ADHD/ OCD and skin picking

[Adhdpoobrains]

over the years I’ve always had trouble with skin picking/nail biting and didn’t realize it was associated with my ADHD and OCD. I finally kicked the nail biting, but once I turned about 22 or 23 I noticed it started to get much worse and makes me feel super ashamed. Is there any tips on how to stop skin picking without medication?

[Knitting20projects]

Try googling The TLC Foundation—-has lots of free resources

[Adhdpoobrains in reply to Knitting20projects]

thank you!!

[S639871]

Billiards gloves.

[breadandcircuses]

I've also had issues with nail biting/skin picking. I stopped nail biting as a teenager when I started wearing nail polish - this was long before I ever got manicures - I didn't want to mess up my pretty nails. Skin picking is definitely an ongoing issue for me - I used to gouge the skin on the side of my thumb nearest my index finger until it bled. It took years to stop doing that - I used stress balls and other fidget items whenever I felt like I was going to do it. I've never used any meds for this (not that I'm opposed - meds can make SO much difference). Maybe ask your provider for your ADHD meds about this - they can probably help. Best of luck! I know this is SUCH a struggle.

[SilverbackG]

Hi,

I have had these behaviors my whole life: nail biting and tearing, hair sucking (as a child, lived at the beach, so the salt water taste and very long hair), and skin picking/destroying. I quit biting my nails over 15 years ago and have maintained it. I don't know how, in all honesty.

Skin picking is still a challenge. The treatment I got that really knocked back the desire to pick and peel my skin was TMS (Trans magnetic stimulation). I had it back in 2018-2019 and it changed my depressive symptoms the most, anxiety the second most.

Right now I am using colloid bandaids, called "Welly" that I get at Target. They are small, smooth circles, that I put over the skin "spot" that I am picking at. The "spot" has been there for YEARS. It is truly a" body focused repetitive behavior" or BFRB. I find that the smooth bandaid tells my brain "no skin here to remove" as I run my finger over the "spot" and it stops me. I am working on leaving the "spot" alone, for more days in a row. I am hoping that it will break the cycle, and I can let it be!

Therapy has helped some with this, but it will take me committing to changing my behavior.

Figdget toys and stress balls don't work for me. I crave the feeling of finding a bump or a loose piece of dry skin, then trying to peel it off to feel "smoothness" and of course that isn't the result.

I look for other things to peel. Sounds funny? As a kid we would paint glue on our hands and peel it off once dry. Love that! Recently, we got a new "hard case" suitcase for travel. It came with a thin film of some kind of plastic, it was the perfect thing to PEEL! I did it on and off for a couple of hours. I just have to find more of that to be my "fidget" device, lol.

[Redpanda5]

Medication isn’t used for skin picking. My daughter nearly picked her whole face in 2nd grade. No acne, perfect skin, and she was destroying her face.

Our psychologist used strategies:

1. Find a fidget you like that keeps your hands busy. A spinning ring / a prickly ring / a bracelet / keep a nail file handy / whatever you’re attracted to. When my daughter got older, a pretty manicure slowed her picking drastically.

2. Determine the location where you pick and place fidgets in that spot. Do you do it when in bed? While watching TV? Put fidgets in those spots. Or a quick craft like crocheting or diamond painting.

3. At the end of every day be honest with how well you’ve done. 2 points for no picking and 1 point for admitting you picked. When you reach a certain number of points give yourself a reward. A reward that motivates you.

Skin picking can be life long with ups and downs. It’s all about strategies. Best to you -