--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can’t stop picking at them. Even when…" description: "\"“I can’t stop picking at them. Even when it makes me bleed. I know I need to stop, but it’s almost a compulsion. I’m so used to it hurting when I put l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/shira-glassman-51806_quote_i-can-t-stop-picking-at-them-even-when-i_1227195.jpg" --- # I can’t stop picking at them. Even when it makes me bleed… ![“I can’t stop picking at them. Even when it makes me bleed. I know I need to stop, but it’s almost a compulsion. I’m so used to it hurting when I put lemons or limes in my drink; I don’t even notice it anymore. The fifty dollar word for it is dermatillomania,” quote by Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/shira-glassman-51806_quote_i-can-t-stop-picking-at-them-even-when-i_1227195.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/shira-glassman-51806_quote_i-can-t-stop-picking-at-them-even-when-i_1227195.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89b/shira-glassman-51806_quote_i-can-t-stop-picking-at-them-even-when-i_1227195.jpg) > ““I can’t stop picking at them. Even when it makes me bleed. I know I need to stop, but it’s almost a compulsion. I’m so used to it hurting when I put lemons or limes in my drink; I don’t even notice it anymore. The fifty dollar word for it is dermatillomania,”” [Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-glassman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes compulsive skin picking (dermatillomania), its triggers, and the difficulty in stopping despite awareness. **In simple terms:** Compulsive skin picking is hard to stop even when known. Key Takeaway Seek professional help and coping strategies. Themes mental health compulsion self‑harm Mood vulnerable honest Type personal clinical When to use this quote - therapy - support groups - stress management - mindfulness - medical treatment Key Concepts psychology behavioral disorders Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your urges? - What alternative coping methods could you try? A Different Perspective It may not address underlying causes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compulsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) [Compulsion Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion-used-3175258/) [Hurting Lemons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurting-lemons-3780942/) [Stop Picking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-picking-768303/) [Word Dermatillomania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-dermatillomania-3780941/) ## Related quotes > [One fact stands out in bold relief in the history of man's attempts for betterment. That is that when compulsion is used, only resentment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-gompers/one-fact-stands-out-in-bold-relief-in-the-history-of-man-s-attempts/) [Samuel Gompers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-gompers/) > [STOP PICKING WEEDS WHEN YOU ARE GIVEN A RARE BEAUTIFUL FLOWER THAT HOLDS THE MESSAGE OF LYFE! AM 2013](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mcmillion/stop-picking-weeds-when-you-are-given-a-rare-beautiful-flower-that/) [Anne' McMillion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mcmillion/) > [It was just terrible! And the worst part was, I knew what a bore I was being, I knew how I was depressing people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-was-just-terrible-and-the-worst-part-was-i-knew-what-a-bore-i-was/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Eventually, you have to stop picking a fight with your true nature and decide to seek the joy that underlies it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/eventually-you-have-to-stop-picking-a-fight-with-your-true-nature-and/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [I need to stop calling myself ugly and stop picking out things I don't like. I should just be happy with myself & smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-need-to-stop-calling-myself-ugly-and-stop-picking-out-things-i-don/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We can stop picking on ourselves for picking on ourselvesWe can cherish ourselves and our lives. We can nuture ourselves and love ourselves. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/we-can-stop-picking-on-ourselves-for-picking-on-ourselveswe-can/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [Apparently some don't realize that you can see them through glass. Therefore... Stop picking your nose while driving!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhat/apparently-some-don-t-realize-that-you-can-see-them-through-glass/) [ZHAT](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhat/) > [You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/you-develop-an-instant-global-consciousness-a-people-orientation-an/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Those of us with this ancient compulsion to tell stories sometimes start with a single kernel of something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/those-of-us-with-this-ancient-compulsion-to-tell-stories-sometimes/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [I think it's in our nature to try to get beyond that next horizon. I think that when we as a species are scratching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/i-think-it-s-in-our-nature-to-try-to-get-beyond-that-next-horizon-i/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/) [Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) ## More by Shira Glassman > [“A lot of people haven't realized how big knitting is. They still associate it with grandmothers and pregnancy."   "In other words, with desexualized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-glassman/a-lot-of-people-haven-t-realized-how-big-knitting-is-they-still/) [Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-glassman/) > [“Oh,” she suddenly realized. “Aviva, this is Riv, the new captain of my royal guard.” “Hello,” said Aviva. “I’m a cook, made of stone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-glassman/oh-she-suddenly-realized-aviva-this-is-riv-the-new-captain-of-my/) [Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-glassman/) > [“When someone loves a remarkable woman...” Isaac sat down on her right side and caressed the firm line of her biceps with his left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-glassman/when-someone-loves-a-remarkable-woman-isaac-sat-down-on-her-right/) [Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-glassman/) > [“replied. “Back to that first moment I knew I loved you, the first time you beat me during our sword fighting lessons.” “It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shira-glassman/replied-back-to-that-first-moment-i-knew-i-loved-you-the-first-time/) [Shira Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shira-glassman/) > [“She had bad luck with the fanfic browsing that night. 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But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/) [Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I think it's in our nature to try to get beyond that next horizon. I think that when we as a species are scratching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/i-think-it-s-in-our-nature-to-try-to-get-beyond-that-next-horizon-i/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [Those of us with this ancient compulsion to tell stories sometimes start with a single kernel of something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/those-of-us-with-this-ancient-compulsion-to-tell-stories-sometimes/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/you-develop-an-instant-global-consciousness-a-people-orientation-an/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [I found myself compelled - like this weird, shameful compulsion - to draw cute animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/i-found-myself-compelled-like-this-weird-shameful-compulsion-to-draw/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [Why am I always at war with myself? Why have I told, as if upon compulsion, what I knew all along I ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/why-am-i-always-at-war-with-myself-why-have-i-told-as-if-upon/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [It is true that the virtues which are less esteemed and practiced now--independence, self-reliance, and the willingness to bear risks, the readiness to back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/it-is-true-that-the-virtues-which-are-less-esteemed-and-practiced-now/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [Not merely by rules of conduct and religious observances, nor by much learning either, nor even by attainment of concentration, nor by sleeping alone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/not-merely-by-rules-of-conduct-and-religious-observances-nor-by-much/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I started off like everyone else does, slogging but having a compulsion to put words on paper. I didn't write or read horror or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-started-off-like-everyone-else-does-slogging-but-having-a/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I have with me two gods, Persuasion and Compulsion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/themistocles/i-have-with-me-two-gods-persuasion-and-compulsion/) [Themistocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/themistocles/) > [When you are dealing with a serious compulsion or addictive pattern, then by definition self-will, self-discipline, and any other machinations of the conscious mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/when-you-are-dealing-with-a-serious-compulsion-or-addictive-pattern/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) [Browse all 513 Compulsion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I can’t stop picking at them. Even when it makes me bleed. I know I need to stop, but it’s almost a compulsion. 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