Dermatillomania can be hard to talk about. Let's draw about it.
This is a growing collection of art by individuals who have suffered with Skin Picking Disorder.
Acting as a visual portrayal of their journey, these drawings help other sufferers understand they're not alone.
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M.P., 15, Missouri
"I've been dealing with dermatillomania in silence for three years, and recently found out about sites and communities like this one that offer help to people like me. I created this art piece with the goal of showing how I feel after a picking session — ashamed and guilty —, but also who I truly am, not just the ideas I have about myself. Remember, you are beautiful, scabs and scars and everything else!" -
Yaso Hajj, 10, Ghobeiry, Lebanon -
@birdsbeforehoes, Nox Everglade, 16, Washington
"I had picked open a good chunk of my finger, and decided to use the blood for something as it was just spending its time getting all over my school work." -
@jacqueline.sknpckng, Jacqueline D., 23, Germany
"This drawing is called "waste of time". My dermatillomania consumes so much time in my everyday life. While I pick I don't have any sense of time. Sometimes I am sad because this waste of time is so unfair as I want to take care of so many other things... Because of my skin picking I have so much less time for important things or hobbies. And the drawing shows that it's in our hands what we do with our time.
Thank you for all of your amazing work!" -
Nia Estevez, 15, Salt Lake City, UT
"A combination of acrylic paint and markers, showing my face and hands and bandaids.
I'm so glad you're here. Thank you." -
@leozartz, Leo Fitzsymons, 17, Great Britain -
@art_by_sophia, Sophia Narod, 20, Louisville, CO
"This piece was one I created at 3 in the morning one night after hours of sobbing about the hopelessness I feel surrounding this condition. Because of my Dermatillomania along with my other various mental illnesses and trauma, I have incredibly low self esteem, and I wanted to draw what I see when I look at myself in the mirror. I have a lot of work to do on myself, and I’m hoping to repeat this art challenge when I have (hopefully) gotten myself to a better place to see how my self image and skin have changed." -
@nanaseble, Naara Santos Torres, 21, Brazil
"At 18 years of age I was diagnosed with skin picking. During high school I suffered a lot of bullying because of acne and injuries, I was upset because I never understood what was going on. As soon as I left school my mother took me to a psychologist, so I started treatment with prescription drugs and support group of women who helped me a lot. From that I regained my self-esteem and confidence, I wearing skirts and tank tops that before I was ashamed because of the injuries.
So I create an account on Instagram to post my drawings reporting how I live with skin picking, and I hope to help as I was helped. Thanks"
