Forever Marked: A Dermatillomania Diary

by Angela Hartlin

FOREVER A Dermatillomania Diary is a first hand account of a young woman, Angela, who suffers from a silenced illness This is a ground- breaking true story that describes her struggles, which include depression, anxiety, suicide, self- hate, isolation, but mainly Dermatillomania... the skin picking disorder.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Mental Health, Memoir, Medical, Mental Illness

214 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lila Lockhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to stay true to myself by standing up for what I believe in, even if it means standing alone.

Brutally honest and beautifully insightful. Hartlin's journal provides a touching, unflinching account of her experiences with the impulsive skin-picking disorder, Dermatillomania.

Value is further added to this book by just how little information exists on this silenced disorder. It's only been recognized as a disorder in recent times (and only as a sub-category in the DSM), is poorly understood, not widely known about (even among health professionals) and lacks sufficient research. Furthermore, it only affects a small portion of the population (an estimated 1.4%), with considerable stigma and shame surrounding it. Thus, Forever Marked provides a source of hope for those suffering from this disorder. It shows that we are not alone in this fight, and that we all are more than our scars.

While there are sections in this book that may trigger some individuals, I believe this is a worthwhile read for anyone with, who knows someone with, or is interested in learning more about, this disorder.

P.S. I wrote a nice long review and then I had a not-so-well timed browser crash, so here lies a slightly shorter one. May the old version R.I.P.

[Mikayla Kailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this. At first it was very hard to read because it was a trigger for me, but after I was able to control the urges to pick while reading, it was very helpful. It reminds me of the emotional and physical roller coaster I feel like im riding sometimes. I specifically like the passage in the book that tells about the struggles with emotional control and how sometimes explaining and verbalizing our problems out loud sounds like complaining, but it is only our way of trying to find answers that we do not have for ourselves. We are all in this struggle and are constantly searching for answers. I believe spreading the word and teaching people about this will bring us one step closer to whatever missing link we are searching for.Angela Hartlin has really captured how I feel in certain situations and it really gave me a new perspective. Luck to all and keep smiling. Xo.

[Laura A. Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this book a couple times and each time it was a different experience as I was at different stages in my own battle with Dermatillomania. While I don't identify with Angela's story to the letter, this book played a big part in my own journey of recovering with this disorder and helped me really realize all those years ago for the first time that I was not alone with this disorder. The book contains her very personal journal/blog entires and tell of her own personal account, which are candid and sometimes not so hopeful, but overall, the book is a very real look at what toll dermatillomania can take on a person's life.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very poignant for me. Angela writes honestly and heartbreakingly about her struggle with dermatillomania. I appreciated her honest look at the issue, and how it affects her life.

I wonder if she wrote the book a little prematurely. She hasn't really come to grips with her issues surrounding the disease by the end of the book. I suppose that's part of the point, that it's a lifelong struggle. Reading her blog has given me more insight into her changing mindset. She seems to be in a better place now than when she first wrote the book. I'd love to see a sequel.

[Dani (The Pluviophile Writer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really hit home for me. It took the words right out of my mouth.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so helpful to read if you have dermatillomania. It made me feel less alone. It was such a relief to read about someone else's experience with this all too consuming habit.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping book that tells of a young woman's struggles with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, bipolar, borderline personality disorder and mainly, dermatillomania. It's an unsettling read, especially for someone who has this or other disorders. On one hand it's relieving to know you're not alone but on the other hand, it could be triggering at times to read her honest, wretched retelling of relationships gone awry, awkwardness, embarrassment and shame. Although it is written in an immature voice, (it is a diary of a very young adult), and it was poorly edited (not sure if intentional as verbatim for the writer's diary) it is a good read particularly for someone with this affliction. I was thrilled to know this book existed, slightly disappointed in it's writing, but thankful to have read it.

[Adrienne Sanden · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it had some rather compelling passages, the tone of the book quickly became too much for me. I recognize that the bulk of the content is from the author's personal diary. Sharing that material is a remarkable act of courage. Still, I had some issues with the book as a whole. This individual was clearly struggling with some deeper issues that manifested themselves in Dermatollomania, which is a compulsive behavior and not a disorder in its own right. I was saddened by the irresolution at the end of the book. I applaud the author for coming to terms with her own struggle, but think that the book holds a missed opportunity to reflect upon how exactly that occurred. However, I'm glad the book exists. I think it accomplishes the author's mission to spread awareness and to show sufferers that they aren't alone.

[Prettytaz83 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the author's willingness to share her story so more people can understand this order better.

I suffer from dermatillomania as well (although nothing as severe as what the author went through!), and was hoping to use this book to help some family members understand it better. However, I don't suffer from the depression / anxiety issues the author does, so I don't know that it will quite serve that purpose.

But, it was empowering to see someone cope with and manage their struggles, and come out the other side!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal experience soured me a little on this book, but if I'm being fair, it wasn't really the book itself that was to blame. The book is good, and I did enjoy it, especially as someone who is very familiar with dematillomania's sister disorder (trichtotillomania). I was able to relate to it and sympathize with it, which certainly is, I think, what the story is aiming for, and it was well written. All in all, a good book.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very brave and very helpful!

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a sufferer of this disorder, I am relieved that it is finally coming out into the open! just knowing that I am not alone in this has helped me so much!

[Jennifer Pinkerton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been doing research on this issue since I have it (too a much less extreme degree thankfully). While our issues aren't exactly similar, at least I can say I'm not the only one.

[Rebecca Renea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like with something like this I can't say what I want to say because it is a memoir about someone going through something extremely rough and detrimental to their health. All I will say, is that it was not what I thought it would be and was basically just the person's journal. I did not like it for that fact.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who suffers severe depression or Derma should give this a read. It makes you feel less alone and it's so honest.

[Soph ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book went much deeper than Dermatillomania. I never expected it to be a journal of happiness, but this was much too dark a read for my liking.