I Have A Compulsive Picking Disorder | Overcoming Dermatillomania | Storytime

[@MichelleKelly1698]

I pick at my gums to this day since I was a child. I always wondered why I do this and even tried to look it up and found nothing. But this is great to hear that I’m not alone. I would do the same thing, if chew my nails and use it to poke at my gums, sometimes Id get my mail stuck in my gums and my mom would have to help me get it out. I try not to do it but I do it every day, but mostly I constantly use my tongue to touch around my gums when I can’t poke them to the point where my tongue gets sore and tired yet I can’t stop. Super crazy

[@anklemuncher1171]

this is the best description of my experiences

[@saravalentina9959]

Omg i do the exact same thing it's so Nice t know i'm not alone because i constantly feel so crazy abour this its awfullll

[@tameramccauley9131]

I have a version of that where I bite the insides of my cheeks. It happens when I'm depressed or anxious.. so I found that "breathing" my way through those times forces me to make a choice. Either breathe through it or give into the urge to bite my cheek. I still give in sometimes, but the breathing has helped me a lot. It's a process.

[@fizz-pip]

This is now what my compulsion is, too. I have tried breathing but that makes me anxious because I wheeze from asthma. At the outset - I got chicken pox at about the age of 3 - I compulsively picked at the pox and still have scars on my face to this day. When I was between the ages of 5 and 10, I bit my finger nails and the skin around them to open wounds - I picked up warts on my hands through the open sores, which forced me to stop chewing my finger nails. That was when I reverted to pulling my hair out - one strand at a time - I had large bald spots and spiky patches of regrowth. Got me teased the most in primary school. Then I started getting pimples, and of course picked and popped to my hearts content until I was a young adult. Thankfully I do not have much scarring from that phase. When the pimple phase stopped, I began chewing the inside of my cheeks. But I temper it with a scratch pattern on my hands. I take something pointy but not sharp enough to cut - fingernails/tip of a pen lid kinda stuff, and trace the crease lines of my palms and fingers. It's the least damaging of all my compulsions, so I stick with it - but I often find I'm still chewing the inside of my cheeks.

[@moonchild66]

I do pick at my face... Spots... Used to bite and tear skin from my nails until they bled... Wear acrylics now... Has stopped me doing it!!!! 💐💐💐💐💕💕💕💕💕

[@earthvariety]

I have nothing but respect for you for sharing that! And I'm so proud of you for throwing it away. Best thing is that you've acknowledged it and are doing something about it. That's what counts. :) I actually got into vaping a few years ago because I started out trying the favors. And the action of having something and all the good favors kind of became like a crutch for my anxiety. I had noticed myself doing it more often and last month, I noticed a difference in how I was breathing. It scared me so I just quit cold turkey on 5/20/22 and haven't touched it since. I had been doing it every day for the past 3 years and I'm proud of myself for being able to stop now. Never going back!

[@sokerloco23]

Thank you for sharing! I used to pick at the skin around my nails until I bled, and it took years to realize it was from anxiety 😥

[@Mandapuggo_]

Thank you for sharing this! I pick at my acne scars, I think it has to do with hating the feeling of scabs on my face, boredom but also a lot of anxiety. I’m trying to stop because I know it makes it worse.

[@jacobodell1516]

I'm struggling with this for years now. Happy to know I'm not alone.

[@lauriedumas7537]

I think we all have a thing, and thanks for sharing yours :) I'm a germaphobe, and I wash my hands and Purrell so often that I'm sure it's OCD too. During the height of covid my hands were bruised from scrubbing so hard. Good on you for recognizing and dealing with your thing!

[@sophiejune4515]

I've been watching a lot of videos lately on mental health and behavior disorders. It's so much more common than most people think.

[@faithyb1114]

I used to pick the skin on my lips until they bled (still do sometimes). I didn’t know that it was due to anxiety until I became an adult. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@L.Boogie589]

Thanks for sharing, I pick my nails until they bleed at least once every two weeks or so. Whenever the skin heals I pick it again. I have been doing this for years, most at work to the point where I get embarrassed and have to ask for a band-aid at work. I used to finger comb my curly hair and when knots would form I would pull them out. As a child I would bite my nails but I haven’t done that in forever. All of these nervous habits I never related to anxiety but they are definitely coping mechanisms.

[@alyssadouglas6431]

Wow thank you so much for sharing I’m so happy you were able to throw out that dental kit to try and eliminate that temptation if it does pop up. I can definitely relate I have something called keratosis pilaris which is a skin condition that causes little bumps on your skin kinda like tiny pimples mainly on your arms and legs and I’m definitely a picker when it comes to those and it can be so satisfying in the moment because I just want to squeeze the stuff out of the bump so it goes flat but in the end I do more damage than good and end up getting so mad at myself, it’s something I’m working on trying not to do but it’s definitely hard that’s for sure. Thank you for always being so honest and sharing your true self you’re one awesome person Jacy!! 💗💕

[@JacyErin]

Thank you for sharing Alyssa!! I can totally relate to that satisfaction at the time of picking, but knowing you will regret it later. Hope you are managing your urges and staying mentally healthy these days ❤

[@The_Gamer.139]

I have a bad habit of picking dead skin off my thumbs. I would be so obsessed doing it that sometimes I pick until it bleeds, but sometimes I pick until I get that pain sensation that feels good when I bend my thumb. I never really looked into whether this was a disorder, but I had a feeling it was. Thanks for making me aware of it and now I know it has a name.

