[piercethealyx]

Hi, I'm Alyx and this is my first post.
I'm 15 and have had depression since 12. Recently in the past couple of months I've had urges to peel the skin off my face or be skinned. I don't know why. I'll grab at my face and try to rip my cheeks off. I'll wish for someone to take a knife to me and skin me alive. I can't see a therapist or anything like that, because I would have to ask my parents, and they think my depression is caused by social media (even though it's not) and they would take my phone away, which is the only way I can talk to my one friend who actually bothers trying to help. Is there a name for this desire? What's wrong with me?

[Yzen]

Hi Alyx,
I am not a doctor so my thoughts here could be completely wrong. But, it sounds like you might be experiencing Excoriation (it is also called Dermatillomania) which makes you want to scratch at your skin. I think it is sometimes brought on from anxiety. I don't have the disorder but have another skin disorder caused by anxiety.

To find out about Excoriation, here is a few links I found :
Skin Picking Disorder (Excoriation): Symptoms, Treatment, and Causes
The ABC's of Dermatillomania / Skin Picking Disorder

You could talk with your parents and tell them you want to see a therapist about it.

[ExhaustedMom]

Hi Alyx

Please do talk with your parents about this. And if you feel you can't, can you talk to a social worker at school or something? There is also Crisis Hot Lines you can reach out to. Can you go see your family doctor?

[Fizzyo]

Thanks ExhaustedMom, I agree.

You really need to talk to someone. If you speak to someone at school, maybe they can help communicate what is happening to your parents so they understand a bit better?

Talking to someone, be it school counsellor or a helpline will help you work out a way forward.

Best of luck, I really, really hope you get the support you need.