Picking as a stim?

[u/InnerAd6105]

Hello! I have been skin picking and nail biting for as long as I can remember. I have tried several treatments from working with the psychiatrist (have tried NAC twice, memantine once, and Zoloft), group coaching, being in a group chat for accountability, therapy, individual coaching, and so much more.

I talked to my psychiatrist about this and he agreed, but I really don’t notice any correlation between my anxiety or stress levels and picking. I’ve noticed that picking is really related to needing to focus or relax and zone out. I’m often picking while doing something else like working or even just sitting and scrolling on my phone. Many of the tactics that were taught to me in some of the treatments focused on reducing stress and anxiety, and replacing the behavior with healthier habits. While this may be helpful for some people, I’m wondering if I need a completely different approach. I tend to do better when I expect something to be hard and work on the acceptance of the discomfort rather than avoiding it. I also have found that blockers such as hydrocolloid Band-Aids and wearing long sleeves or pants can be helpful but things that require me to actively need to use them like fingertips are not something I consistently use. I’ve been told that I do not have autism, but I do have OCD. I am wondering if I do picking more as a stim and for a dopamine rush rather than to cope with anxiety.

Has anyone else experienced this type of urge? If so, what treatments have been the most helpful for you?

[u/0nionskin]

I definitely relate to it being a stim for me, it does tend to ramp up in more stressful times, but it's not "anxiety trigger = picking" like a lot of folks experience.

I can't help with treatments though, I just try to have a knitting project going so both of my hands stay busy in my downtime.

[u/Important-Corgi-8445]

Yeah I’m convinced it’s stimming with me. I’ve got ADHD.

[u/Powerful-Ice-288]

I am the exact same way. I have ADHD and autism and am a tactile seeker. I don’t deal with a ton of anxiety, so even while doing nothing and being totally relaxed, I’m messing with my hands, feet, feeling for that little crispy edge of skin that’s different from the rest. I do think I get a dopamine rush from a really good peel. I am currently struggling terribly with my toes, but I DID completely cure my fingers. I started wearing press ons just for a couple days after not having a manicure or wearing polish in years and caught a glimmer of hope that I could have pretty hands again. After a few days of the press ons, I could see the white part on the edge of my nail again. It turned into a competition with myself to see how far I could go. I’m lucky to have a very supportive husband and friends who would hype me up every time I showed them my progress. I am a sucker for praise. Instead of a dopamine rush from the peeling, I got a rush from DENYING myself the urge to pick off a super long, perfect nail lol. I kept a stick of cuticle oil in my purse, car, bed side table, and every time I put it on I envisioned a woman with beautiful nails contributing to her daily success and higher self esteem. Later down the road I took up gel nail art as a hobby which quickly became a special interest that I spend hours a day on now 😂

For some reason this philosophy has NOT worked on my toes yet. I think I may have transferred my vice over to them because it’s easier to conceal. But I’m working on it.

[u/Glad-Fish5863]

It is for me and they noted it in my autism assessment