Stimming: skin-picking VS nose-picking

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Re: skin picking, I can't stand rough spots or bumps, inconsistencies in my surface tissue, so I pick, scrape, scratch, whatever I have to do to flatten out the skin & get rid of the rough/bumpy bit.
Drives me batty to have itches I can't scratch, wish I could find a companion who was also well-versed in how important it is to have a grooming partner (for those of us who are into that).
Used to bite my fingernails, but my teeth fell apart so now I just chew my cuticles & the calloused skin around my fingertips-I really enjoy it, tastes better than most food to me (yeah, I have sensory issues !)

Hi I picked my nose until I was eleven. I constantly tried to stop and felt awful about it. Thinking back it was 100% a stimming behavior. Shortly after I stopped picking my nose I started picking my scalp, which is a stimming behavior I currently have. Doing it immediately sends me into a trance, it’s so calming. I don’t have a ton of stims but the ones I do have are incredibly effective. I’ve also noticed other stims I’ve had over the years that I was forced to stop doing, and I think I developed nosepicking and scalp scratching/picking because I was forced to stop the others, like spinning in circles(I would do it during soccer games and on the playground and people would get pissed at me so I have to stop), dancing(my sister verbally lambasted me for that one, I used to love to dance in public, and just couldn’t help it sometimes). I also have an awful nail biting issue I’ve ALWAYS had. I also pick my toenails, really bad until they bleed. When I was younger I would put them in my mouth to bite off their nails I was dedicated. But naturally my parents forced me to stop that too, so now I lost that flexibility - what a shame. I still pick them though.

I don't skin "pick" so much as dig. Unless I already have scab or split skin from it being dry. Then I "pick"

Anyway I'm not entirely sure if it's related to the Aspergers or just my stress/depression. I didn't start picking at my skin until middle school; which was an extremely stressful time for me. The behaviour has just stuck since then

Yeah I pick my nose all right, in private.

I believe that more people pick their noses (and eat the contents) than they let on. The more someone is repulsed by the thought of nose-picking and is adamant that they'd never do such a gross thing, chances are they probably do pick their nose when no-one is around.

Sometimes when I'm bored or restless I search through the jungle of thick hair on my head with my fingers. One time I had a scab on my scalp that I couldn't stop picking at. Actually whenever I do get a scab I can't stop touching or picking at it even though I know I risk getting gangrene when I do and wonder what is wrong with me?!

I pick at any irregularities on my skin like scabs/acne/etc. because I get a compulsion to do so. I have so many acne scars from it and I look like a crackhead in public when I pick at my face. lmao

I pick on my lips and skin around my nails a lot. I don't know if it is considered stimming.

There is not a human alive, male or female that doesn't do a little nasal housecleaning once in a while.

I *think* normal non obsessive nose picking for me.

Callouses of skin however, bumps and non-smoothness... oh man... it's amazing if a day goes past I don't try to scratch or rip something off. I've amassed a good collection of 'spots' to go to. lol. So gross. Luckily they're all pretty hidden.

What is the appeal of TV shows such as 'Dr. Pimple Popper?'

STORY explains the appeal of shows like 'Dr Pimple Popper.'

LINK to STORY: This Is What It Means if You Enjoy Watching Pimple Popping Videos:
A sociologist Explains the Strange Appeal of Watching Someone Else Attack Their Acne.

P.S. I refrained from answering ANY part of this thread's poll - not even the 'I don't meet the requirements for participating in this poll.' option!

LINK: https://www.menshealth.com/health/a2594 ... sychology/

I had very BAD skin eczema as a kid & I would very often scratch till I bled. Some of that was due to me stimming when stressed, anxious, frustrated, angry, ect but a lot of it was cuz of my Atopic Dermatitis flaring up. It is very hard for me to resist the urge to scratch when I have an itch. I was bullied a lot when I was little partly because of my skin sores & being bullied made me scratch even more. I outgrew it in my teens, Atopic Dermatitis can sometimes improve in your teens & I was at a better school where I was not getting bullied as much. Unfortunately it started coming back again after I hit 30. I think being in a better mental state helps me not scratch as much but my skin itching is a major factor as well. I do pick my nose but I have BAD sinus & allergy problems that cause my nose to be clogged & stuffy. Picking my nose is mostly due to my nose being uncomfortable & having a hard time breathing out of it instead of a stimming behavior. I'm on a few meds for allergies but they only barely help. I am on a few meds for my mental health as well & those help a good bit. In the poll I voted for~ Yes, and I also pick my skin.

i used to bite my nails as a youth . it was a feedbackloop between myself and several others .. lol .

skin picking .. i do not so often now . i have all spot marks on my arms . people probably think i inject . no .. its just an addictive habit

I have problems picking at my skin or destroying it somehow. I don't think for me it is a stim. I'm just an anxious person. My mother used to pick her skin as well. I am very stressed about lack of control and I think that's where it comes from. I have gotten better at avoiding it.