>how long have you had it?Almost ten years at this point. It started when I was about eleven. My mom mentioned that I had a blackhead on my nose and tried to squeeze it. She couldn't get it out, but I went into the bathroom and used a rubber tooth pick to get it out myself. A year later, I first leaned into the mirror to look at the skin on my chest and then I spent an hour or two picking at my chest. By the end of it, my chest had a bunch of sores and it throbbed and ached. I think that was the last time I ever had un-picked skin.
>where/what do you pick?Originally, primarily my face (mostly my nose, forehead, and above my upper lip), but over time I switched to primarily my chest/breasts/upper back. Now I've started picking at my upper arms and forearms. Feelsbad.
>how does it make you feel?When I find actual acne and express it, it's definitely an instant release of dopamine. Almost a rush. But that's only with actual acne, most of the time It's not actual acne I'm picking at, my dumb monkey brain goes into overdrive and I just pick at whatever remotely resembles acne or a spot or something. It's usually just skin, so it's typically not too rewarding, but at this point it's a force of habit.
>any coping mechanisms/tips?Distract yourself. Stay away from the place you usually always pick at. For me, it's my bathroom mirror. A rule I follow is that I'm not allowed to lean over the sink. Once I lean over that sink to get a closer look at myself, I can't resist. Also, set a timer on your phone when you are where you usually pick. So if I have to use the restroom, I'll set a timer for 3-5 minutes. Stay away from mirrors, especially stay away from magnified mirrors. Chuck out all thinks you use to pick. If you want to pluck your brows or something, set a timer. Try your best to be as mindful and in the moment as you possibly can. Don't try to push away the urge to pick, instead acknowledge that it is something that you want to do, but that it is not beneficial for you and tell yourself to put it off for five minutes. When those five minutes are up, do another five. And another five. And another, until the urge has subsided or mostly subsided.
I'm in the same boat as you, anons. And I know how embarrassing it can be. Some days I don't think it's even worth it to try. I relapse a lot. But in my experience, I
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