Advice or encouragement appreciated.
hello my fellow dermatillomania babes, i’m in need of some help or advice. i’ve been dealing with dermatillomania for as long as i can remember, due to extensive childhood trauma. it’s always been my way of “coping”, whenever i feel anxious, but for the past few years it has severely damaged my mental health, and has given me body dysmorphia. my scars are on my upper arms because that’s where i frequently scratch, but ive done well recently with not giving myself new scabs or scars. the scars i have a darker, old scars that i’ve been dealing with, and to be honest i am terrified for the summer. i have a birthday vacation and many things planned, but instead of feeling excited, all i feel is anxiety, thinking about the fact that my bikinis will show off my scars. the thought of my scars being on display for the world to see makes me physically sick, but i just want to feel beautiful and be able to wear my pretty bikinis. i don’t do well in the heat, so wearing long sleeves or cover ups to “protect them from the sun” as other people have suggested is not an option for me. just hoping for a bit of encouragement or advice from others who are experiencing what i am. sorry for the rant but thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to read or respond to this.