Much of the information I have suggests strongly (the lawyers make me speak like this) that low serotonin levels, dehydration and minimal, or unbalanced Essential Fatty Acid intake can be to blame for this type of behavior.

If you don't eat something every 3 hours, don't drink enough water, don't get good fats in the proper ratio to your proteins, and don't get 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day in your diet, then this alone could lead to stuff like this. Of course, I am not allowed to tell you that eating almonds, taking St. John's Wart, and 5-HTP, or some other source of Tryptophan can do better than zoloft. Oh, did I say that out loud? Um, ALLEGEDLY, yeah, that's the ticket, ALLEGEDLY

I have this problem, it is a form of OCD, I thought my ocd had generally got better (I had a serious germ phobia which connected to my now beter acne) but it's come back with a vengeance in the form of plucking, I just love the feeling of getting a lovely long ingrown hair from my ankle, or my bikini line. It's so sad to think that these issues plague people, I wish I could just wave a magic wand and make you all better... I'm going to go talk to my GP about this issue and maybe change my medication since I am already on Sertraline.
I can spend hours and hours sitting hunched over studying every single inch of my legs, thighs and bikini line. I get back ache from doing this, but I just cant stop.
It's like people who binge eat, then feel so sad and guilty that they've done it.
I was in a psychiatric ward for 8 months, it was for a number of things, but I never really got actual help for my OCD, apart from meds, and I think I was in denial about my ocd anyway, I always thought it wasn't bad (I was a hand washer, etc...) I did meet the CBT therapists once, then I never saw them again, I dont know what happened.
Anyway, the best thing I can say is to definately go see a doctor, therapist, or someone who can actually help. I think people tend to pluck when they get bored, so try to fill your time up well. I am only going to allow myself to pluck my eyebrows once in a while, but not obsessively, otherwise I'll end up with none!
I've told my mum about my issue, she's helping me with it too.
I hope everyone whose posted on here wont let it get them down and will try to seek help, and eventually stop doing it.
Dont dissapoint me!
Dont treat your body and soul this way!
Seek help!

You "leg pluckers" are truely disturbed. You get enjoyment out of it??? There's something wrong with that.

I use a Braun Silk Epil 5270 and it gets rid of the hair for 3 weeks.

*snorts* You pathetic human being. How dare you call us "disturbed" when you came onto this post.
You need sensitivity training. This problem isn't something to laugh at, it affects everyone single one of us who've posted here.
I wonder what's "wrong" with you.
Hm.

Lincoln, you need to find a new place to post. If this doesn't apply to you then don't post, please.
Eve, I think what you said about being boared is very true. I have learned to keep myself busy so that I don't go in and pluck. I am still at it but, not as much as I used to be. Wouldn't it be great if all of us could stop now and by summer, our legs might look decent? That would be great. I try to set goals.
Remember, keep shaving those legs so that the hair is not there to pluck.
Hope everyone has a happy holiday.

Happy 2007, everybody! It's a great time to STOP PLUCKING. C'mon everybody we can do this together.
I broke down last night and told my husband about my plucking. I feel SO MUCH BETTER. He just listened and didn't really ask any questions. He gave me a big hug and told me that I wasn't a "freak". I told him I've been doing it for at least 5 years and that I need help. I've asked him to take all of my tweezers away and only give one to me if I need it for my eyebrows. Once my eyebrows are done, he must take them back. I have also promised myself that I will not buy any more tweezers. I also told him that if I disappear into the bathroom (it has the best lighting in the house)for a long time, come check on me.
It was hard to tell him but, I'm so glad I did. I was planning to go "cold turkey" starting today, new years and since telling my hubby, I think I will be strong enough to stop. Hopefully this will be my best year ever and I hope that it is yours too!

Oh, that's really good news!
It's amazing how you feel after telling someone about it, like a massive weight has been lifted. One of the most horrible things in life is to let something bother you so much and tell no-one about it, that's really crushing.
I haven't done it for a while, but I guess that I dont notice sometimes because I have other stuff to bother about, which isn't all that good, but still.
Anyway, I hope everyone had a great new year, and will continue with plucking abstinence

Hey everyone, happy 2007. I'm really happy I found this board, because like most of you, I thought I was the only one too. Reading all of your posts made me realize that I started plucking in-depth last year, after I moved across the country to attend college (very stressful time). It seems to really be linked to stress like the web articles say. I have scars on the insides of my left leg (easier to reach because I'm right-handed) and the feeling I get from plucking seems to be really theraputic. I never really thought about it before. I love the feeling of digging out an ingrown hair or squeezing with my fingernails until the hair pops out... it sounds so weird to other people, I'm sure. Nobody knows but me and my tweezers.

I think I'm going to take PP's advice and TRY to stop tweezing for 07. New years resolution and whatnot.

I'm really proud of you, Pink_piper...it's difficult to tell someone (no matter how close they are) for fear of being called a weirdo. I told my boyfriend last summer and cried, but it was a huge relief since now he understands where my insecurity stems from. I encourage all of you to seek out that one person whom you trust because it really does help, but in the meantime I'm glad that this forum is here for support =)

Anyway, an update! As I said in my previous post, I went cold turkey on the plucking last summer but started up again when school resumed. Glad to say though that I managed to stop again in September and haven't done it since! My legs still look awful though--not as bad as they were when I plucked, but still unsightly compared to other girls'. There are still a gazillion dark spots from where the follicles grow but at least the raised bumps are gone. And I think they're getting better, though VERY slowly.

I went to the dermatologist today and am disappointed to say that she couldn't help much. I told her upfront what I had been doing for 4 years--and that I had read online of some treatments, namely Retin A and Glycolic Acid. But stupid me at the time forgot what they were called so I couldn't ask her for prescriptions! Judging from her expression she had never encountered such a case. When I told her about the plucking she said, "Oh yes, I guess you could have damaged your hair follicles by plucking so that's why you have those dots." Her suggestion: "just keep using lotion." I guess I made enough of a fuss about it that she prescribed me LacHydrin--which is pretty much lotion, only it mosturizes more. I was hoping she'd think of Retin A or Glycolic acid though, but again, I couldn't remember what they were called while I was there so couldn't bring it to her attention.

Speaking of, has anyone tried Glycolic acid or Retin A for their legs? I'm seriously considering making another appointment so I can get a prescription for them or at least more info, because somehow I doubt that LacHydrin will be much help.

Oh yeah, the only remedy I could remember the name of was Vitamin K. However she said that there's never been any conclusive research to back it so I shouldn't waste the money. But if anyone has different results, please, do tell!

Ok, I will end this essay now. Keep shaving and those tweezers locked up!