Skin picking disorder

[Pink*Lady]

I've picked skin around my nails since I was a teenager. I didn't realise it was a condition associated with anxiety until tonight. When I'm extremely stressed I pick my skin, tear it off in strips which causes bleeding.

Does anyone else do this?

[purplerose]

My sister picks the skin around her nails.
i have a skin picking disorder but i compulsively pick the skin on my back, face and scalp. it makes my anxiety so much worse as i can completely ruin my skin. i try to hide what i do and im to ashamed and embarrased to get any help.

[Bashful]

Yes, I do this too and have done since I was a child. I bite and pick at the skin around my nails, often to the point where my fingers bleed. I've done it for so long that some of my nails don't even grow properly anymore ***55357;***56862;

[far north]

I pick off the ends of my fingernails. (the white bits you trim with a scissors).

Probably not what you're referring to though, I just do it that way instead of using a scissors. Always have done.

[Rocket Spud]

^ I do that. The skin seems to grow a bit excessively at the corners and can be cut back. I wouldn't consider it a problem though.

I used to work with a guy who, when idling, would nearly always be picking at his fingernails - i caught him a time or two going at them with a scapel! They looked so sore, often bloody, it must've hurt handling .. anything with them in that condition.

[companioncube]

i've picked around my finger nails since i was about 10. it was probably at it's worst in my teens and early 20's, often bleeding. i still do it now but no where near to that level.

[Mr. Spaceman]

I compulsively pick at my scalp especially when I'm anxious , or when I'm just bored or pretty much any other time come to think of it. It feels good but my scalp gets red and sore and my shoulders are always covered in skin flakes.

[humphrey]

Yes, Pick at my skin all the time and I also pick at my nails, they both end up down to the wick, sometimes I make the end of my fingers bleed. And I if I have a scab I cannot avoid picking at that, even though I know it will bleed.

[Ajax Amsterdam]

Ah yes, the Impulse-Control Disorder, Dermatillomania. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Dermati...roduction.aspx

I used to do this a lot when I was younger. I'd pick at anything.

I know plenty of people also have problems with another Impulse-Control Disorder, Trichotillomania, where they pull hair out of their scalp, body, eyebrows/lashes... I used to knot and pull out my chest hair.

[Pink*Lady]

Thanks for all your posts everyone. I've been making a conscious effort to stop but I keep doing it without realising.