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Help with skin picking?

ScottishPixie1985

Hi Everyone!

I've recently been diagnosed with autism  at 38yrs, and am currently struggling with compulsive skin picking on my right arm, particularly the forearm and wondered if anyone had any advice or solutions? It's really beginning to get to me now as it leaves scars and my family (who I live with) aren't really helpful. They don't understand that scolding me for it doesn't work - it winds me up even more.

I'm on medication for anxiety, depression, and pain. I also have a psychology appointment in two weeks time.

Thanks in advance!

Parents

  • I used to compulsively scratch at my hands, causing open wounds both a stress thing and now what I believe is a stimming thing. I also pick the skin around my nails. For me the only thing that helped massively was getting acrylic nails. You cannot pick and scratch like you can with real nails. I’m very fortunate to have found a very lovely neurodivergent nail person which makes it a totally positive experience. I now stim in other ways which cause far less damage, 

    Obviously this may totally not be an option for you.. but I guess the point is if you cannot find something that physically stops you, maybe try something to replace the need to do it? 

  • in reply to Sloan

    I'll manicure my nails short and see if that helps, and look into a salon near me that could help. One councillor suggested having a hair tie or rubber band round my wrist and snapping it every time I felt the need to skin pick - have you tried this, and if so did it help at all?

  • in reply to ScottishPixie1985

    Yes, I wore elastic bands round my wrists for years and it did help. Try it.. you’ve got nothing to loose! 
    I think it’s about replacing the sensation of skin picking with something else… I guess it’s almost like giving up smoking, and vaping or chewing gum instead, replacing one habit for another more safer one :) 

Reply
  • in reply to ScottishPixie1985

    Yes, I wore elastic bands round my wrists for years and it did help. Try it.. you’ve got nothing to loose! 
    I think it’s about replacing the sensation of skin picking with something else… I guess it’s almost like giving up smoking, and vaping or chewing gum instead, replacing one habit for another more safer one :) 

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