[@fizz-pip]

Thank you for this. I've known it's a compulsion disorder for a while but seeing so many others with similar stories is helpful. I've had this issue in various forms evolving my whole life, starting with picking chicken pox, moving on to chewing fingernails, then pulling out my hair, picking at pimples, chewing the insides of my cheeks and pulling off dead skin from eczema. I've never been able to stop this habit as a whole, currently relying on a "scratch pattern" in the palms of my hands which at the very least doesn't scar or create wounds, though I still return to some of the older ones despite the long term effects like scarring. Genuine respect to you, well done, and thank you for the strength it took to tell your story in such a public way.

[@Mega0003000]

We love your videos so much Jacy! Never stop telling us stories lol 😭

[@mo3755]

💯 agree with you

[@superkagome]

Thank you for sharing!! The algorithm is doing ya good and you popped up in my recommended (one of your bumble videos) then I found this!! I also love the feeling of something sharp pushing on my gum line and do it passively. My bad habit that became a full blown mental health issue is hair plucking. I keep it to my legs now (used to pick my face) and if I’m going through something I can accidentally pick and dig every single hair from my lower legs. It sucks because then they’re all gross and bloody with little holes but it becomes such a strong compulsion.

[@JacyErin]

I can totally relate to the feeling you’re describing, it’s such a strong compulsion, but something about the grossness makes it more satisfying?? Hoping you’re doing better mentally now and don’t feel the need to pick as much 🥺

[@ytmm1]

seeing a youtube video and it's comment section repeat back to me my exact experiences with gum picking is crazy. I seriously appreciate you for providing some much needed perspective on this, without this I would have continued to shamefully pick my mouth behind closed doors not even knowing why, like I have for my whole life. never has a youtube video changed my life like this one has, now that I have a place to start the idea of one day quitting picking my gums is actually tangible. saw this several months back and now im gettin treatment for it

[@theresahubert1580]

Okayyyyyy, me too, just thought it was a habit 😬. Also, I love that shirt on you. I think with your hair done that way , the shirt stands out somehow. Thanks for sharing.

[@kristinabeck2174]

I got acrylic nails which helped me break the habit because it was hard to pick with thick nails. I use retin A for my acne and hyperpigmentation. I got a morning and night skincare routine. I broke the skin picking habit but, I realize it is gonna take time to fix the damage I have done to my skin

[@tiffanyn480]

I have both... I pick my skin and pull hair out of everywhere. I lasered my underarms and my pubic region to try to keep myself from doing it...but my legs are another story. I impulsively pull the hair out if my head and my legs. Causing scabs...that I continue to pick at... I also pick the skin around my nails. I have ADHD, OCD, PTSD and severe anxiety... medicated and in therapy...it never goes away.

[@hillstoneministries6374]

I’ve always picked at my face and leg hair my whole life. Never said that out loud before.

[@delturge]

Jacy, stay well. You are a blessing to KZbin, and stunning to watch and listen to. It's almost like you're an AI, and I'm not hitting on you. I can't believe that you are a real person. All the best to you in all of our endeavors.

[@coffeebean3627]

Thank you so much for making this! I have pretty severe dermatillomania (made worse by vyvanse) and sometimes spend up to 4 hours per night picking my face. Supposedly NAC (an OTC supplement) helps people with body focused repetitive behaviors. My derm and psychiatrist recommended it. I haven't benefitted from it but maybe someone reading the comments will!

[@nofearonlylove21]

Thank you for sharing this Jacy

[@leoobrien2377]

Jacy can you do a video on your favorite songs?

[@ericweiner194]

44 year old male with ASD/OCD that has been picking my bottom incisor gums since the age of four. The satisfaction is immense but i cut down on this habit by a lot as the recession is REALLY bad.

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

I battle it too 💜(skin picking)

[@cpklapper]

My paranoia about becoming unhomed and unofficed got a jolt from the earthquake and aftershock yesterday, but I managed to direct my energies toward cooking and making a batch of citrusade. Later this morning, I will make some marmalade.

[@duckscitomaster1308]

i’ve been picking at my gums since i was in kindergarten. In early 2022 it got so bad i was cutting them open with razors and stabbing them with needles

[@JacyErin]

Wow, that's a scary progression. Hope you're managing it better and staying healthy now!

