When I was an infant and sucked my thumb, I also used to pick at my right nipple. Apparently. it was a form of comfort and self-care. After moving beyond the thumb-sucking stage, I continued the picking. My parents tried to stop me from doing this, but they only added to my shame: I couldn't stop. (In fact, this behavior continued fairly regularly until I was about 30 years old.) Even as an elementary school student, the nipple had already become scarred, enlarged, and disfigured. I was ashamed to be seen in locker rooms without a shirt on. Consequently, I always wore a shirt -- even at the beach.
As I continued the picking over the years, the nipple would bleed, scab over, etc. That didn't stop me. I received both pleasure from the picking sensation as well as pain. I found myself doing it when bored, anxious, or stressed and needing to focus. I also began doing the behavior (discreetly) while in public. I couldn't seem to stop this compulsion. I suffered enormous shame from this behavior and its ugly results throughout my life. As a side note, at around age 30, I entered into recovery for addiction. The steps gave me a new avenue to seek and find God. I worked step 6 and 7, which involve asking God to remove defects. I was so ready to be done picking! I asked (begged is more like it). Although I daily feel the temptation to pick, I have not done so since that prayer -- about 9 years now. However, I have noticed that when experiencing boredom, anxiety, or stress, I will pull at the hairs around my nipple.
In my own research, I just recently learned that contrary to my lifelong belief that I am a freak, I must have a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, such as hair pulling and chronic skin picking. I've read a number of articles in the professional literature about these two examples of Impulse Control Disorders. However, nowhere have I seen a reference to nipple-picking as characteristic of this disorder. Does anyone else out there have a similar problem? Do you of anyone who has a similar problem? I've read a few entries on the Women's Forum in Breast Health that are similar to my story, but there seems to be a different issue for the ladies. Thanks.
As I continued the picking over the years, the nipple would bleed, scab over, etc. That didn't stop me. I received both pleasure from the picking sensation as well as pain. I found myself doing it when bored, anxious, or stressed and needing to focus. I also began doing the behavior (discreetly) while in public. I couldn't seem to stop this compulsion. I suffered enormous shame from this behavior and its ugly results throughout my life. As a side note, at around age 30, I entered into recovery for addiction. The steps gave me a new avenue to seek and find God. I worked step 6 and 7, which involve asking God to remove defects. I was so ready to be done picking! I asked (begged is more like it). Although I daily feel the temptation to pick, I have not done so since that prayer -- about 9 years now. However, I have noticed that when experiencing boredom, anxiety, or stress, I will pull at the hairs around my nipple.
In my own research, I just recently learned that contrary to my lifelong belief that I am a freak, I must have a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior, such as hair pulling and chronic skin picking. I've read a number of articles in the professional literature about these two examples of Impulse Control Disorders. However, nowhere have I seen a reference to nipple-picking as characteristic of this disorder. Does anyone else out there have a similar problem? Do you of anyone who has a similar problem? I've read a few entries on the Women's Forum in Breast Health that are similar to my story, but there seems to be a different issue for the ladies. Thanks.
I thought I was the only one that had this problem. I picked my nipples as a kid. I don't pick them anymore but I do have an obsession with plucking the hair around my nipples. I was physically abused as a child, not sexually but physically and mentally. I think it was my way of coping. Now at 23 my nipples are very small and don't poke out as they should. I've wondered about the affect it would have if I ever had to breastfeed. When I picked at them eventually I picked the whole thing off. Both nipples. It was painful but I dealt. I've only told my boyfriend. I also had a skin tag on my lower back that I picked off. Just know that you're not the only one. I think I was too young to know what my nipples were and I wanted them gone. Who knows.