Guest guest Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 I would do instead earn something good for every day, not every two days. I had to do this with my son and knuckle cracking that was turning into a problem. Subject: Skin Picking To: Date: Thursday, February 4, 2010, 4:54 PM  My 10 year old son picks. He had a tiny pimple on his chin, picked at it and now his entire chin is raw. I have tried everything. He wears a beaded necklace that his is supposed to figit with when he feels the urge to pick, but he says he forgets about it. I found a toy that he really wanted, it came in 7 pieces so he was able to earn a piece for every two days that he did not pick. He chin was healed up by the time he earned all the pieces until... a week later it all started up again. He now earns computer time for everyday he does not pick but it does not seem to be incentive enough. I even told him I would give him $100 if it was completely healed by March. Any suggestions? Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2010 Report Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't pick, but I've found a rubber band around my wrist is good to fidget with, pull, twist, snap, etc. If you're willing to do the $100, what about giving him $1 day (or more) now for not picking and if he picks, he has to pay you that day. Or if you paid $2/day, he has to give you back $1.... Just quick thoughts, > > My 10 year old son picks. He had a tiny pimple on his chin, picked at it and now his entire chin is raw. I have tried everything. He wears a beaded necklace that his is supposed to figit with when he feels the urge to pick, but he says he forgets about it. I found a toy that he really wanted, it came in 7 pieces so he was able to earn a piece for every two days that he did not pick. He chin was healed up by the time he earned all the pieces until... a week later it all started up again. He now earns computer time for everyday he does not pick but it does not seem to be incentive enough. I even told him I would give him $100 if it was completely healed by March. > > Any suggestions? > > Dawn > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 My daughter has always had skin picking tendencies. When she was a toddler, she would pick at her face til it bled. Then when she was older, she would pick at her cuticles until they bled. Now she's in this mode where she twirls her eyebrows. I've asked her why she doesn't just twirl her hair or something (she has long hair), but she says it relaxes her and she has to be able to " feel " what she's doing or it doesn't work. I don't really understand it and I don't know how to help, but I think your idea about the gloves is smart and creative. - N. > > Does anybody have any experience with skin picking? Right now this is > just about the only compulsion that is grappling with, and it's > a nasty one. The OCFoundation newsletter that arrived yesterday had a > study in it, but didn't offer much guidance. > > I've come up with gloves -- both fuzzy angora for nighttime and latex > for times (like last night) when she's on the computer. Also delaying > for five minutes, ten minutes, etc. > > But as always, I hope for the magic bullet. > > Taffy in San Diego > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Hi Dawn, My daughter(13) picks her skin too. She has done it ever since I can remember. At one point I had counted thirty something " holes " in her skin.I remember crying and putting antiseptic cream on all of them, and putting the 34 band aids on her sores, and begging her not to do it anymore. The only thing I found that worked for a short while was a " squishy ball " seeing she picked mostly while watching tv, and I had her hold it ,to keep her hands occupied and squeeze it when she needed to.I have tried the rewards etc, which would work for a short time than she was back to it. She also picks( I should say she rips off her toenails and will tear at her fingernails)I always find blood all over her sheets. She does it more at night lately so I won't see her. I'm sorry I don't have any advice. Nothing has worked for my daughter. I keep telling her she doesn't want scars all over her body.I'm hoping as she gets older it will sink in as to what she is doing to herself. I cringe when she gets a cut or a sore becasue she cannot leave it alone. I wish you the best!! I hope you find something that works.I just want you to know you're not alone! Hugs judy ________________________________ To: Sent: Thu, February 4, 2010 4:54:21 PM Subject: Skin Picking  My 10 year old son picks. He had a tiny pimple on his chin, picked at it and now his entire chin is raw. I have tried everything. He wears a beaded necklace that his is supposed to figit with when he feels the urge to pick, but he says he forgets about it. I found a toy that he really wanted, it came in 7 pieces so he was able to earn a piece for every two days that he did not pick. He chin was healed up by the time he earned all the pieces until... a week later it all started up again. He now earns computer time for everyday he does not pick but it does not seem to be incentive enough. I even told him I would give him $100 if it was completely healed by March. Any suggestions? Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 We've used gloves as well for severe cuticle and finger-skin picking. Somed nights we're applying 3-5 bandaids. She can't seem to stop, even in Prozac 20mg and Buspar 10mg. It's so sad. in WI Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T Re: Skin Picking My daughter has always had skin picking tendencies. When she was a toddler, she would pick at her face til it bled. Then when she was older, she would pick at her cuticles until they bled. Now she's in this mode where she twirls her eyebrows. I've asked her why she doesn't just twirl her hair or something (she has long hair), but she says it relaxes her and she has to be able to " feel " what she's doing or it doesn't work. I don't really understand it and I don't know how to help, but I think your idea about the gloves is smart and creative. - N. > > Does anybody have any experience with skin picking? Right now this is > just about the only compulsion that is grappling with, and it's > a nasty one. The OCFoundation newsletter that arrived yesterday had a > study in it, but didn't offer much guidance. > > I've come up with gloves -- both fuzzy angora for nighttime and latex > for times (like last night) when she's on the computer. Also delaying > for five minutes, ten minutes, etc. > > But as always, I hope for the magic bullet. > > Taffy in San Diego > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Knew someone who suffered... 