Anyone else have OCD-like behaviors and trouble reaching orgasm?

Hi - I'd be interested to hear how your research goes. I am mildly OCD in some areas but a pretty severe skin picker at times. I have not had any orgasm issues except when I was on Zoloft. I'm on Lexapro now - it helps my anxiety somewhat, but not really the OCD. However, I do not have the orgasm issues with it. As for hormone-deficiency, I've never been tested or looked into that for myself. What hormones are you referring to? I'd love to know if that's part of my problem. Thank you and good luck.

Hello, Iam 21 yes old and have suffered from anxiety/skin picking since early high school, I never really realized my obsessive picking of my scalp was an actual condition till recently. Within the last 6 months I have been put on lexapro for my anxiety although the skin picking continues. I would also like to mention I have never been able to reach an orgasim with any partner I have had. I can only guess its something mentally or on a different level that I cannot control which makes me unable to do so. Im very intrigued by your research, please let me know how it goes. I hope this helps. ~Noelle

hmmmmm how are they related? Nancy G

I am a picker and it has been extremely difficult to reach an orgasm with my partners. I have been picking since high school. I'm also a compulsive eater and shopper. I have also been diagnosed with depression several times and taken prozac, lexapro, effexor, etc. I was sexually molested as a child numerous times. I guess the picking, eating, shopping, and other things are a way to punish and reward myself simultaneously. Perhaps it also makes me feel that I have some sort of control, or at least that's what I think. However, my picking controls me. I pick at my scalp, at random times. I try to hide and be discrete, but it feels great to be able to run my fingers through my scalp and feel a scab. I think my mouth even waters. I feel like a true champion when I can get a nice, thick and big scab without breaking it in the process and then putting it in my mouth. I want to stop. In spite of the picking, I have awesome hair. However, I will be 33 tomorrow and I know that my rocking hair will begin to thin out soon. I also remember seeing my mother eating her buggers once. This allowed me pick my buggers freely, since it was mom approved. Needless to say, I would not want any of my future children to catch me picking anything.

I have been picking since I was about 11, and am now 26. I certainly feel like I have a hormone deficiency - I certainly love my husband, but I have never been "in the mood" in my life. I have a very hard time concentrating enough to reach orgasm.

Wow, that's really interesting! I'm very curious to know what your research brings up. I am 21 and suffer from anxiety and skin-picking. My fiance and I definitely have some trouble with intimacy, and I'm convinced it's from my anxiety. I have often wondered if there is some sort of hormonal imbalance, but doctors have told me it's most likely the anxiety. I might look into it some more. Keep us posted on your findings!

I never considered that the two might be related, but now that you mention it I absolutely have this problem. I'm 19 and have been picking since I was 11 or 12. It's also extremely difficult, if not impossible, for me to achieve orgasm. Reading other comments, though, I feel like my sexual problem differs from the other posters. That is, I still get extremely aroused very often. I love my boyfriend and we have sex about 3 or 4 times a week. However, not once have I ever had an orgasm with him. I get really excited, but ultimately never climax. It's been the same way in my other relationships, too. If I do end up climaxing, it's because literally hours of time and effort are involved and this very rarely happens. But yeah, if your research could potentially fix both these problems at once you'll be worshiped as a saint.

I am a nursing student and i have a picking problem. I peel the skin off my fingers and lips and eat it. Ive been doing this since i was a child. Im 22 yrs old and only had an orgasm one time. I thought that it was due to lack of knowledge on behalf of my partner and i but was never certain.To give u an idea of my sex life, Ive been sexually active since i was about 13 and had 3 serious boyfriends. One of a little over a year, one for close to 4 years, and my current one im with will be 3 years in october of this yr. Between those relationships, collectively, ive had encounters with close to 20 guys, including the 3 boyfriends. im sharing this info with you because in light of ur research, i figured it wld b helpful because in my case although ive had all these encounters ive only ever had one true orgasm (that does not include masturbatiom of course) but anyway.... If you need more info from me, please do reply to my post. I hope this helps in ur research.

