This poem is about a mental disorder that I have been diagnosed with and I hope that my poem sheds some light and brings awareness to this horrible monster of a disorder. And that if you know someone who picks their skin (dermatillomania) or pulls out their hair (trichotillomania) then you will be more understanding and try to understand that it is something that is extremely hard to stop. If you have any questions about this disorder feel free to message me. I also make photo art and the above picture is called "constellations."
(TRIGGER WARNING IF YOU HAVE DERMATILLOMANIA)
What if I played Connect the dots? The dots are my scars. The connection is why?
What shape will they make if I drew a line connecting them all? I wonder, should I try?
Will it tell me something about myself, as it outlines my hurt and pain?
Would it tell my story, or just paint a portrait of my shame?
Would people draw their own conclusions, or would it be so vividly clear?
That each hole is a reminder of my deepest, darkest fear.
A complex puzzle, whose solution is buried inside.
A place that I felt was safe to run and hide.
Thoughts overwhelming me and taking control.
Fighting over my body, and shattering my soul.
Holding me hostage inside of my own brain,
If I connected the dots, could I ever be the same?
Would I lose myself in answering the question why?
The truth is I can’t connect the dots, because I’m afraid of what I would find.
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140,080 Literary Works • 672,994 Reviews
Hi there! I'm Em101cats and I'm here to review! Happy Review Day!
I am sorry about your dermatillomania! I have researched the disorder a bit more and I feel for you. Though I don't suffer any brain disorders, I have major OCD and sometimes something as little as that can make you realize what sadder things out there that there is.
I really liked your poem. It flowed well and touched a deep spot in my feelings. You have a way with words that allows you into anyone's heart; with this kind of writing, you can make someone cry, laugh, smile, anything you want. This ability is a good thing to have as a writer. You are amazing at this!
I only found a few brief typos/mistakes:
"Connect the dots" should probably be "Connect the Dots" if you're addressing it as a title, which you are.
I'm not entirely sure if this is correct so feel free to decide yourself, but I think that "The connection is why?" isn't exactly a question although it does end in "why," so you should probably end it in some other punctuation mark (I recommend a period).
I am really tired so if I didn't spot something that I should have, I apologize.
Keep up the fantastic writing! Have a happy review day, and I offer my condolences once again about your dermatillomania.
~Em101cats~
This is a type of OCD, which I have very bad...(cries and chucks computer). I'm glad you're raising awareness.
Hello, Nunya here! This poem is so sad
. I think I can relate to this. My grandma might have this now that I think about it. I would have to say I much more mild version but it still makes you feel sorry for her when you see how often she picks her face. I really liked your poem however even though it was sad 
. Keep writing... please and NEVER get discouraged! 
P.s. I'm so sorry you have this condition I'll be praying for relief. 
This poem made me realize that I have this disorder. I think I have it much more mild than you, and I'm so sorry for your pain. During times of anxiety, I'll pick at the skin around my nails until I bleed or the skin is at an even layer all the way around the nail. My friends always ask why my hands look shredded during stressful periods, and now I know why.
Thanks for raising awareness of this. I'm grateful that this doesn't affect me deeply, but I'll be praying for those with more severe disorders. Good luck, and keep writing.
~Night
Thank you for being brave and sharing that.
And thank you for all of your kind words. U r awesome!
And thank you for sharing your poem!
Likewise!
I absolutely love this, I don't know about the disease and all, but i know that the feelings are so true and real. People without any disease feel this way. Everyone has these times when they feel the need to know the answer to a question that is too unclear and free to be told. When I say free, I mean like it could be anything and when something is that unstable it just feels like it could break you without falling at all. Know what i mean? Curiosity isn't even enough to battle the scariness of it all.
Thank you so much for reading my poem and for taking the time to try to understand it. It means a lot and yes I get what you mean. Thank you so much for such an uplifting comment.
I think you're really brave, well done. I suffer from trich, and it's not something I usually feel comfortable talking about. You've made me think that maybe I should change that.
First of all, props to you for writing something that rhymes which I don't hate. I thought it was very charming, but also a little bit sneaky. Very nice to read. I think maybe your last two couplets could be switched around. I think you could end quite neatly on 'could I ever be the same?'
A few of these sentences feel very short, which would be ok if they weren't followed by more short sentences. Maybe read it out loud a few times and then try to create a better flow.
I like this. More please
Thank you, I wrote another called skin deep, if you would like to check it out. Im so glad that I have helped you in some way. my goal is to spread awareness and also to provide some support and love to those who feel so alone, I want them to see, they are not alone, and I think you are very brave as well for sharing what you have shared with me. I Am not my BFRB (body focused repetitive behavior) And I refuse to let this disorder take me down. I think the worse thing is the judgements,we get from other people who dont know or understand, because there is not enough awareness of this and other BFRB disorders. If people see me picking in public they assume its drugs, but again its not their fault because they dont know about this disorder. Its finally been named in the Big book of mental disorders I think last year, which means it is recognized by medical professionals. We are making headway here, we just need to keep spreading awareness.
I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I'm pretty sure everyone who knows about this has said that and you're about to hate the next person who says it but here I go.
Good job.
I take risks.
i think this poem is one of the good/sad ones I've seen on YWS. They're pretty rare, but when one is good that's even more rare.
I dont get mad at anyone. In fact it makes me happy to hear that because it means Ive spread awareness to at least 1 more person.
this disorder is full of shame and embarrassment and guilt, I feel like if I can spread awareness enough I can show people who do have it that they can stand up and be strong and fight it, and for those who dont have it, they can be supportive and have somewhat of an idea of what they are going through. Im really glad you took the time to read this and I really appreciate all the positive comments. 
thank you
I really enjoyed reading this. I am always fond of learning about new disorders. This was really creative. Keep doing what you are doing.
Wow, thank you so much!!!
I used to pick at the skin around my fingernails. Is this what you mean? I stopped at New Years' and am lasting pretty well but I don't even remember when I started and I've never even thought of trying to put a name to it O.O
Yes, this disorder can gorangerom mild to severe, and yes some people pick the skin around their fingernails. My problem area is the skin on my face. If I feel any bumps or anyyhing that isnt smooth, my immediate urge is to pick it off, which results in horrible open sores on my face that never heal. Mine is pretty severe but there are others more severe than even me.
Yes this disorder can range from mild to severe* is what I meant.
Well, nice to have a name for it, I suppose. If I get time I'll try and give this a proper review, feels like it would make sense for me to
Thank you