[suchalargepillcase]

I'm not really asking a question here or for help more than just venting. But I am so frustrated that nobody will acknowledge my dermatillomania. Automatically it's, "Oh, well, do you have an anxiety disorder? It's a symptom of anxiety?" or "Are you a cocaine user? That will cause skin picking as well." No, and definitely no! I started when I was two years old. Why? Nobody knows. No trauma in my life whatsoever. As my signature indicates I do have panic disorder but that just started in February of 2013. I just pick out of compulsion. Even when it hurts I do it just because. It's been added to the DSM separate from anxiety so I'm hoping when I see my pdoc on Monday he can do something. Anything. Anyone else pick for a reason other than anxiety and drugs? Or just me?

[ItsTheTaste]

Hey!

I just wrote a post about my own picking, and noticed no one ever replied to your question. My answer? Yep, I definitely seem to do it for reasons other than drugs or anxiety.

- most of the time it seems to be sheer habit - just walking past a mirror, or having short sleeves can cause it

- sometimes it happens when I'm very agitated emotion-wise (like sad, angry or worried)

- perhaps also out of boredom?

- lately I've been having a dark suspicion that it might have something to do with, somehow, affirming my own negative body view. Like: because I regard myself as not good-looking, worthless, ugly and unlovable - I somehow try to "create" this image for myself? To give myself a reason to say "see! I was right, I do look horrible!"
No idea, but it's a theory I've been thinking about...

hoping that answers your question

[BlessedRhiannon]

Ya know, I used to think that I picked out of a compulsion. It really, really felt that way to me. It did not feel like a symptom of anxiety. And, I do think that for me there is an element of compulsion to it. However....going on anti-anxiety meds and working on getting my anxiety under control did lessen the urges to pick. It's not 100%. Sometimes I do still feel that compulsion that I must pick, but I'm more aware of it, thanks to the work I've done with my therapist, and I'm able to notice the urge without acting on it.

It really may be a pure compulsive act for you...but it could also be due to underlying anxiety. Just because you aren't having constant panic attacks or have no trauma in your history, doesn't mean that you're not dealing with some level of anxiety. I hid my anxiety so well that no one noticed and I even managed to fool myself for a very long time.

[Nothingbutgone]

I don't do it out of anxiety. I just do it to..well do it. Like on ca rides. My hands have to constantly do something, So when they're not doing anything, I'll just start picking at my arms.

[coolhair]

They've tried to link my picking with anxiety, but I'm not sure, maybe it's just pure habit. But then why would it happen on some days and not others? I like itsthetaste's suggestions.

[gabrielaval]

I dont know why we do it, I am trying to figure out why I am doing it....

Anxiety....
OCD.....
The need to be always doing something...

I think is all of that, I am someone that really can take deep converstions, you know I am a listener and normally I don't tell people how do I feel about anything and maybe is may way to take all out of my system.

My face is pretty damaged.. so Is my lower stomch...

I don't know why you do it maybe is a mixture of everything, but I wish and bet all of you do wish we weren't doing this

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

This reminds me of my last (1st session, yesterday) therapy for my OCD, and I was trying to explain how my anxiety and OCD can be two entirely different unrelated problems, by which she seemed confused, surprised, and/or unconvinced.