how to break an addiction?

hey i’m not sure the title is accurate but i couldn’t think of anything better

basically i’ve been struggling with skin picking for my entire life

it started small

picking some overhangs and scans around my nails at 6

nothing too serious

as years went by it evolved into pretty severe skin picking, where i wasn’t able to go a day without making a lesion

and recently (like in the past year) the habit developed into full blown dermatilomania

i keep on picking to the point where my lesions can’t heal properly

the worst of it is i started picking skin on my heels to the point where i can’t walk properly anymore and when i do it causes me a lot of pain

it catches up to me in the evening when i’m bored

i’ve been advised to “occupy my hands with something” but what nobody seems to get is that it’s something i do absentmindedly i’m not sure what to do anymore

does anyone have similar experience or am i beyond help at this point ?

have a nice day

dx1,

Recognize your behavioral triggers. Could be anxiety, stress, etc. Try to actively recognize how you’re feeling before you engage in an addictive behavior, and then either do a substitute activity or find ways to (calmly) move your thoughts or feelings to a different place. The key concept is to divert your thinking that produces the addictive behavior.

Just my two cents, not a doctor but have broken an addiction or two.

aslafoo,

thank you for response i’ll try my best to be more “conscious” of my habits hopefully i’ll get myself together and make it

congrats on breaking your addictions! maybe it’s not my place to say it but hell you should be proud of yourself cause this shits hard congrats again and have a great day :)

somethingsnappy,

So sorry, dear one. I have had many physical ticks, habits, addictions. Only one has been terribly damaging. I haven’t been able to stop that one, but I have been able to stop some. My technique has been replacing a harmful one with one less harmful. I’m not sure I have specific advice other than to talk to a psychiatrist. In the most stressful time of my life, I managed to stop chewing my nails by taking anti anxiety meds. When life evened out, I didn’t need them anymore (now I am meticulous about nail clipping and filing). I stopped picking at my feet when I got a foot rasp. Using it after baths with just my feet in the tub it felt like I got what I needed without hurting myself. Keep working, but professional help is best.

aslafoo,

thank you for taking your time to respond i’ve never considered a foot rasp before but maybe i should really give it a try thank you again have a nice day

dave_baksh,

Buy some cotton gloves - anytime you’re in a situation where you know you might pick, wear them. This has worked very well for me (nail biter).

DocMcStuffin,
@DocMcStuffin@lemmy.world avatar

I used to bite my nails. All the way down to the quick. Did that for 20 something years. Finally wanted to stop. I did two things. 1. I became very conscience of when I felt like biting them. 2. I painted them which created a disincentive. After about a month or so, I had no desire to bite.

Maybe get some eczema cream or moisturizer to put on those spots you want to pick at? When you catch yourself doing it, substitute another activity? IDK.

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