Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

Ever since I was little Ive had this compulsion about eating my skin- like if I have a scab, I will pick at it and then I cant just throw it away- I have to eat it. Same thing with biting the skin around my nails. I also will pick at the skin around my toe nails and eat that too. And its not just skin- the gunk that in your eyes- I will eat that too. Basically anything that comes off my body I have a compulsion to eat. I dont know why. But if I dont eat whatever it is, like if I throw it out or something instead, I get an uncomfortable feeling- like mild anxiety. I dont have obsessive thoughts like something bad will happen if I dont do it, but the compulsive behavior.

Does anyone else do this or know anyone else who does that? Or am I just weird? Why do I do this? Its kinda gross but Im not sure how to stop. Any ideas?

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

I'm the exact same. You might as well have written a description of me. ^^ It's perfectly normal. Nearly everyone has some sort of strange habits, but of course, people rarely talk about it from embarrassment, so you can end up thinking it's only you. But no, you aren't weird at all, don't worry. :)

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

Liam-- How is it that you always make me feel better? haha. Its scary....stop it....haha jk dont! I feel SO much better now that Im not the only one and that your the exact same way! Seriously I am releaved (spelling?).
Thank you for like the 100th time!

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

I bite my nails alot of the time[the skin around it, I mean.]. It's just a habit that you will eventually learn to break, or may not break.

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

I was watching the show Obsessed and there is something called CSP (compulsive skin picking) and the person who had it on the show was 100% like me in the fact that they would pick at their skin and stuff to "fix themself." I mean the eating thing doesnt fit into CSP but the way I pick at my skin totally fits. Which makes sense because I have OCD tendencies. I feel a little better now that maybe Im not alone with that.

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

agreeing with above,i got similar habits. so don't trouble yourself about it. :p
i actually like scratching and the same thing with nails and skin around it. i don't bite though,just rip. and it doesn't bleed at all. i stop eventually. then i start again when i am too much nervous and stressed. i got a problem with that.

Re: Weird/embarrassing addiction
 

I'm exactly the same. I do the same with my eyelashes too. It's just the way I've always been. Nice to know I'm not the only one :D