1. Trim the fingernails close. 2. If it's her face, remove many household mirrors and use timers for bathroom use. 3. Note the times of day and the activities surrounding the picking and do whatever you can to change her routine and provide diversion. You might notice that it occurs during tv time, computer time, reading time (downtime)and you'll see a trance like look on her face (my friend was like this) - this is the time to engage her in a game of cards or baking or something fun and physical or mentally challenging. Encourage regular exercise. 4. Try to talk to her about it (ask her if she wants your help) and allow her to talk about it without making her feel worse than she already does. Don't say much, just allow her to vent about it because that will relieve a lot of anxiety - even if she writes it instead of talking about it. 5. Look into habit reversal training (HRT). It can be anxiety relief she's after it may be more of a habit than a compulsion and it's hard to draw the line. HRT is a form of CBT. 6. There are internet support groups for this and they are very informative - search dermatotillomania (terrible name, I know) and it's related to trichotillomania (hair pulling). Best wishes Bonnie > > Does anybody have any experience with skin picking? Right now this is > just about the only compulsion that is grappling with, and it's > a nasty one. The OCFoundation newsletter that arrived yesterday had a > study in it, but didn't offer much guidance. > > I've come up with gloves -- both fuzzy angora for nighttime and latex > for times (like last night) when she's on the computer. Also delaying > for five minutes, ten minutes, etc. > > But as always, I hope for the magic bullet. > > Taffy in San Diego > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Also wanted to add that some use " tools " remove clippers, tweezers, straight pins, ect. I think HRT encourages a competing response to the urge to pick such as a koosh ball. A click pen (a retractable pen)might also work and it's very portable. Ask her to try clicking instead of picking. Rubber band idea is not bad either. Something to help her sleep at night (melatonin 30 mins before bed) will get her to sleep quicker so that she won't pick. Just some ideas. Remember that it will take a long time to change the behavior, I'm told that it can be as addictive as smoking Bonnie > > > > Does anybody have any experience with skin picking? Right now this is > > just about the only compulsion that is grappling with, and it's > > a nasty one. The OCFoundation newsletter that arrived yesterday had a > > study in it, but didn't offer much guidance. > > > > I've come up with gloves -- both fuzzy angora for nighttime and latex > > for times (like last night) when she's on the computer. Also delaying > > for five minutes, ten minutes, etc. > > > > But as always, I hope for the magic bullet. > > > > Taffy in San Diego > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2010 Report Share Posted February 5, 2010 Found a good website.... Strategies Coping strategies for use during the Invention Module of StopPicking.com Coping Strategy Description Fist Clenching Teaches users how to use the strategy taught by Azrin & Nunn (1973), whereby patients clench their fists for 1-3 minutes to aid in resisting an urge. Hand Toys Suggests a variety of different toys that can be purchased to keep hands busy during an urge. Band Aids/Gloves Suggests putting Band Aids/Gloves on the fingers/hands used to pick to 1) remind them that they are about to pick and 2) remove the sensations associated with picking. Change Activity Instructs the user to physically get up and remove themself from a situation where they are experiencing an uncomfortable urge. Pleasurable Activity Encourages the user to engage in a pleasurable activity such as a craft or hobby that will get their mind off of picking and to distract them from the urge to pick. Keep Hands Away from Picking Location For those people who report stroking or feeling certain areas of their skin, the program recommends that they keep their hands away and avoid looking at these areas altogether. Relaxation Teaches both deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation for use during times of tension or high stress. Consult a Professional Instructs participants to talk with dermatologists, astheticians, or nail technicians to help reduce urges to pick Avoid Mirrors/Dim the Lights Recommends covering up mirrors, dimming the lights, or standing 3 feet from mirrors to avoid visual triggers that can precipitate an episode. Throw Away Skin Picking Tools Suggests getting rid of items which can be a skin picking implement. Thought Busting I Reviews cognitive restructuring for thoughts about skin picking (e.g., " I am a failure because I can't stop " or " My skin looks terrible " ). Thought Busting II Reviews cognitive restructuring for thoughts about other things such as life stressors. Change Posture Instructs participants to change their posture if they tend to sit in positions that assist in their picking. File Nails/Paint Nails Instructs participants to file/paint nails to keep their hands busy and/or to care for their nails and areas surround nails (e.g., cuticles). Barriers Suggests the use of hats, bandannas, scarves, glasses, or other " barriers " to keep hands away from the skin. Ask for Help Instructs participants to ask people around them for help when they are experiencing an urge. Use Ointments/Salves to Soothe the Skin Suggests using ointments or salves to reduce physical sensations (e.g., itching, tingling, etc.) that exacerbate picking. Chew Gum Suggests chewing gum for those people who bite off the root or eat the hair after pulling it out. Avoid TV Recommends not watching television for people whose high risk times are while watching TV. > > > > > > Does anybody have any experience with skin picking? Right now this is > > > just about the only compulsion that is grappling with, and it's > > > a nasty one. The OCFoundation newsletter that arrived yesterday had a > > > study in it, but didn't offer much guidance. > > > > > > I've come up with gloves -- both fuzzy angora for nighttime and latex > > > for times (like last night) when she's on the computer. Also delaying > > > for five minutes, ten minutes, etc. > > > > > > But as always, I hope for the magic bullet. > > > > > > Taffy in San Diego > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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