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whyamiso_awkward , 12 Sep 2012

Help me!!

I can't stop scratching the skin on my scalp! It's been a problem for the past 3 years and I just can't help myself. Sometimes I don't even relise how bad it is until my scalp starts bleeding. The routine: I feel across my scalp for any imperfections or scabs from the last time I picked and scratch them. When they become loose i pull them out of my hair and then eat them when they are under my nail. After I have done that I scratch my hair all over and stop every so often to eat the contents of nails. After I have finished I go to the bathroom and use a nit comb! NOT USED BEFORE by the way! It's a clean one! This is it: http://www.fotolia.com/id/4990277 Yeah so I use the nit come to scratch the skin of my scalp! I usually then look at my hair and want to cry because it's litterally full of skin. So then I spend ages pulling it out. I'll get up in the morning when my alarm goes of and just sit on my bed, staring into space whilst picking the skin of my scalp. I'm usually still their 20 minutes later! People have even started noticing at school because i get white bits all over my black blazer. I have had comments like 'woah you have tones of dandruff' or 'is that dandruff on your back' or the references to head and shoulders! I just want to shout 'my hair is fine you jerks I have a skin picking problem god if only you knew what it feels like' I know this is turning into a really long post but one last thing... are OCD, hair pulling and skin picking linked? Because I pull my eyebrows out sometimes and even my eyelashes occasionaly and I have quite a range of OCD habits (not diagnosed). I am also Misphonic to sounds! Please message me back SOMEONE! :( I'd love to hear your experiances to! I PROMISE that I am a good listener :) x
7 Answers
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olivegreen
September 14, 2012
Hello! I was sorry to find your post had not been replied to! You and I are much alike, with exception of the nit comb. That one never even entered my mind, although if I had read your post before quitting I'm sure I'd have gotten one. My scalp is also my biggest attraction as far as picking. I think it is mainly because I think no one can see what I've done to myself. As far as I go, the picking is my only OCD-like trait (that I'm currently aware of....). However, I had a roommate in college (my best friend) who was diagnosed OCD and had most OCD traits like handwashing, door checking, picking, eating issues, anxiety, etc. She picked her lip particularly. Just so you know, you can have a "normal" life too (what is normal, anyway, but a quality someone decided on, and who cares what they think, right?) Anyway, my roommate is now happily married with an adorable son. She is on anxiety medication and sees a Psychiatrist. She is healthy and the OCD is under control! Might I recommend that you consider checking out psychotherapy? It may help you to discuss your issues and find your triggers, ways to control symptoms, etc. Try therapy first before medications!!! :) Anyway, I think this website can help shed some light on your question of the OCD link between hair pulling and picking. Sounds like they are closely linked to me. I know for me, anxiety plays a huge factor. I pick the most when I am worried, or stressed. I go into trances like you do, too. You will need to be completely devoted to quitting (like quitting smoking or drinking) in order for you to truly quit. There is even a group that uses a 12-step program to quit picking that uses the Alcoholics Anonymous literature. Again, you aren't alone out there!! Take care of you and get help if you can't do it on your own. It will be 1000% worth the effort and time!! :)
whyamiso_awkward
September 15, 2012
Thank you so much! I was really excited when I found out that I had a reply :) It's nice to know that there are other people out there that understand and have experienced skin picking. I know if someone would have told me that when I was older I would be picking skin of my scalp with a nit comb I would have thought that they were being stupid! Takes all sorts to make a world hey? This website is a god send! It's helped so many people! Anyway Thank you, thankyou, thankyou for your help I can't tell you how much it means to me! Do you think it would be a good thing to talk to my form tutor at school? If so how could I go about that (as in conversation starters) ;) i told my group of friends that I had OCD but they didn't really believe me that much ,they didn't understand that it isn't all about hygiene and because I am good at covering it up and hide it when I am around them they didn't really take it that seriously. Hope you are good xx
olivegreen
September 17, 2012
Hi again! I'm guessing your tutor at school will be more understanding and listen better than your group of friends!!! I'm not trying to suggest that your friends aren't good friends, I'm sure they are, but they probably have little or no experience with this type of stuff. Your tutor should be a better listener (he or she should be trained to listen!) and should offer some good advice or at least a kind ear. As far as how to start the conversation, for me personally, I'd probably have to blurt out something like "I need your help with a problem I have" and then launch into the story. I'm much better at writing my feelings down than speaking them! :) I've found that for me, writing comments to others to offer some help has really tremendously helped me with my picking issues. (Maybe I post too much, but it's therapeutic for me, too!) Plus, there are other forums out there for picking. I posted about one at http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php/forum/60-skin-picking/ And there is some great picking help on that website, too. Keep at it, you can do it!
whyamiso_awkward
September 19, 2012
Yeah my form tutor is really nice its just it's not something even she would know about even though she was a nurse at one time! I think I might try and write her a letter or note or something instead. I'm like you I am better at writing things down! Thank you for your help olivegreen! :) hugs whyamiso_awkward x
olivegreen
September 21, 2012
I'll bet you're right that your tutor won't know about dermatillomania. However, there is plenty of information on the internet and maybe she'd be willing to do some research on your behalf. Since she was a nurse, maybe she'll have a colleague or former boss who could guide her on how to help you. How are you doing with your progress on quitting since your first post? :)
whyamiso_awkward
September 26, 2012
Haha I asked her if I could speak to her last week but she hasn't like come and found me or anything and I'm getting nervous! :L If I tell her will she have to tell someone or will it remain confidential? I just want it to stay between me and her! I'm doing okay i've still been picking but not with the comb!
olivegreen
September 28, 2012
Sorry to hear your tutor has been missing-in-action! Maybe you should sound a little more URGENT in your request to speak with her!! :) At least where I live (Pennsylvania) the only time a professional person has to report something is if it involves abuse, neglect, or if someone threatens suicide or homicide. I'm guessing it would be the same for you, but you have to make sure to tell her that what you say is confidential. I'm glad to hear you've given up the comb! That's a great step! :) Keep up the good work! xoxo

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