[@duckscitomaster1308]

@@JacyErin i’m much better now. My psychiatrist recommended a supplement called N-Acetylcysteine which has helped a lot. And i’m getting a gum graft soon to cover up my roots

[@moonchild66]

Appreciate you sharing this with us.... I totally get what u mean by the control factor.... I just tidy tidy and make sure everything is symmetrical...ocd ish I think....woukd deffo to be healthy to throw away that kit💯🙏no judgement here💜glad u can share with us.... Will deffo help others with similar issues.... Why I like u Jacey.... Ur real.. Not fake... And a lovely person... Stay blessed 🙏🙏🙏🙏🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@nexusfairy3038]

I clench my teeth all night long when I'm asleep.. then do it during the day because of stress. My teeth are all flat and the same length across. It sucks. I hate how my teeth look now. The inside of my cheeks are also constantly chewed.. and don't even get me started at picking at my gums.

[@gina1419]

I used to pull my eyelashes out when I was in middle school. I had major bald spots on my lashes and I almost had none left. That’s when I knew I had to stop because everyone was telling me they’d never grow back. (They did of course). But what helped me stop was a friends mom told me to play with a piece of yarn whenever time felt like doing it. And it did the trick! Now these days when I get stressed or anxious I play with the tips of my hair. Not as damaging and pulling out the eyelashes but gives me a similar feeling on my fingers. Would love to get to point of not having these feelings. But for now I’m just thankful it doesn’t change my appearance.

[@JacyErin]

Thanks for sharing Gina! I agree, you almost need a safer distraction from picking but still gives you that satisfaction. Hope you’re doing well and managing the urges ♥️

[@stitchthemagnificent2240]

I'm having a realization! I pick at the inside of my lips when I'm really anxious literally until they bleed and turn into canker sores lol. I can relate in a sense

[@jessikaJ575]

OMG! I'm a nurse and I didn't even know this was a disorder!? I pick at the inside of my ear, cuz I have eczema. I get so into it, that I use tweezers to pull at the skin. I'm doing it as I binge on your videos cuz I just found this channel today lol

[@DeniseJames-v5d]

Thanks for making this video.

[@milkchocolate6212]

Thank you for sharing with us! 😊 I just found your channel and I love your videos! I’ve been genuinely dying of laughter at your jokes and sense of humor 😂💜 Please don’t ever feel like you HAVE to post if you don’t want to, however anything you share is more than welcome!

[@sweaters_and_harmony9525]

Yes, I have one for you. When I was in high school, I used to LOVE to tug on my earrings and even...suck on them! (hides face) The good news is that I have resolved the issues in my life that led to that behavior back then. No more tugging or sucking (excuse the double entendre lol). But now, I do have rather large ear piercing holes and probably will for the rest of time. But oh well! Life goes on, right?

[@ninamichelle6080]

I’ve been a scout picker since I was 15. I know this is gross but I do it when I’m anxious and the bigger the flake the more satisfying it is. I always observe them after I pick them out of my head and hair and sometimes I pull hair out with it. I hate that I do that but it’s just so satisfying and I always feel so gross afterwards

[@krishimes8217]

I do this, i use my finger nails all the time

[@AfricaManChad]

I pick out knots in my hair

[@rfrancoi]

I really hope that you are doing very well.

[@nofearonlylove21]

I've wondered for a while now if I have this disorder and I think its related to my adhd. I have skin picked since I was a kid. I am 33 now. I scratch my scalp to pick any dandruff off and pick at scabs on my scalp so much that they create more scabs for me to pick. I notice I do this when I'm in not the best mental space or I'm bored or I'm watching a movie and a character is going through something stressful, therefore I get stressed and do it. I do it every single day. I also chew my tongue when im concentrating or stressed. I notice it a lot when I'm driving and im zoned into my anxious thoughts or day dreams. I chew the sode of my mouth sometimes. I also clench my teeth a lot. I also still pick my nose like I did as a kid. Its very upsetting that I still have these compulsions I had as a kid. I can control it mostly around others because I am very self aware, especially socially. I wish I could stop and I think at certain points when I was younger I was able to find a way to stop for a short time but idk how I've gotten to this point where I still do it at this age. I just get frustrated with myself. I dont want to do it.

[@anunsashtray8244]

It hurts 😢

[@MidnightSkye94]

I constantly do this all the time, once it bleeds I go brush my teeth and it relieves it for a lil bit.. I had braces for 5 years they came off February 1st 2021 , I started gum picking in August 2022 and just can't stop, I have a retainer for night times always as I constantly teeth grind ever since I was 12 , I'm 30 this year.

[@anunsashtray8244]

@@MidnightSkye94 thank you I was just disassociating and picking and your comment helped bring me back & stop

[@karimabuzeid5974]

I have never related to something so much in my life. I’ve bit my nails and “flossed” with them since I was a kid but very recently messed up my gums because I developed a habit of picking them with my fingers and tongue while driving or watching tv. Do you have any updates or tricks to help stop?

[@guineveremoonmist1060]

Thanks for sharing! Xoxoxo

[@BrandonDavidMusic]

I literally do all the same things you used to do

[@qasave8454]

17 seconds in and i’ve already been called out