Skin picking disorder. Does fidget objects help?

About a month ago, I met up with my mom and we had lunch and walked around and shopped. I noticed that her skin picking disorder had worsened again. She had open sores all over her face and arms and hands. I know that means that stress and anxiety has probably picked up. But she didn't want to talk about it and just wanted a relaxing couple of hours with me. I gently stopped her from picking several times while with me and reminded her that I do it because I love her and because I know she can't help it, and because I know ultimately she'll be more comfortable if she gives her skin the chance to heal. I once broached the topic of just having one sore and picking at that. That's what I did as a teenager when I had mental health issues. I nursed that one bloody sore for an entire year. Easier to clean and take care of one spot too. It still wasn't good. But it worked. Better then picking and having 20 -30 or more sores or scratching at your head or arms and having tons and tons of scars, right? Idk

I read somewhere that having something to fidget with can help as a replacement behavior when the OCD and anxiety kicks in and one starts to pick. Has anyone had success with this?

If my mom's skin is still really bad at Thanksgiving, I hope to gently broach the topic of her having something to fidget with instead and trying it. Idk.

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

Miram · 31-35, F

This is called competing response training ,and yes it does work. You can read about more tools and techniques. They have to be coupled with an awareness that despite of thoughts telling the person to pick their skin, they are doing just fine playing with the stress ball instead. There has to be mindfulness in the process instead of just mindlessly playing with the ball. Ball being just one example.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@Miram Thanks you. Your comment reminded that I once bought her a kind of stress ball 15 years ago, and she liked that little thing and kept it in her car and in her bedroom and that helped her. I will look for a few to give her next week.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

Actually I found something that looks interesting. Has anyone ever used this:

From HabitAware: Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling), Dermatillomania (Skin Picking), and Nail Biting Smart Awareness Tracker - Sporty/M/L

You're supposed to program it and it will vibrate.

JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F

@Scribbles that looks like a good start!

Starcrossed · 41-45, F

Can confirm, fidgets do help with my disorder.

Sidewinder · 36-40, M

@Starcrossed A ballpoint pen, or even a television remote make good fidgets.

Starcrossed · 41-45, F

@Sidewinder you can get neat little cube and hexagonal ones on Amazon for pretty cheap.

Sidewinder · 36-40, M

I don't see any reason why it can't.

JaggedLittlePill · 46-50, F

I think there are some fidgets specifically geared toward this

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@JaggedLittlePill I'll have to ask if mom's therapist has ever recommended any that would be specific for this. Thanks.

SW-User

Get her a rubik's cube, once you know the algorithms to solve it you can just do that over and over again. It becomes an obsession.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@SW-User unfortunately, She'd hate that, I think. She has social anxiety and it's not a discrete thing to pull out a Rubik's cube. She considers a Rubik's cube a kids toy anyway. I should just pull up a screen of options and maybe she can pick out something she likes for herself. Thanks

LordShadowfire · 46-50, M

Yes. It's pretty much the same with any compulsion. Just stopping it doesn't work. You need something to replace it.

Add a comment...