How to stop body picking

moo-moo · Post by **moo-moo** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 8:43 pm

this will probably sound really weird and freaky, but in sixth grade i found a really bad habit. i would scratch and pick at my scalp until it would bleed. i stoped in december, but i have been having urges to do it again. i sometimes dont even notice that i am scratching at my head until my friend points it out. does anyone have any advice to stop the urges, or even better, can anyone else relate to it. i also sometimes pick at my arms or my legs. i would really like some advice on it.

Licentia Poetica · Post by **Licentia Poetica** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 1:22 pm

Just with this specifically, I find it's helpful to find something to with my hands.

Either get an elastic and flick it on your wrist, or just... make sure you're doing something that takes up the use of your hands.

moo-moo · Post by **moo-moo** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:02 pm

thanks, i'll try that, i really want it to work.

Quiet little Angel · Post by **Quiet little Angel** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 6:38 pm

i pick my scalp too... and i find, just as LP said, it really helps if i keep my hands busy... i normally click my nails, or just rub my fingers together... or cross them... i look like a spaz but it works... i've also found that just playing with a pencil will do the trick... basically keep your hands busy...

moo-moo · Post by **moo-moo** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:04 pm

will try

lotus · Post by **lotus** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:40 am

Keeping my hands busy helps me too, as does trying to be aware of when I am doing it so I can catch myself and say "I'm not gonna do this right now" and then I can stop myself as soon as I notice I am at it again.

For me it becomes such a blind habit that I really have to work at just noticing when I am doing it so I can stop myself. Eventually, sometimes I will stop for long periods. But for me it doesn't feel SI-related, but feels like some sort of random compulsion.

katja · Post by **katja** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:24 pm

I'm always scratching my head! I'll bet it looks like I'm confused all the time. I dunno if I can stop it!

recovering4me · Post by **recovering4me** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 12:44 am

i do the same thing. i pick at my thumbs really badly and my legs and arms... i'll try the keeping my hands busy thing

moo-moo · Post by **moo-moo** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:02 pm

I have almost completely stopped because of your advice E. THANKYOU SO MUCH.

the edge of the world · Post by **the edge of the world** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:47 am

I pick at my skin too. Agreeing with the keeping the hands busy advice. When I really need to focus on not doing that, I twist a strip of paper around in my fingers or around one as tight as I can and then rip it off... weird habit, but not so destructive.

balletomane · Post by **balletomane** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:57 am

wearing gloves when you're alone can help you be more aware of it too. I pick at my face and that helped me stop for a while.

Windswept Thumb · Post by **Windswept Thumb** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 2:55 am

*SI*

I pick at my body also, but it is usually worse when I am feeling the need to cut. It seems to replace the cutting for me temporarily. Unfortunately, the only way I have found to stop picking is to cut.

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How to stop body picking

How to stop body picking

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