Desperate to stop scalp picking

Are you doing mindlessly, when bored, stressed, etc? Are you picking actual bumps or creating sores?

Both mindless and sometimes just because I have a strong urge to. I pick more when I'm stressed but I find that even if everything is going ok and I'm not too anxious I still pick. I hate this condition with all my soul. I am picking all the scabs I've already created and won't let them heal fully.

Have you seen a doctor who has offered topical medication? If the scabs werent there, would you be picking? Do you have any other areas you pick or just your scalp?

I tried Zoloft and it made things worse. I was prescribed lamictal but I don't want to take it. I think if there were no scabs I would create some, the urge to pick is too strong. I pick wherever I can find a scab, mostly my scalp, but other areas too.

Was the Lamictal for skin picking? I tried to take it for treatment resistant depression, and it started working right away, but then my hair started to fall out, fast, rendering my scalp sores visible. So no more of that. But if it works for picking, I might try again.

I think my psychiatrist prescribed the lamictal to stabilize my mood and assumed it would result in less of a need to pick. I read so many negative things about it though so I'm so scared to try it. I didn't know it could make your hair fall out, now I definitely don't want to try it. I feel like no doctor I've been to really knows how to handle this issue.

Have you done therapy as well?

I did briefly and it didn't really do much. Have you found any medications or vitamins to help with the urge?

I don't have an urge to pick as you describe. What happens to my face and sometimes scalp is more inflammatory. Although I pick to clean the areas out, finding out what could stop the plugs from forming would stop my picking. Have you tried L-theanine? LDN (low dose naltrexone) might be of help or CBD oil?