Are You An Obsessive Skin Picker?
The 12 Qualifying Questions of OSPA
The following questions are guidelines for identifying if you might be an obsessive skin picker or a skin picking addict.
Please note “Yes” or “No” answers are not intended to provide a diagnosis or any assurance if the addiction is present.
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Have you ever tried to control how much you pick at your skin or how often you pick at your skin?
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Have you made promises to yourself or others or repeated attempts to stop picking and continually found yourself unable to do so?
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Do you feel shame, remorse, anger, or regret after picking or isolated and alienated by the aftermath and scarring?
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Do you feel secretive about your skin picking and go to great lengths to hide it, not wanting anyone to know or discover the behavior?
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Do you get euphorically “high” after picking or find yourself moody and irritable if you have to interrupt the process of picking?
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Are you unable to stop picking even though you know it is destructive to you, and relationships around you?
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Have you ever had to seek medical or dental attention as a result of your skin picking behaviors?
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Does your skin picking affect your home, family, friendships, personal relationships, or work?
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Have you ever missed important opportunities or engagements because you are unable to cover up picking wounds or scars?
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Do you go into a trance, disassociate, or “process” feelings or emotions when you pick?
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Have you picked at times or in places you never thought you would have or found yourself picking even though you really didn’t want to?
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Do you feel caught up in a picking cycle you cannot escape or control?
If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, we encourage you to attend a meeting to see if the program is right for you. It is suggested you attend at least 6 meetings, as each one is different in format and structure.