I Really Need Help.. Please?

Question by Pinkie Pie: I really need help.. please?
I have this problem where I pick at bumps and things on my arms CONSTANTLY. I went to the Doctor and he told me why (When my parents divorced, basically, my brain decided I needed to pick at my arms to feel better. Kinda like cutting but picking. Plus some minor OCD)
So itwas getting alot better but then I started pickking again and now I cant help it and when I start its very hard to stop. SOmetimes Ill do it so bad like my rms will be red and there willl be swollen bumps and some might be bleeding and I will burst out in tears at what I have done. Half the time I am wearing cover up on my arms to make them look better!
SO I guess my question is:
Does anyone have any tips on how to help me stop doing this to myself? I know alot of you are thinking “Well it’s simple just stop” or ” Just stop its your choice” aqnd blah blah blah but Ive had that talk already and obviously it didnt work if IM still doing it! So someone please?
Oh and I cant go to the doctor or a therapist or take pills! So anything really oriented from that please dont say it.
Oh and one last thing! (sorry!) But I have tried everything I have tried distracting my hands and myself, my family has tried telling me how beautiful I am to boost confidence or something and then they tried prob what they shouldnt have but they tried telling me that they looked horrible and I need to stop (in their defence they were saying thos things lovingly :P) and chopping off my nails!we’ve tried like everything we can think of. I am a very determined person and when I am set to quit somehting I do! But this I just cant seem to stop…. oh and any tips on how to stop cracking knuckles would be nice to :)
To( the first 3 people to answer!):
Barry- Thank you sooooooo much you are truely someone who has actaully helped and made a difference and you are a great person Im sure of it!
Hellsing: Please dont ever talk to me again your answer was disturbing, un-helpful, and just plain gross. Go get help.
Apoctalypto: Thank you very much for you advice! I appreciate it very much! I tried it and it did help the swelling areas go down

And to the people who gave/give real good homest and actually helpful answers, thank you for caring.

Best answer:

Answer by barry
I have noticed that it usually occurs as a result of anxiety, or stress, and may be considered as a type of coping,or avoiding mechanism. It appears to be closely related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, (although the DSM IV places it in the impulse control disorder category; to me, they are all anxiety spectrum disorders) so view http://your-mental-health.8m.com/blank_25.html & pages f, m, & i, on anxiety, stress, & OCD, and practise one of the relaxation methods, daily, and when needed. Try St. John’s Wort, (preferably a German variety; local ones may vary in efficacy – take with a meal; Jarsin, Perika, or Kira brands have been recommended as being effective) which is believed to act by increasing the availability of the neurotransmitters; serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, moderately, rather than selectively giving the serotonin levels of the brain a large boost, as with antidepressants. First effects usually start at around 2 weeks, approaching maximum effectiveness at 4 – 6 weeks. View www.hypericum.com & www.sjwinfo.org/ & www.drweil.com/ :Herbs, and http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/Treatments+and+drugs/St+Johns+Wort++-+Hypericum+perforatum.htm but I don’t recommend the HBC brand, over concerns about pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination. Use a form of occupational therapy, to keep your mind busy. You could also take 50mg (no more) of 5-htp, and inositol, daily, with the wort.

Another suggestion, for when you catch yourself doing this. Some people carry a wide rubber band in your pocket: put it on your wrist; stretch, and release, as a means of reinforcing it, and speeding up the process, re-pocketing it afterwards, but I regard this as being purely optional. It is a habit, which can be unlearned, preferably by replacing it with another, such as worry beads, or a stress ball, etc. This may take 30 – 40 repetitions, to establish. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, a good tryout, to see if it helps you (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you employ the acupressure massage/tapping on your temples) “Even though I pick my skin, I deeply and completely accept myself”. The acupressure technique can also be used to replace the skin picking. Professional EFT is always preferable. See www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR “EFT” & “EFT therapists”, or 13 free videos at www.tapping.com or www.emofree.com One therapy that I am aware of is to strongly grip the hand you normally use for 3 minutes, until the impulse to reoffend has passed.
Check out: http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Have-Dermatillomania/39406 & www.wrongdiagnosis.com & http://www.stoppickingonme.com/ & http://www.grossbart.com/sd/Skin_Deep9.html & www.mental-health-abc.com and Support: http://dailystrength.org/support Chatsites/forums: www.skinpick.com & http://www.mentalhealthforum.net/ and Groups, at Myspace, Yahoo,( http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Pickaderms/ ) and Google. Try to find a therapist who uses Habit Reversal Training. Google: “Clinical psychologists; (your city); (your state)”, and/or:

Answer by hellsing
cut urself its easier. easier to hide, helps with problems easier and u cud always cut ur bumps off.
hope my great advice helped and about the knuckles thing, start masturbating, it helps