OCD and Skin Picking
People with OCD often have other mental problems that accompany OCD. A very common one is skin picking. There are many different types of skin picking.
Most common ones are nail picking and picking at acne or other skin imperfections. Even though the two may seem different they are both ways of dealing with anxiety. The reason why people with OCD have a higher chance of getting these additional mental issues is because OCD brings on an extreme level of anxiety. The sufferer does not understand how to properly deal with it and feels overwhelmed. At this point the nails or the skin becomes an outlet of that anxiety.
I have had both skin picking and nail picking problems and I can tell you from my own experience that they are very difficult to overcome. For me, nail picking started a long time before OCD, way back in my childhood. Even now when I have my OCD under control I still struggle with nail picking. It has been so ingrained it is very difficult to break the habit.
Here are a few things I found helpful over the years that reduce the skin picking and give you more self control.
1. Keep your nails short and neat. If the nails look good you will think twice before ruining them.
2. Go to a salon and have fake nails put on. You will not want to bite the fake nail. Also the salon glue is stronger then the store-bought so if you forget and try to pick or bite your nails the glue will hold up.
3. Keep the cuticles nice and neat. Many people also bite the cuticle around the nail so if it is neat and healthy in the first place there is less chance of you wanting to ruin it.
4. Wear nail polish if you can’t afford fake nails. The effect is the same as in part 2.
5. If you pick you face it is a good idea to pit a sticky note on the mirror in front of which you pick so that when you get the urge to pick you will see the note and will get the opportunity to stop yourself.
“The OCD Recovery Program has high recovery rate because of continous text support throughout the day between Ali Greymond and her clients. She guides you through the difficult moments and pushes you to fight for recovery. You are never going to feel alone in your daily battle against against OCD and as long as you follow the program, you will recover.”
OCD Recovery Program Testimonials
I would just like to say a massive thank you to Ali Greymond for all of her help and support through what had to be one of the hardest and most fearful times in my life. Hell sounded appealing to what I was living with- false memory OCD! I’m very private and the thought of telling someone my intrusive thoughts was agonising. I listened to Ali’s shows on YouTube and I knew the best person to help me was her, Ali made me feel so comfortable, I never once felt as though she was judging me in anyway in fact she made me feel the opposite like I was normal and none of this meant anything. She gave me the tools and skyped me every day I felt like She was in the next room the support was amazing. This wonderful lady changed my life, it’s hard work and determination daily but if there’s one person that can help you recover from OCD it’s Ali Greymond. She’s amazing at what she does and me and my family are blessed we found her because I don’t know where I’d be now. Thank you Ali your programme is amazing. (L.)
I came to Ali with a severe case of contamination OCD. Ali graciously offered me an introductory session free of charge. When I asked her when we could start, she said “how about today”? I liked that she was that proactive and willing to jump in immediately. I looked at the packages she offered and signed up immediately for the “Severe OCD” package, because that accurately described the state I was in. Ali almost immediately became my anchor, my support system and friend through this very frightening and lonely disorder. With Ali by my side, I had hope for the first time and I made strides that even surprised me. I was amazed at how quickly I started to recover. It felt like magic to me.
Having been a fellow sufferer herself, she truly understands the disorder. I felt that Ali intuitively knew when to push me through a fear and when to back off. When she felt that I was not ready for an exercise she told me. When she felt that I could push through a fear, she told me and 100% of the time, she was on point! This was extremely important as feeling in control is such a huge element of this disorder. I would recommend anyone suffering with this disorder to work with Ali. She helped me get my life back and that is priceless. (J.)
