Posted by TexasChic on November 14, 2003, at 14:26:47
In reply to Re: a redundant skin-picking question, posted by Mariposa on November 14, 2003, at 11:45:08
> I have been a picker/biter for as long as I can remember....had a verbally abusive father and I believe that is part of what started it all. Now I still do it and can't stop myself, for some reason the *act* is comforting even though it hurts,... a distraction from boredom or worry??? Currently on Lex, which has done wonders for me in other areas, but has not helped deter me from this bad habit.
>
I had a verbally abusive father also. I think keeping my hands busy doing this compulsive thing was the alternative to lashing out like I wanted to. My therapist told me my anxiety is left over from this time in my childhood too, she said back then, it served me well, it kept me alert when I needed to be so I could deal with the situation at hand. But now that I am no longer in that situation, my body doesn't know how to let that go. It made me feel better to think of it in a medical light. Maybe you can thing of your picking and biting in that light as well – a reaction you needed when you were young to protect yourself, but your body just doesn't know how to let go of it yet. It helped me to understand it a little, even if I can't stop it yet. Good luck to you.
poster:TexasChic
thread:277642
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031111/msgs/279772.html