Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
I know i have had a problem with skin picking (sorry everyone, i know this is really gross) for quite some time now. For years actually but I never really looked into until now. I haven't received any professional feedback for it or anything, I've just done a little research on the internet.
For a long time a can remember obsessively picking at my scalp and then finding mirrors where I could look and fish all the bits out of my hair. There was something satisfying about it. For the last several years that has also been accompanied by picking of the foot skin. It's been quite a hindrance since obviously when I walk I can feel it.
Of course I've always felt guilt and disgust toward myself for having this problem but have not been able to stop. Off and on I do stop doing one or the other but it always starts again. I know it is caused by stress or boredom or other things but I just can't quit and I really would like to. I have never known anyone else to have this particular obsession. I've had plenty of friends that are/were self-mutilators but they would cut and be more methodical about it. I feel like what i do is way more chaotic and way less bad-ass. I know, that sounds horrible because they are all afflictions and not healthy at all but you know what I mean? I don't have any "cool" scars that other people can identify with. I have gross scabs on my head and feet.
I guess I just wonder how many other people out there have this problem and what can we do about it. I feel very alone...
For a long time a can remember obsessively picking at my scalp and then finding mirrors where I could look and fish all the bits out of my hair. There was something satisfying about it. For the last several years that has also been accompanied by picking of the foot skin. It's been quite a hindrance since obviously when I walk I can feel it.
Of course I've always felt guilt and disgust toward myself for having this problem but have not been able to stop. Off and on I do stop doing one or the other but it always starts again. I know it is caused by stress or boredom or other things but I just can't quit and I really would like to. I have never known anyone else to have this particular obsession. I've had plenty of friends that are/were self-mutilators but they would cut and be more methodical about it. I feel like what i do is way more chaotic and way less bad-ass. I know, that sounds horrible because they are all afflictions and not healthy at all but you know what I mean? I don't have any "cool" scars that other people can identify with. I have gross scabs on my head and feet.
I guess I just wonder how many other people out there have this problem and what can we do about it. I feel very alone...
Get this...my neice, independent of my children, who live in another state, so it's not "monkey see, monkey do"....picks her scalp....ok, this is feirce...and funny...she told me this when she was about 15...she uses a "good tasting" shampoo, because she eats it too!!!!
My daughter was doing it...1000 miles away...I did it, in secrecy (not doing it now, but I replace OCD behaviours...now, my son is doing it...arrrgghhhh!
When I think about growing up and all of the different "grimaces" "rituals" etc, that me and my sibs did (9 of us)....def hereditary and def stress reducing technique (very dysfunctional family situation)....
My daughter started early with the "mouth stretching" "blinking" etc...she is 18 now...I searched many places for answers...a neuro told me it (our behaviours) are a sign of Torret's...(sp).....
I actually will "scrape" my skin with a knife...I don't consider it "cutting"...either...it's a ritual that is methocical and I "loose time doing it"...so def a stress reducer...
So we're weird...WTF!
Thanks for posting.....b
i really hope it doesn't get passed on to my son. sometimes i just don't realize that he sees me doing this stuff and even though he's only a lil over a year old i know this stuff gets processed in his lil brain.
and thank goodness i never wanted to eat either LOL! i don't think i could handle it....but, biteme, the 'good tasting shampoo' thing sure got me to smile :)
thanks again!
For me, it is an indication, that something needs to be felt...and then I have to breath thru it....as hard as it is to do that....if I don't come out "on the other side"...I def will stay stuck in "my addictions"...
I am also, a recovering drug addict and alkie....and grew up in an alcoholic home with severe abuse....
No wonder why some of us result to these coping skills...
Thank you for posting this....it has made me be more aware of my obsessions....thank you.