Obsessive Scalp Scab Picking

[justhere]

i was prescribed 200 mg of zoloft with 150 mg of lamictal. have you tried upping your dose or trying a new med, or med combo?

 

[PaulWantsHelp]

I've been picking the same scab on my head since 1998. I rip it off about 100 times a day. Not kidding. I notice that I rip it off or pick at it at every single red light. I'm glad I found this website, and that I'm not alone. I've never noticed anyone else doing this. I've read some of your stories and comments. I really think I love the very small amount of pain it causes. OTC counter treatments does not work for me. I've even shaved my head and put a band aid on the one single spot. Should I go see a doctor? Is this worth paying to tell a doctor and paying for possible OCD meds the rest of my life? I really would like to get some feedback please.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

OTC medications are NEVER going to work for OCD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Definitely go to your doctor. Ask for advice on medications and/or a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in OCD.

 

[Retired]

paying for possible OCD meds the rest of my life?

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a treatable condition but requires medical intervention as David has alluded to. Hopefully with the right combination of medications prescribed specifically to treat OCD along with supportive psychotherapy, you might not have to take meds forever.

If this behaviour is affecting your quality of life, and it appears to be, according to what you've shared, then you would be well advised to ask your family doctor for a referral to a mental health specialist and take back control of your life.

Life is too short to allow something that can be treated to dominate you.

Do you have a doctor you can consult?

 

[DrMikeMiller]

Since my last posting, a study published three years ago showed that 56% of people who took N-acetylcystene (NAC), an amino acid, reported dramatic improvements. I've seen people take 25% of the dose studied (2400 mg) and report greatly decreased urges. Last weekend at Trichotillomania Conference in Chicago, some are speculating, based on several functional MRI studies, that CSP and Trich may be due to abnormalities in the brain's processing of glutamate, which is why NAC is so often helpful and SSRIs are not.

NAC is available at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. without a prescription. In this case, I respectfully disagree w. David. THis is NOT OCD. In new DSM, it will be classified as OC Spectrum Dx, but NOT OCD.

For more info on NAC, Body Focused RepetItive Behaviors (BFRBs), trained providers, a free info pack, and more, go to trich.org. These are increasingly treatable conditions.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Since my last posting, a study published three years ago showed that 56% of people who took N-acetylcystene (NAC), an amino acid, reported dramatic improvements. I've seen people take 25% of the dose studied (2400 mg) and report greatly decreased urges. Last weekend at Trichotillomania Conference in Chicago, some are speculating, based on several functional MRI studies, that CSP and Trich may be due to abnormalities in the brain's processing of glutamate, which is why NAC is so often helpful and SSRIs are not.

NAC is available at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, etc. without a prescription. In this case, I respectfully disagree w. David. This is NOT OCD. In new DSM, it will be classified as OC Spectrum Dx, but NOT OCD.

For more info on NAC, Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), trained providers, a free info pack, and more, go to trich.org. These are increasingly treatable conditions.

I don't believe I actually said it was OCD, Mike. I was responding to this post:

I've been picking the same scab on my head since 1998. I rip it off about 100 times a day. Not kidding. I notice that I rip it off or pick at it at every single red light. I'm glad I found this website, and that I'm not alone. I've never noticed anyone else doing this. I've read some of your stories and comments. I really think I love the very small amount of pain it causes. OTC counter treatments does not work for me. I've even shaved my head and put a band aid on the one single spot. Should I go see a doctor? Is this worth paying to tell a doctor and paying for possible OCD meds the rest of my life? I really would like to get some feedback please.

And what I said was:

OTC medications are NEVER going to work for OCD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Definitely go to your doctor. Ask for advice on medications and/or a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist specializing in OCD.

It was PaulWantsHelp who raised the point about OCD. I assumed that at some point he may have been given that diagnosis. Even then, I specifically said "OCD or obsessive-compulsive behaviors", although if I were rewriting it I would have preferred "OCD or obsessive or compulsive behaviors" to make it more clear.

 

[DrMikeMiller]

Doubtful that anti-depressants will/were of much help. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) might be helpful. A study showed over half of people who compulsively pulled their hair or picked their skin were greatly helped. What some of my clients have reported is that they have greatly decreased urges. Regards.

Mike Miller. PhD
Trichotillomania and Chronic Skin Picking Treatment Cleveland

 

[DrMikeMiller]

My bad. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Marina]

I have been picking scabs on my head all my life. When I was a child I was taken to the doctor to have holes seared (Burned) that would not heal. I continue this today and consider it as part of a tic with TS. It relieves my pent up anxiety. My TS son picks his chest and arms.

 

[Retired]

Welcome to Psychlinks, Nainst.

Have you or your son ever received any form of treatment for "pent up anxiety" or OCD?

Have you ever received some form of treatment or counseling for your Tourette symptoms, or have you managed throughout your life on your own?

Do any of your other tics interfere with your life?