Paging Dr. WW - face picking edition

AuntFlo · February 2012

I'm a compulsive face picker.   I can control myself during waking hours, however I can't control myself when I'm asleep.   It's absolutely ridiculous.   You should see my face right now - - I think about 40% of the surface of my face is picked at and popped pimples that have caused more breakouts.   I'm a mess.   This hasn't happened this badly in a long time.
And you should see my pillowcase, too.   This morning it looked like I had murdered someone. I'm just glad I was able to wake myself up when I did.
I also can get compulsive about my fingernails and toenails, blackheads in my ears and even picking my nose.   All while I'm asleep. Yes, I have clipped my toenails - very short - while I've been more than half asleep.
So, what the hell is wrong with me????
Does anyone else have this problem???
I'm sure it's a mental health issue, and I'm already on meds for a few of those.

(And if you all already didn't think I was crazy, you do now.)

Wzz · February 2012

i guess it's the same issue sleepwalkers have. i'm sorry about your face.

MinM · February 2012

I sleep walk and it is usually associate with severe anxiety or stress (or, certain medications). I've also made the bed and emptied the dishwasher in my sleep.

Where are you with you other mental health issue(s)? Is something going on that is particularly stressful? That is where my mind goes.

Have you tried wearing gloves?

When I was on Lunesta, I had H tape the fridge shut and hide my keys. I didn't want to kill anyone and if I am going to get fat, I'd better enjoy what gets me there.

**O-Face** · February 2012

Wow, I have no input. I am a horrible face picker while NOT asleep, and seeing my skin improve without picking has helped me stop. I'm sorry, I am no help.

AuntFlo · February 2012

When I was pregnant and had PUPPPS, I would scratch so much that I'd bleed.   I tried wearing gloves then, but I'd just take them off or managing to scratch through the gloves.   So I will try that again.   I mean, my face is horrendous - I have to find soemthing that will stop me.
I don't feel like I'm under any more stress than normal.   Just the daily struggle of trying to "do it all" not that I do do it all.
I haven't had any panic attacks in quite a while, so my anxiety seems to be in check.
I don't know...   I guess I need to make an appointment with my therapist.

Wzz · February 2012

you might think your anxiety is in check, but maybe it's showing itself in this way instead of with panic attacks. just a thought. often, i think i have my anxiety uner control and then i get that panic attack on the horizon feeling.

good luck.

hmonkey · February 2012

i would also make an appointment with your dermo. they might have something to calm the inflammations so you don't have as many things to pick.

AuntFlo · February 2012

Thanks. I just made an appointment. I hate not being in control of things.

MizBiscuit · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_paging-dr-ww-face-picking-edition?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:b5f49c76-5088-4f3b-beeb-58f218d82dd0Post:fd0acc1f-51eb-4f61-87ca-783a2143bf85">Re: Paging Dr. WW - face picking edition</a>:
[QUOTE]you might think your anxiety is in check, but maybe it's showing itself in this way instead of with panic attacks. just a thought. often, i think i have my anxiety uner control and then i get that panic attack on the horizon feeling. good luck.
Posted by Wzz[/QUOTE]

this would be my guess too. There are times when I think I have my anxiety perfectly under control only to realize it is just showing up in twitches instead of panic attacks. Is itchyness/dry skin a side affect of any of the medications? It could be that your skin is dry and itchy and thats what promps the sleep picking.

AuntFlo · February 2012

Every medication I'm on (for various things - diabetes, depression, allergies, IBS, acid reflux) causes skin sensitivity and dryness. It's so bad that the surface of my eyeballs are even "chapped" and I can't wear my contacts anymore and am under the care of a doctor for that... Remarkably, with all the dryness I still get pimples.
This all adds up to the perfect storm of I AM A MESS.

MinM · February 2012

I agree with hmo on seeing a derm and yes, to what zilla said, about latent anxiety.

hmonkey · February 2012

and maybe wear a jason-style hockey mask all the time.

MinM · February 2012

Seriously, I am amazed and scared that you scratched through gloves.

MrsMyrtle · February 2012

Dude, I do the same thing (not as badly, but still). I wake up picking zits and scratching at my face. It's like I'm dreaming it, and when I wake up, I think I'm still dreaming, so I don't stop. I HATE it.

AuntFlo · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_paging-dr-ww-face-picking-edition?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:b5f49c76-5088-4f3b-beeb-58f218d82dd0Post:24ad8a46-3885-4b60-accb-65d97025ba26">Re: Paging Dr. WW - face picking edition</a>:
[QUOTE]Dude, I do the same thing (not as badly, but still). I wake up picking zits and scratching at my face. It's like I'm dreaming it, and when I wake up, I think I'm still dreaming, so I don't stop. I HATE it.
Posted by MrsMyrtle[/QUOTE]

Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only dirty face picker, Myrtle!

Paging Dr. WW - face picking edition

Re: Paging Dr. WW - face picking edition

Choose Another Board

Search Boards