Update from Fanney: What do you do when you have a skin picking relapse?
You've been doing great, maybe even thought your skin picking was unquestionably a thing of the past. Then you started slipping a little bit. Maybe it's so little you barely noticed it creeping back in. Or maybe, like Fanney describes below, you haven't been picking at all and suddenly have a full-on breakdown. What do you do when you have a skin picking relapse? And how to be prepared in the event that you do?
I received this email a couple of weeks ago from Fanney, who graduated my program several months ago. I share it here with her permission, as it illustrates well what to do:
Dear Annette,
I thought I would sent you a quick update! My God, if only you knew how often I think about you with a smile and a grateful heart!!
I had a horrible relapse two weeks ago. I hadn't picked at all since the program with you ended, but suddenly, after a few stressful days at work and little sleep, I found myself sitting on the couch, two hours had past and my fingers bloody and my skin horribly picked. I felt horrified... and in a matter of moments went back to the hopeless, shameful state I had once been in... but only for a few hours... because before the day ended I remembered... "Wait a minute. I have Annette's book! I have all her e-mails and hand outs... and Annette warned me about this! This is normal. I can fix this!"
And I did. I just picked up my kindle and started reading your book, skipping back and forth from chapter to chapter for a quick reminder of what I needed to do now. (One of the things I love about your book is it's very easy to just pick it up at anytime and use it as a guide - it's so easy to find what you're looking for, a quality that is missing in many books.)
After doing a quick breathing exercise and a little EFT so that I could think clearer, I just kept on using all the tools and techniques you had taught me!
And I didn't pick at all after that!!I just wanted to share this with you so you'd know that you truly did give me something that really is FREEDOM FROM SKIN PICKING! You really did give me the tools to not only stop me from picking short-term but to stop it for the long term! And I will be always be grateful for that!
- Fanney
Ok, so what did we learn?
1) Don't freak out. A relapse does NOT mean you are back to square one.
2) Most likely you just need to remind yourself of what to do to nip the picking in the bud. It can be helpful to write yourself a "relapse prevention" plan that you can look at when necessary. Simply list the things that you have been actively doing so that when you get less active at doing them, if you have a slip-up you can look at your plan and get yourself back on track.
Have you had a relapse and recovered? What worked for you to get you back on track?
p.s. Have you downloaded my free "Freedom Kit"? It comes with a written and audio report, "Why you pick your skin and how to finally stop," a video on "how to stop skin picking urges in two minutes flat," and my "Live Free" newsletter in your inbox each month. Learn more here.