#lip picking

the video is about dermatillomania

anxious end of spectrum

its done for years, stuff like picking at skin around finger tips, elbows, zits on face, lips, ankles

pretty good at hiding and covering

we know we shouldnt pick, but at the time it feels nice, "irresistable, like the only thing that's going to work, like exactly the action that will be able to deliver relief"

the consequences dont matter for a bit, its what we had to do, it escapes and resists direct thought

ITS ALL ABOUT ANXIETY

how the anxiety is handled. rather than acting out, its quiet and solitary

"introvert's disease"

someone might want to express anxiety through panicking, yelling, crying, but their character has been shaped through solitude. little faith, feels alone

only has experience on directing anger inwards, taking pain out on only character they can reach

Cure

recognise solitude. one picks because no one was around, or did humiliating things

recognise one is still terrified all the time, "terror struck person"

only acknowledge distress when someone is around to understand

when we realise its about fear and self disgust and a reaction to loneliness, we're in a better position

find a better way to be worried

the issue doesnt lie with the body

its not just a quirk, its a known problem a mind will do in response to lack of love and fear thats been born alone

need to pick at real problem, and leave our bleeding body in peace

My thoughts

interesting watch. i dont think ive ever thought about the behind of skin picking before. i definitely get the 'i need to not do this but i just need to get this piece off because if not, im just going to think about it forever'. I also agree that i really dont care about the consequences of my picking, but that might also be because i dont feel very strongly about my body in general (depression, disassociation or autism, who knows?)

also it kind of makes sense that there was no one there and it started from loneliness, but also not. my skin picking started young and admittedly my parents were incredibly busy at the time, so it does make sense that it started alone. also i have always been more of a internally directing anger, than outwards (as much as i remember). however, i dont think my lip picking started from a place of anxiety, and i dont think it's been a channeling for anxiety, ive had other ways for ages. and i also just gravitate to touching my lips when i’m doing stuff completely chill, it’s kind of just an automatic resting state for me too. so im still kind of unsure