Texterview

What does having dermatillomania entail?

An obsessive compulsion to pick at skin. It’s usually a form of OCD or ADHD and can heavily affect your self esteem.

Do you have other related conditions?

None

Do you know what may have caused it?

I suspect undiagnosed adhd or possibly ocd

When did you first start picking?

In my teenage years, around 15.

When were you diagnosed with dermatillomania?

I haven’t been diagnosed professionally

How did you feel knowing that there was a word for what you had? How did your diagnosis help?

Validated mainly. I feel as though I’m not alone with what I deal with and so pleased to find others that understand.

What symptoms do you experience? What areas do you usually pick?

I scan my body, mainly my face subconsciously looking for bumps to pick. Major low self esteem and guilt after picking.

How often do you pick?

Multiple times a day, everyday.

What are your triggers?

Mirrors, low mood, washing my face (as I’ll scan for bumps while touching it), upcoming events or plans, stress, breakouts.

How would you describe how you feel when you pick at your skin?

In the moment I get a sense of satisfaction that is a temporary mood boost. Straight afterwards I feel guilt and disgust, overall a low mood and feeling of not being in control.

Have you ever been caught picking?

Many times by friends and family.

How does dermatillomania affect your day-to-day life?

Severely, I cancel on plans if my skin is bad from picking and stay home way more then is healthy for me. I almost always feel insecure around friends and family.

Are there any potentially dangerous aspects to having dermatillomania? Have you experienced any?

Yes, I’m lucky to have never had complications. However picking, especially severely leaves a risk of an infection which can escalate if not treated properly. Another major danger is to the mental health and mood of the sufferer.

Do you tell people you have dermatillomania or is that something that you hope would remain more of a secret?

I tell people I’m comfortable with and trust, such as close friends and family. I would be more private about it with strangers unless I suspect they deal with it too.

Have you developed mechanisms to manage it?

Targeting my skin texture as that’s a major trigger (investing in a good skincare routine). Avoiding other tiggers such as mirrors. When I shower I use ambient low lighting such as candles (it smoothes the appearance of my skin if I do see a mirror). Usually spot stickers as a barrier (less likely to pick if I’m subconsciously scanning).

Have you had any treatment to help? How effective are they?

None through dermatologists, only my own skincare routine has helped. Keeping my skin texture smoother has not only improved my mood but also given my less bumps to obsess over.

Have you experienced any sort of stigma for having dermatillomania? Did that take a toll on you? How did/do you deal with it?

A lot of people don’t take the condition seriously and think it’s a generic thing to pick your skin once in a while (they don’t accept that in our case it’s much more severe and constant). Because of this they also think it’s easy to stop.

What is your general outlook on your condition?

It’s goes un-acknowledged often and can affect the suffers more than others realise. It’s a difficult disorder to deal with and it’s an everyday struggle.

Have you lost opportunities due to having dermatillomania?

Many times, as mentioned I tend to cancel on plans due to it.

Does dermatillomania have an affect on what you wear or things you do? Is there anything that having dermatillomania has prevented you from doing that you really wish you could do?

Yes, especially when I pick my body or back I tend to want to wear clothes that cover the marks up. With my face I wear makeup when I’m don’t want too or for pointless outings (even swimming) because of the insecurity it causes. It’s prevented me from doing many things, and makes ruins the excitement for future events such as holidays and weddings.

How did/does dermatillomania affect your education?

As I mainly started struggling with it around 15, it affected my motivation to study at college and university mostly. I’d fail to attend many times and when I was there I would have a low mood.

How does dermatillomania affect your career?

It’s made attending interviews hard, some of which may have been a big step in my career. I’ve struggled with keeping jobs, and working full time as many days of the week I would rather be home then be seen.

How does dermatillomania affect your love life?

My partner is very accepting of me and my dermatillomania and reassures me often trying to help where he can. However it can still affect my self esteem with him and therefore lead to things such as low libido.

How does dermatillomania affect other aspects of your life?

It’s affects everything in my present and my view on the future. It’s the main effector of my mood and can be the decider on plans I make.

What did your parents do right and wrong, in raising a child with dermatillomania?

At first both of the failed to understand how complicated and serious it is. Thinking that i could easily stop. However my mum now supports me completely and sympathises. My dad still doesn’t take understand but he has sympathised also.

What are misconceptions about dermatillomania?

That it’s easily fixed or we will grow out of it. That the we all deal with active or severe acne (for me my skin is fairly clear with the odd hormonal spot, most of my triggers come from texture). That we are dirty, or don’t look after ourselves and skin properly.

What do you find is the biggest challenge of living with dermatillomania?

Feeling confident and Incontrol. Also not letting it affect my mood for the day.

What are your fears that stem from having dermatillomania?

Others judging my appearance. Dealing with this forever is a major fear and not being able to find ways to cope.

What are things to NOT say or do to people who have dermatillomania?

Stop picking!! it doesn’t work and is never that simple. That it isn’t a real condition or that we’re being over dramatic.

How do you feel about how dermatillomania is portrayed in media? What are some of your favorite pieces of media with authentic representation?

I haven’t seen much of it, which says something already.

What would you like to say to people who have dermatillomania?

That you’re not alone. I understand your frustration and upset but there are more things in life to be worried and insecure about something you can’t control. Time heals everything, don’t dwell on it or feel guilt from relapsing, there will come a time before you know it when your skin is looking healthy and you are healed.

What would you like to say to parents of people who have dermatillomania?

Be compassionate and considerate. Educated yourself and try to understand.

How do you wish our society would perceive and treat people with dermatillomania?

To take us seriously, and be less judgmental. To educated themselves on the matter to further understand it.

What would you like people to know about dermatillomania?

It almost always stems from an underlying condition such a ADHD or OCD. It’s worth targeting the root cause or seeking professional help to aid the urge to pick.