Compulsive Scalp Picking

[Christi797]

I am 28 years old and have picked scabs on my scalp since I was about 12 years old.  Normally I find little imperfections, possibly dandruff or dry scalp, and I pick at it until it becomes a scab.  Once a scab develops, I find myself uncontrollably picking at it, so it usually never heals or takes an extremely long time or another scab to develop to stop.  Right now, I have a total of six scabs that I have created on my scalp.  When I am picking I can't necessarily say that it relieves stress like I have found on some of the other web sites, but more of an obsession that I can't control.  I have been treated for depression and PTSD, but have never mentioned my compulsive picking.  I have been prescribed both Zoloft and Prozac with Klonopin for the symptoms of anxiety and depression, but I still seem to pick at me head.  The kicker is that I also do this in my sleep.  I will literally wake up with blood under my nails.  What treatment options are there other than medication?  Should I tell my primary care physician or should I talk to a psychiatrist?  What are some of the causes of this, could it be OCD?  I don't really have any sort of rituals like you see or read about or extreme fears, but I can not seem to stop picking at my scalp, and although I am not pulling at my hair, I am noticing hair loss.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

[Wookie101]

Wow..I do this to! I have a lot of stuff on my arm from picking, there is also a place on the back of my head i pick a lot and sometimes it bleeds. I didn't know picking could be a form of compulsions.

[sweetfleur]

I have the same problem and i've had it for years and i have been having severe headache constanstly for the past few days day and night. and i'm frightened to go see a doctor and ashamed to te him about my habit. i've been imagining the worst scenarios and i'm so worried. i can't conventrate on anything.

[Sanctuarium]

I have recently been able to stop scalp picking, I believe what's been helpful is taking Lexapro for depression & anxiety. Aside from the Lexapro (10 mg once a day in the morning),  I also keep a large hair clip close by me when I am in my room & I play with it if I feel the urge to pick. The hair clip is symbolic as well as it has to do with hair and hair breakage can happen as a result of extreme scalp picking.

[clovey]

I have had a similar problem picking, pulling, biting nails for a few years now, and would describe it as both a symptom of distress and a distressing action. I also used to pick acne a lot honestly I think all 4 are related in nature. It is at it’s worst when it becomes so unconscious to me/when thinking/etc.

Non-medical prescription/suggested courses of action that may work for you:

What to work on long term :
CAUSES : Mental; a mixture of -  
(i) stress;
(iii) mental noise (started as negative self talk, descended into worse things, making thoughts unintelligible and highly disconnected at times);
(ii) feelings of lack of control.

TO COUNTERACT :
(i) stress :
You need to find ways of dealing with stress in your life that are constructive and not destructive.
You might well have done these in the past and lost your way or just adopted different habits. In any case it is always good to try something new and see what fit you best.
Good stress relief - stretching/yoga; a good run; anything that raises up that heart rate and uses excess nervous energy you don’t need addling you. Baths. A nice walk in the park. Listen to calming music. A companion. Make yourself an extra nice lunch. Read favourite book. Find other things unique to You and that You know that relax You.
Stress isn’t going to go away, and will inherently be a part of your life. It can be good and motivating, but you need to stop an overload before it happens, lest it lead to a loss in your constructive behaviour capital.

(ii) mental noise :
I am unsure if any of you deal with this thing, but you may be familiar with the niggling critical voices in your head that never shut up or leave you alone. You need to talk to yourself in a constructive manner. You need to help yourself grow, and provide yourself with a nurturing environment in which to grow. You cannot escape your own head. You are going to need to make friends with it. And when I say that, I mean really, talk to yourself like a friend. Never say anything mean, petty, untrue or unnecessarily scathing that you wouldn’t say to a bosom friend who you truly respect. Be honest with yourself, but kind and gentle. Nobody is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Flaws are lovable.Talk to yourself gently. You need a constructive, not destructive, mental environment. Be kind. Be supportive.

(iii)Make a list of things you are in control of in your existence , and things you are not in control of. Keep it to remind yourself. I know I tend to do these things when I feel/think things are way way out of control or whack. When things f up.
Make another list of your acheivements. These can be anything that mean a single dram to you. No-one can live your life like you can. You need to believe in yourself. You need to trust yourself. You need to see how this is a behaviour and habit, that with time, you can change.

