scab picking
Delaying healing deliberately
Scab picking is the habit of removing scabs from healing wounds, often compulsively.
The behavior delays healing and can cause scarring.
Figuratively, scab picking describes revisiting painful memories or reopening emotional wounds that would heal if left alone: She knew talking about the divorce was just scab picking, but she couldn't stop.
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- open woundUnhealed break in skin
- healingRestoration of health
- skinBody's outer layer
- crustHard outer layer
leave it alone · dried blood · blood · scar · itch · scratch · peel · habit · bad habit · nervous · nervous habit · fidget · compulsion · can't stop · anxiety · nail · cuticle · bite
- compulsionsOCD, compulsion, obsession, handwashing, hand washing
- nervous habitsnail biting, lip biting, hair pulling, knuckle cracking, thumb sucking
- ___ picking
- crude humorpoop jokes, burp jokes, toilet humor, potty humor, bathroom humor
scab pickingself-restraint
Voluntary impulse control
impulse control · self-discipline · patience · non-interference · self-soothing
scab pickingletting go
Releasing one's grasp
moving on · closure · acceptance · emotional healing · making peace
scab, picking, scabs, scabbed, scabby, scabbing, pick, picks, picked