[smackcookies]

I suffer from dermatillomania in the extreme. Its been 9 years now. I have panic disorder and possible bipolar or borderline personality, and when the emotions overwhelm me I claw and dig into my skin. Its a strange feeling. I can't stop. I don't know how. I've thought of everything. I'm on an SSRI and I have adivain for when my panic gets bad but it hasn't made a dent in the picking. I've even considered just suicide. I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas?

[pondbc]

I sympathize. It is frustrating. I find it to be worse after 8 p.m. I only use non-dominant hand. My dermatologist said it is quite common. I have read things like 'resist the urge and the compulsion loses its power'. Sometimes that approach works, sometimes not.
I think we need something like AA meetings for mutual support. I have a pretty good idea why I am doing it but it doesn't help me to stop.
I wish I had something more constructive to offer you. I would be more than happy to talk about this if you want to pm me.

[Purplechick]

I do this too.

I don't realise I do it which makes it really hard to stop it. I try to keep my hands busy but that can't be done all the time.

I find it so soothing too that Im not 100% sure I would want to stop if Im honest....