Compulsive Scab Picking

Posted by a href=mailto:***@****/a on August 13, 1999 at 11:29:05PIs there a name / known drug to stopbrcompulsive scab pickingbronly on the scalpbrthat has continued for years???brCan you also respond privately?PPHR WIDTH=75% SIZE=4 COLOR=#000090Posted by HVMA Ph.D. - KDK on August 14, 1999 at 08:25:13PDear Heatherly,pSome compulsive behaviors tend to diminish when treated with a class of medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's). Beyond this, I can't offer you much information because any decision about medication must be made in the context of a full understanding of the patient's condition and functioning.PPHR WIDTH=75% SIZE=4 COLOR=#000090Posted by a href=mailto:***@****/a on August 17, 1999 at 08:40:29PBut, is there a known name for this particular compulsive behavior - picking scabs only on the scalp? Would it be tric... or something else?brPPHR WIDTH=75% SIZE=4 COLOR=#000090Posted by Heatherly on August 19, 1999 at 09:41:56

So, compulsive scab picking would be just an
"impulse control disorder", not trichotillomania?

Posted by HVMA Ph.D. - KDK on August 20, 1999 at 08:29:58
Dear Heatherly,
Perhaps you're focusing too much on a label for the symptom of recurrent, repetitive picking at scabs. Trichotillomania is compulsive hair pulling, and it is classified as an impulse control problem. I included this information because you seemed to be referring to it in one of your notes. It is probably not what is occurring with the situation to which you are referring, but there's not sufficient information to reach any conclusion. If you wish to send along more details perhaps I can offer you a more helpful reply. Dr. KDK