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I am on day 2 of freaking out about my nails. Backstory: Ever since I can remember, I have obsessed over my fingernails. I traded one obsession for another. Awful nail biting turned into polishing and then picking it off every other day. Then I began clipping the skin around my nails obsessively. I've done this for ~ 15 years. I also had nail enhancements (acrylics, gel manicures, press-ons, etc.) constantly. I have over 120 bottles of nail polish and a tub of enhancement tools to do acrylics and such. My husband finally demanded I get help. I constantly bite the skin around the nails, pick at it, or am touching/tapping/clicking my fingernails constantly. It is a nervous tick I never realized had gotten out of control. My husband took my cuticle nipper tool away and told me to bring this up to my psychiatrist. Since he made me aware of this, I have started realizing how often I mess with my nails. It is nearly constantly and habitual. (I counted my fingers in my mouth about 4 times in an hour, and that is just what I became aware of.) Currently, my nails are all-natural. It is killing me. I normally have some sort of polish or other enhancement. My cuticle nipper is hidden. It is killing me. The only thing I AM allowed right now is cuticle oil to keep my very toughened skin moisturized. After years of clipping, it is pretty much calloused. I hate obsessing like this, but I figured this would be the place to vent this panic/obsession. Any suggestions for me?

(background)I was diagnosed with Excoriation disorder a few months ago, but I've definitely had it for 4-6 years. Mine is currently and always has been out of control. My disorder has not only affected my social life but also my career and my education. Many many many people (bosses even professors) have asked me what the hell is wrong with my legs (legs are scared for life by this). My counselor is basically clueless on how to help me, I have no outlet, I have no one who understands what it's like. I feel as if its an impulse I cannot control. I cannot make myself stop. Please, please if you can offer me and advice it would help. I am tired of going through this alone. I've never talked to anyone else with this disorder and I also want to know other experiences people have had with it.

Hello everyone! My current pursuit involves my need to spread the word about an organization in the works for people with Trichotillomania or Dermatillomania- the Canadian BFRB Support Network (CBSN). It will be the 2nd non-profit organization in the world dedicated to providing support to those of us with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) and parents/ partners of sufferers. We are allies with the Trichotillomania Learning Center and they have been a huge help in supporting our efforts. You can become involved by joining CBSN via the links below. With such little resources available worldwide, don't hesitate to join if you're not Canadian! www.facebook.com/CanadianBFRB www.twitter.com/CanadianBFRB www.canadiantrich.wordpress.com (will be changed to compliment the inclusion of all BFRB's) Please join to bring skin pickers and hair pullers worldwide together so we can grow the BFRB community stronger, thus reducing stigma and educating the masses about our disorders. Thank you! xox <3 Angie