Re: 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=#000090

[HVM Ph.D. - KDK]

Posted 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=#000090

[Heatherly__0]

Posted By Heatherly on August 17, 1999 at 08:40:41
But, is there a known name for this particular compulsive behavior - picking scabs only on the scalp?  Would it be "tric..." or something else?

[HVM Ph.D. - KDK]

Posted By HVMA Ph.D. - KDK on August 17, 1999 at 17:50:53
Dear Heatherly,
You're probably referring to trichotillomania, or compulsive hair pulling (which often results in bald spots). Technically, this condition is classified as an impulse control disorder, but is often regarded as a varaiant of depression or as a variant of obsessive-compulsive disorder. There have been examples of successful treatment with Paxil, one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (a class of antidepressant medications).










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