Pickaderms is a community of those who are keen to share support and work at overcoming Compulsive Skin Picking (CSP), sometimes known as dermatillomania or acne excorié. Many of us have struggled for years believing we are alone in suffering from this often distressing habit. Those of us who have not been too embarrassed to admit to our problem have often had difficulty finding real help or have been told by loved ones to Just Stop!.

The approach we encourage on this list is CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) including Habit Reversal, as this is the treatment most likely to lead to recovery.

This is an unlisted, private group as we want you to feel you can post safely and in confidence. The group is open to pickers of any part of the body as well as nail and cheek biters, but restricted to those over the age of 13. Parents of pickers under this age are also welcome to join.

As this is a very sensitive issue please note that other relatives or friends or therapists are not admitted to the group. They are welcome to write for information or advice on getting help, however, and are advised to encourage the adult pickers they are concerned about to join Pickaderms themselves where they will be made most welcome.

So to avoid delays please declare your status clearly when applying eg parent of child aged 6, or picker over the age of thirteen.

Group advisor/moderator is James Claiborn, PhD ABPP, and group moderator is Louise.

For more information write to: Pickaderms-owner@yahoogroups.com