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Finding A Way To Combat Skin Picking Disorder (Dermotillomania), When You Have Plaque Psoriasis And Scalp Psoriasis. Any Ideas?

A MyPsoriasisTeam Member asked a question 💭
Candia, NH

As many of you know, psoriasis comes with a great deal of sub diagnoses, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, fibromyalgia, panic disorder, PTSD, etc. Unfortunately, I have a diagnosis of several of these things to include Dermatillomania, a skin picking disorder that falls under an anxiety/OCD disorder. This tends to happen when I become anxious, upset, angry, and I do not know how to manage my emotions in a proper manner due to a lifetime of improper behavioral and emotional reinforcing. I am… read more

July 5, 2019
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A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

When you get the urge to scratch try getting up and doing something that you love that involves the use of your hands. I find that involving my mind and hands in this way helps me and may help you. Good luck and hopes this helps.

July 7, 2019
A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

I do the same thing as well. I have recently picked up crocheting in order to keep my hands busy and off of my psoriasis.

July 18, 2019
A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

Feeling you! I’ve had psoriasis, celiac for over 35 years and have had all of those symptoms and side affects,
could I suggest cooling down your body’s core it my help with the itching, and less expensive treatment.. it can be done with foods and gives your hands something to do , and the brain something else to focus on rather than scratching , I say that even though I know that sometimes it’s just impossible to not itch 🙂
Celery juice helps 👌 very interesting information about it on web
MM Anthony Williams . Good luck

July 9, 2019
A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

Hi, I know your post is quite old, and to be honest I don't have a lot to say that will help, other than me too. I have been diagnosed with excoriation disorder (it's the term my doctor used) I compulsively pick at lesions, flakes, bumps, even nothing, on my scalp. I think a lot of people responded with advice for itching, and that can be helpful, but if you are anything like me then it isn't about itchiness. It is an inside motivation that is completely inexplicable that drives me to pick at my scalp. I have been doing this since I was a freshman in high school, picking the same spots for multiple hours a day causing bleeding and pain. I apologize if this is oversharing but I have a hard time finding people who have the same experience. I finally sought help when parts of my hair grew in straight from strain, and that is when I also got my psoriasis diagnosis. I find doing my best to manage my skin helps, it's easier not to pick if there is less to pick (however that is not often). Being honest with yourself and forgiving, it's okay we are only human. I also crochet which distracts for a while until all of a sudden I've stopped and my hand has somehow drifted up to my head. I even pick my lips and skin on my ears when my head needs a break. I have taken to following a routine, which does the best to break my habit and reset my mind. I think my therapist called it mindfulness. If you can, when you notice you are picking get up, stand up, remove yourself from that spot and go do something else. For me, I brush my hair, braid it, and put a hat or bandana on (which is also a physical barrier). I have done that several times within one hour, just constantly retraining myself to stop, pull yourself out of it. Say I'm stopping now, and try your best not to start again. I will say it again though, be patient and be kind to yourself. All you can do is try to be better than the day before and if you aren't, then try again tomorrow. I've had moments where I look in the mirror and cry asking myself why I can't just stop, and it's hard not to beat yourself up, but please try. I wish you the best, and I hope things work out.

March 31, 2020
A MyPsoriasisTeam Member

I suffer with the same thing constantly and went searching for an answer and found this. For a year, I’ve worn pants and long sleeves because it looks like something has been gnawing all over me. I sometimes put an icecube on the spot that’s itching. But I found this on the internet, picture is from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/skin-picking-diso...
Putting on gloves 🧤
And not letting your nails grow long are good ideas for me! I hope it helps others

March 3, 2020

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