Please link me to any studies if you write one up or find any correlation, best of luck with this and if you need any help let me know. ( also I think the sexual aspect of this affects women more than men due to the nature of the hormones; testosterone is to multifunctional and picking does not seem to affect it negatively, quite the contrary in fact, it seems to me that need to pick in men comes from perfectionist , ego, and sociopathic ambitions that are typically associated with a high testosterone/sex drive. Of course I only have myself and a few of the men I have collected data on since CSP is more likely to be found in women. I think you may be on to something big here. Best of luck, stay strong

lifeisbeautiful, it's as if you were to sit down next to me and ask, "Hi. What would you say are the three biggest problems in your life?" And I would say, "Picking at my fingers, toenails, and any scabs that come from anywhere; being OCD to the point of extreme frustration; and not being sure if I can ever have an orgasm without hours of frustratingly extreme effort (which I'm not even sure results in an orgasm or just an exhaustion induced shudder). Seriously. Can you private message people on this site so I can give you my e-mail address? I would be very, very, very interested if this study goes anywhere. I take Sertraline HCL 100mg (generic Zoloft) every day for non-professionally-diagnosed OCD and anxiety. I know this caused my mother to have trouble orgasming early in her marriage to my father, so she stopped taking it, but I don't really know how to broach THAT topic with her. So the offhand comment was all I ever got. So maybe that's related to it. Might be something to keep in mind if the things are related. It could just be that OCD and skin-picking are related, and antidepressants keep you from orgasming.

EXCELLENT thread! I believe there is a correlation and think you are onto something! Maybe it has something to do with endorphins being released maybe? I really do not remember having orgasms without stimulating my "bean". Women's vaginas were not created for pleasure. They were created for childbirth. God did women a favor and made a clitoris, which he placed outside your body. Then you always have access to it and do not need a man to get off, but it sure is better that way. Some women are wired differently and are able to push their body to an orgasm without any type of penetrating or contact with genitalia by just contracting their pelvic muscles by doing "kegels". We are all wired different. Half the fun of having sex with your partner is being able to find what makes you unique and gets you off. To all the ladies that just don't know what an orgasm is, please for the love of the V, touch yourself. Place your index fingers on your clit and wiggle left to right. Adjust speed and pressure to what feels good. This is where you could put your partners finger under yours as well to help teach them what you like...mine loves this! As far as my CSP goes, I'm finally now admitting I have a problem. I've dealt with this since I was a child. I have large scars all over my legs and feet. It's embarassing and I am feeling less feminine due to not wanting to ever wear shorts, skirts, or dreses even though I love wearing all that. My fiance loves me for me, and is working with me to identify my stressors and try to eliminate them. Work, school, life, marriage, children, etc is stress and I'm not eliminating any of it so I just need to learn how to deal. Anyways, I am glad to have fun this new resource for me and hope you all the best in ironing out your kinks. I think that's half the point of life. But if you can get right in your head before you run to the doctor to jump on a medication I believe it will mean a better quality of life that you were strong enough to cure yourself. Pills are not the answer to everything. Oh, and most importantly, regardless of our OCD, we are beautiful anyways! Contact me at foxy_roxy007@hotmail.com -Bella

I just began researching OCD and picking, as I also begin confronting my sexual problems. I found it interesting that someone is researching a correlation, since it is very difficult to find information on female sexual problems. I have been sexually active since I was 15, however I have never orgasmed with a partner. The older I get (I am 22) the less desire I feel. I can remember feeling aroused when I was younger, or in the beginning of my relationships, however now I never feel in the mood, and I only have sex with my partner because I know it is healthy for our relationship and I do not see how not trying will help anything. I have asked various gyno's if it could be a hormone imbalance, some nerve issue, blood circulation etc, however almost all of them tell me bluntly that many women have problems orgasming and that it is a mental problem. I am tired of hearing this answer, because I do not know where to begin unlocking whatever is in my psyche that is blocking my ability to feel aroused. I have a case of abuse in my childhood, however it is hard for me to blame my sexual problems on something which has happened to so many others who do NOT have the same problems. As far as picking goes, I have always been easily immersed in plucking eyebrows or other hairs, as well as messing with breakouts and blackheads to the point of visibly damaging my skin. I just recently realized that I do it more than the average young person, and I am trying to control the urge (it is stronger when I am upset or stressed.) The only conclusion I can come to is that it is some kind of self-mutilation, or an attempt to rid myself of imperfections. I have never been on any type of medication, and I would like to attempt to treat myself without antidepressants or similar drugs. It is all really strange to think of oneself as a psychological patient, and I am trying to cope. I hope to visit a therapist, however affording treatment is not within reach immediately. My fear with the sexual issues is that it will be detrimental to my relationship, I love my boyfriend and find him attractive, but it almost seems like my body does not respond, not even to sexual fantasies or thoughts. I was interested to find this forum and I hope there will be some conclusive or helpful posts in the future!