In the meantime :
Now, another thing. It is of course very hard to stop cold turkey, as with any habit, let alone a nigh-reflexive one. You need to SUBSTITUTE! It is time for you to employ yourself as your very own personal masseuse. Try
rubbing the back of your neck, right into your spine sides
rubbing your temples.
Massage your hands.
Placing cool hands on your face.
Putting hands in cool water.
The peppermint oil one I saw here somewhere sounds really great.

Make/buy something to fidget with. It’s ok to fidget. It can even be healthy for you if you sit down for long periods of time according to some recent studies. You might as well do it constructively.

For your hair, if anyone feels very self-conscious about any hair loss, have you considered wearing a wig (possibly with something else beneath it to reduce itching) ? They are very available these days and you can buy some for dirt cheap enough if you are just looking to try a style. I shaved my head being so sick of what I was doing to what hair I had and am thinking of wigs. I think there’s nothing to be ashamed of with wearing them, there is such rich broad variety and they seem like a great thing to play with/ not to mention timesaving if you don’t want to waste time doing hair.

There were lots of great suggestions here in this page.
Bandages, headscarves, moisturising head, dabbing sores with AppleCiderV, keeping hands busy.

Try to constructively work toward blocks of time where you consistently don't do it by whatever method you can think of. Miles are made of inches. It is OK if/when you relapse. You can do the same over, and any break in the habit is a little success for you.

Best of luck everyone and I think it will be alright!

[Mkeegan3769]

I also have the same issues and I have OCD (scalp picking and Gereralized anxiety disorder as well as ADHD) my disorders are a result of childhood and ongoing trauma (loss abandonment addiction in family and self rejection etc. trauma is different and personal per person) but left undealt with and unprocessed my brain mind and body were effected and it became a defense mechanism way of disassociating or anxiety relieving compulsion. God and a program called celebrate Recovery have helped me find the healing process to freedom and peace learning self control and trusting God having faith in him not myself to fix myself because I am powerless to stop on my own. These along with psychotherapy and medication have helped immensely. Washing or styling hair and using lotion are definitely helpful as well as prayer and meditation and keeping hands busy.. praying asking for God to help me control my hands and surrendering my body to him letting the Holy Spirit guide me to self control self compassion and taking care of the body I've been blessed with. Learning mindfulness is very helpful as well and finding the root of your pain and trauma ex abandonment rejection fear unforgivness codependency whatever cause the behavior or looking for relief from your psychological emotional or pysical trauma or pain and learning the tools to deal with your own personal issues is extrmemwly helpful and enlightening! They have many pyschiatry medications and trials they are doing with all natural or pyschadelic or medical CBD oil there are many treatments but most important is therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy, EMDR or accelerated resolution therapy, exposure response therapy or exposure prevent therapy and habit reversal therapy have shown very successful! Go to the IOCDF.com international OCD FOUNDATION for more info treatments and specialists in your area. Also trichotellimania foundation has a website too if you google it with much helpful info and treatment options!

[gg13blu]

I have always been "a picker". Pimples, small scabs....even pimples or blackheads on my husband. Which he HATES. I have picked or scratched my head since I was in my early 20's. I will be 37 soon. The longer it has gone on, the more severe it has become. I have experienced a lot emotional and physical distress over the past decade, specifically the past 4-5 years. Over the past few months it has become very disturbing, as I have created small bald spots and start to panic when it's time to go to the salon because I have to stop. Or else my stylist cannot do her job or my hair with open wounds or scabs present. I have made up lies, such as burning myself with my flatiron, etc. I also have become unaware of when I am picking and when my husband points it out to me, I feel humiliated and embarrassed. I worry people will see my sores or scabs or scars through my hair(which is fairly thin & blonde), especially when it is pulled back. I know that it should hurt when I'm digging at my spots, but it just doesn't. It's actually quite relaxing. Washing my hair or brushing my hair when it's wet does hurt, but I just deal with it. I used to only do it when I was sleepy or falling asleep. Now it's ALL. THE. TIME. Especially when I'm driving. I can't control it. It's very satisfying and stress relieving. It's become very concerning and I just don't know what to do. Today was the first time I googled it. I was actually relieved to find that it was actually "a thing". I just don't know how to stop. I'm anxious and curious to read the rest of the stories and worries and possible answers or solutions. At least suggestions. In a non-judgmental environment. I never realized how truly embarrassed I am by this habit and how weird or gross other people find it. Thank you if you took the time to read this.