even still points out the really bad ones. (I actually have a really good relationship with my mother,so it's weird). She has a tendency to point out my weight as well, when I am actually quite thin.

I honestly have no advice but I thought I might let you know that you're not alone, because finding your post made me sort of happy as well, to not feel quite so alone in this. I wonder if this is a compulsion, or a method of self harm? I've never quite figured out which would be worse, if it is.