I almost feel a weird sense of relief finding this page, and specifically this topic. I'm 26 and I've been picking/eating since I was 8 (had a horrible case of psoriasis which lead to my current situation), and have had maybe one orgasm in my life. I'm currently in a relationship (2 previously as well) and nothing gets me there (I couldn't even tell you if I were close, because I have no idea what it would be like). I'm like the original poster in the fact that I have sex to please my boyfriend (and it's fun) but as for some kind of sexual release, there really is none. I've never talked to anyone about this, out of embarrassment. As someone else said somewhere in the forum, my main philosophy is "It's only hurting me, no one else, and no one notices, so who cares?" I've always done a good job in hiding it from my bf (or maybe he just ignores it), except for the time I dyed my naturally brown hair bleach blonde and you could see the blood. I'm so glad I found this page and can say I don't feel alone any longer! The next problem I foresee is finding a proper psychologist/psychiatrist to help me treat this disorder.

I have just started to come to terms with having a problem skin picking....only the last couple months have i relised i'm slowly destroying the skin on my arms, and can get totally lost when i'm having a 'picking episode'. Its always been a bit on and off for me for many years which is why i never really thought anything of it until lately when its really starting to become an obsession and a ritual i have to perform everyday. I have been with my bf for 4 years now, but the last year i have completely lost my sexual drive....its frustrating because i have never had this problem before, altho my bf now is the only one who been able to get me to climax. Before i blamed the contraceptive pill as the reason i have lost all interest in sex but i have been on the pill since i was 16, so im not sure. After reading this forum maybe my need to 'fix' any skin perfections, but in fact making my skin worse, has made me lose confidence and feel less attractive. I have taken up pole fitness classes and even have my own pole but still doesnt seem to have helped me feel 'sexy' again. The thought of my partner even touching me makes me feel anxious. I have talked to him about it and get really upset because i can't understand whats wrong with me. I'm wondering if maybe a break from the pill may solve my problems, maybe its causing my need to skin pick. I think because skin picking is always in the back of my mind i find it hard to relax and it must be why i can't get in the mood. I seem to have terrible mood swings lately too. I don't know if this has been on any use, or anyone else feels the same. Its hard trying to come to terms with everything at the moment, but hopefully now i recognise i have a problem i can finally start to put and end to it and enjoy life again.

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Yes. I have thought is was sexual side effects from my meds (have been on one or another since I was 12). Hearing what you saying though gives me hope that there is something more I could do than just take wellbutrin to counter affect the symptoms. Also, I love sex and still enjoy it. Sometimes I let myself get frustrated with my inability to orgasm, often my partner has been more upset about it than me. I really would like to be able to come though. I actually have quite a high sex drive (and am female). I just can't get off.

Hi everyone, thanks for your input! I see there is a need to dig deeper to find answers and solutions to these problems. I'm going to submit a research proposal to TLC and hopefully my project will get funding. If the project is a go, I will put a message on this site asking for volunteers to participate in the research. It will most likely involve self-hypnosis and meditation to evaluate the effect on skin picking and sexual dysfunction.

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I am a 25 year old African American/Mexican female who was diagnosed OCD when I was 18, have been picking since I age 8 and have only had an orgasm during sex once just a few weeks ago. I am very interested in hearing what you find in this study.

Hi, I am kind of relieved to read that I am not the only one with this problem. I have been picking at my skin since the 4th grade. It seems to give me stress relief. I have been on antidepressants, but they didn't seem to cure the OCD picking I have. I am now 34 and am still struggling with this. Over the years I have wandered why I couldn't have an orgasim with my previous partners. I found it odd because I would have no problem giving myself an orgasim, but it has never happened with a man. It always made the man feel like he was inadequate. I think this could have been the reason to why some relationships didn't work. I'm interested in what your research results with find. It's comforting to know I am not the only one.