Eating disorder compulsive picker of scabs on scalp, nails, face, skin, boyfriend, dog, HELP!

[Halloween_Baby1031]

I am a picker...picker, picker, picker.  I can remember 5th grade, starting with my scalp. I felt that waxy piece while raking through my head, you ALL know what I am talking about. The one you say "Welcome to the neighborhood, let me PICK you my friend".  Yup, you got it.  You pick and then think "can't wait until that is dry to pick it tomorrow".  Then there are the times I was my face, go REAL close up to see those blackheads that NO ONE in the world can see but me.  Oh but there there, and if I squeeze hard enough, surely stuff will come out, and how fun is that?  And it's FREE!  I can't believe it!  No admission cost and it's free!  Squeeze a non-existant pimple to see stuff come out.  Of course moving right along I have the nose picking (so gross, I know) and the "bobby pin in the ear" to get that gunk out, which only causes more build up.... hey, more fun right?  Can't forget about picking my nails, my hangnails and any skin around those...BITING my toe nails off (another disgusting one) and of course picking off all the dead skin and PEELING it off of my pinky toes.  Did I miss something?  Oh, picking my boyfriend (back, face - which he HATES) and even picking my sons pimples when he was small.  The latest is I found blackheads on my dogs belly, but the WORST of all this is now my son, 10, is JUST LIKE ME!

I know that the stuff on my scalp is waxy build up, and is not anything else but, it's up to me to control the picking and probably rinse and not use so much hair product.  I have VERY clear skin, on my face and my body, but I look for things to pick at!  I also use to have the bubbles under the surface of my fingers, hands and toes and would love to pop them with a needle.

I am thinking this DEF. is an OCD issue.  I have been on meds for a WHILE and I do NOT see the urge to quit my picking.  My son has ADHD and he is CONSTANTLY picking at his cuts and scrapes, he looks like a junkie and his arms and legs look SO bad!

How dare I tell him to stop when I am constantly in the mirror picking myself, having him look for blackheads on my dog, etc?

I also have had an eating disorder for about 25 years now (bulimia and infrequent months of anorexia).  My binge/purge is under control (thanks to therapy and maturity and the will to want to stop) however the "racing" thoughts still exist.  I am on Celexa and I feel this has helped more than Zoloft, which did nothing.

I wonder if I have ADHD and need to be evaluated?  After finding my son has ADHD, I realize it is hereditary and it is a "compulsion" issue.  My mother is a COMPULSIVE buyer and she most likely has it as well, though she isn't a picker.

My younger sister SWEARS by Proactive for her face (she was a huge picker) and her skin is beautiful!

My fear now is I am going to spread my "dirty" habits to my son!!!!

Any adult experience any ADHD meds and the urge to pick a solution?  Have any adults feel like they spread their compulsion to their children?

Anything will help!

[babygirl6152]

maybe he'll work Wall Street-

[Halloween_Baby1031]

I am very much into doing and helping others.  I volounteer my services whenever I can for benefits and trying to donate goods, etc.  I realize that does make me feel better.  

I actually am on Celexa, not concerta....my bad!

My SON is on Concerta and he is ADHD for sure.   He can't stand the thought of sitting still in the class, he feels the urge to get up and walk or run around.  He also yells answers outloud in class....very impulsive.

He will spend HOURS doing legos or playing his guitar (another sign of ADHD).  He can focus when he wants, but he is very scattered in the day to day routine.

[socgirl]

Could be OCD....which is a form of anxiety.  You stated that your son was diagnosed with ADHD and is a "picker" as well.  Is it possible he actually is anxious and not ADHD at all?  I only ask because anxiety is more often than not diagnosed as ADHD.

[babygirl6152]

When you say you are contantly at the mirror-  how long really?

It's usually wise at any age to get the FOCUS off of us as self centered folks and onto thinking of others and how we can help the needy- that way it sorta takes the monkey off of our backs- not just worry about thinking of us but actually find something constructive and helpful to replace those poor habits with- and you are maturing as you said- maturing usually deals a lot with thinking of others than just ourselves, do you agree?

So you could take it to the extreme in the other direction I guess and not really require but ENCOURAGE STRONGLY for him to keep his little hands busy doing productive things like helping others- that's how we were raised.

I am on Zoloft- my OCD is mental counting, and I have not spread it to my kids- the Zoloft works a little but I have done this 'counting syllables, letters of words', they have to end up on my thumb or I rearrange the phrase- it's maddening IF I think about it too much but it is just part of me I guess--since age 6 so it does not interfere with my every day life really, just used to it I guess. Andy I do plenty out of the house and in the house- I like to iron actually- I think I like seeing the wrinkles go out and turn so nicely into pressed material ?? control maybe ??? hahaha
I am just a tad obsessed with making sure I have my family fed their last meal and happy before they go to bed- they all come in at different hours- I feel like a momma feeding her toddlers a bite of apple as they walk by- it's kinda silly...and I work with preschool and other church organizations like Faith Formation for adults and children. These things get my mind off ME-

one plays percussion and piano and goes to high school and works a job.

the other is a martial arts instructor and a owns a pet service, and he has never mentioned that he has any obsessive thoughts other than over-analyzing things

Hope I helped a bit..... but as far as his meds - go for the change - sure- I am all for using medicine to treat OCD and anxieties. I probably could have used some since I was age 14/ I had sort of a blank/no affect/emotionless sort of attitude but at that time it was unheard of to treat a teen I guess. I didn't get on anxiety meds til my 30's and I have more of a personality these days, thank goodness- it's like the first time I took Zoloft I thought- oh so this is what it's like to be happy and sorta normal- hmm I like it!

[Halloween_Baby1031]

Yes, I do talk fast, it's obvious with my writing and thoughts isn't it?  He is on Vyvanse, but I would like to switch him as I think it has run its course

[babygirl6152]

oh and just curious now- do you talk really fast?

[babygirl6152]

what ocd med?