Is there such a thing as an addiction to picking at one's face; if so, what does it stem from?
476479
I'd call it more of a compulsion then an addiction but yes. Many people including myself have this problem. It does give you a sorta pleasurable release. For me it isn't just my face but anywhere and it can be a pimple or just a scab. Can't help myself I just pick it. Sounds gross I know... lol. It doesn't have to be on me either. Whenever I see someone with a ripe pimple it is all I can do not to reach out and pop it for them. I used to BEG my boyfriend to let me pop his pimples and blackheads. He HATED it but because he knew how much I loved doing it he would let me... lol.
196508
Lots of people swear by lots of things...the patch, hypnotism, etc.  I think cutting back is good, because your aren't obligating yourself to quit completely and immediately.  Things like lollipops can preoccupy you from smoking and help the "hand-to-mouth" addiction, I also recommend picking up mint toothpicks (little travel packs are available at health foods stores.)  Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor, either...he/she will probably be able to give you lots of excellent advice.  GOOD LUCK!
429987
Its an addiction that is hard, you need to have something else to replace, grab like tooth picks my husband does the cinnamon ones.
1060361
u may have something so much interesting in it and may be something which have been a fancy for you in ur childhood..if u really want to quit from that strong addiction,try to remember some incidents which have strongly affected pple dur to this addiction or something which u feel is so bad that your mind can't accept it.To say as an example,i remember one of my friends who had such a fancy for mobiles that she couldnt live without..she spend about rs.10000 pm for the maintenence of her 3 mobiles and the bills she had to pay for the maintenance,accessories and the calls she made.One day,after paying these bills,she was coming out of the shop.....A girl of 15 or 16 came to her weeping that her mother was in bed and she had not had food for 5 days.My frind felt so embarraced that she had spent about 9000 rs at the shop for her silly fancy and there are pple beside her without even the money for daily basic needs.She helped the girl..yet...she couldnt further spend so much money  for those fancies..Whenever she had that interest,the face of that girl came to her mind.Similarly,i hope u can try some of these or if u have not had any such experiences,look around..u can see many...u will not have that fancy again.....sure!+BEST WISHES!
591320
Yes you are an addict. To realize it is the first step in overcoming it. But really do you want to stop??? Thousands of people are waiting for you to answer their burning questions. THEY NEED YOU MAN! Call in sick and keep going!!!
860961
STOP!!!   Lol, I have the same problem.  Figure out when you do this habit and then replace the "finger fetish' with something else.  If your in class and it happens, try twirling your pen, teach yourself a few different pen moves.  If you do it while watching TV, pick up a paper and pen and start doodling, or try your hand at knitting a scarf.  The point is to replace the need to fuss with something less painful.  Good Luck!  p.s. DON'T BOTHER with the bad tasting nail polish stuff, you just end up liking the taste  ;-p
173200
Trichotillomania.  I am not kidding.  It's an impulse control disorder, it is stress related. I have it too, if you're looking for commiseration.  I started when I was seven and have learned to deal with it.  No, I haven't stopped.  I pluck my eyelashes and eyebrows, and when I was seven I plucked the hair on my head 'till I had a bald spot.  My parents did not seek treatment for me and for years I was convinced I was a very bad kid and I could stop if I really wanted to stop - I eventually learned to just deal with it and am perfectly happy - in fact, engaged.  If you're suffering from trich, search for the trichotillomania website, you'll learn more about it and can join a support group.  Also - if you eat the hair you've plucked, it's called trichophagy, and it can lead to some serious medical problems.  I'm glad I don't do that.
575607
stay away from that stuff. It is degrading and addicting. If you can't stop -- you need professional help. It will destroy any relationships you have or hope to have.
260857
im not sure... i have never heard of anyone biting their fingers before. me personally, i have the badhabit of biting my fingernails. everyone has little corcky things like this they do, its just something you pick up and its hard to stop.
36156
An addiction is done for reasons not under control.\n \nA habit is pissing your name in a snowbank alongside your significant others. Praying before bed, biting nails while tense, painting nails while tense, driving nails while tense. Driving tenses while being nailed.....Whoops, can I say that?\n\nMind awareness-capable instead of uncontrollable needs=habit.\n\nAddictions run your mind and body both, habits are willful allowances.
359579
In many cases it's just a nervous habit, like chewing fingernails. But hair is soft to touch, too.  Also, I suppose that some girls may see it as a flirty gesture.
976165
I don't know about that, but I'm addicted to masturbation...
264871
Well technically you can become addicted to anything,  The repeat of the action on a daily, or hourly basis after a while  your mind will want to keep repeating that action.  It's worse for people with OCD, they may not even realize they are doing it.
664718
In psychological terms, this is termed as, 'an addictive personality'. \nCannot do anything in moderation.\nThat said, pierce where ever you fancy it. Just remember things like, lace bras...ouch!
873686
Yep, I'm a full fledge addict. I'm addicted to:\nYouTube movies -  a lot of Nip/Tuck stuff\nYahoo Answers\nChecking Facebook\nLooking at random sites\nListening to music\nChecking MySpace\nChecking my email\nPlaying menial games\n\nI'll spend upwards of 3-5 hours a day on the computer/internet. I'm not sure how I got addicted, but I am working on cutting down my time on it drastically. I usually use it as a time killer when I should be studying. Gotta buckle down.
1151091
One theory I've heard is that it is a way for a man to "mark" you as his own.\nI don't know whether I believe that, but my boyfriend likes to bite, too.
904338
There is something you can buy to stop you biting your nails, it is a bit like nail varnish but not quite, it tastes absolutely disgusting so you stop biting. As for picking scabs, will power. Say something like, right if i don't pick them for a week i'll buy something like a CD or something like that. incentives usually do the trick.