RE:RE: Compulsive scab picking

[JS]

I saw the questions to compulsive scab picking and had to respond because I've been searching the net and this is the first mention of it I could find.  I'm 34 and have had this problem since early teen years.  I usually pick at my skin and scabs in places that don't show or can be hidden w/ clothing: legs, upper arms, but will also pick at exposed areas as well.  It is embarassing and I want to and have tried to stop for years, but just can't do it.  I will pick at cuts and scrapes and make them worse or if I don't have a cut or scrape I will pick at blemishes and cause a scab to form.  I'm generally able to stay away from picking at my face.  Like R.S., I otherwise function fine in life, I'm married w/ a child, and have a job.  My wife has likewise been non-judgemental. I'd llike to say understanding, but to be honest, I don't understand my compulsion myself.  I do not consider myself as OCD, but can see some aspects of it in this.   My question is: WHAT CAUSES THIS AND HOW CAN I STOP?

[MLBD]

I pick at the sores on my legs til they bleed.  Once hat happens I am good to go.  It is weird can anyone else help me understand why?  It is almost a relief after the scab is picked off and then  bleeds.  HELP PLEASE. Marie

[lydia]

I am amazed & a little relieved to see so many people suffering from the same condition.  I can go way back in my childhood & see where the "picking" started & how it brought me comfort. I usually contentrate on my scalp (I also have psoriasis, does any one else?) This is how the scabs originate & then I just can't leave them alone.  Now, to even get more honest (and unfortunately grosser) I also pick my nose & eat the scabs & boogers.  This is so disgusting, I know it must seem like a gag memo, but it's not.  I have never admitted this out loud (or typed) before in my life.  I am a 42 year old woman: married, mother of teen-age daughter, successful, seemingly well-adjusted & moderately over-weight (about 30 pounds) but still very attractive---what gives???

I have never gone to therapy & I could never admit this to any one any way.  I am considering joining Overeaters Anonymous because I am also a compulsive overeater & I think this disgusting habit somehow ties in.  Is it an eating disorder of some sort?  An obsessive-compulsive disorder?  What do you think?

[kmb]

Wow, I find it hard to believe there are other sufferers to scab picking out there! I pick 'only' at my scalp, causing it to bleed, but for some sick reason that gives me pleasure and have been doing it for years now. Every once in a while I may pick at the back of my head, near the hairline. I will also go through phases where I get enjoyment from picking when I have company, I know what I am doing is gross and twisted but I'm drawn to it. I understand it is a disgusting habit and have NO IDEA how to stop. I am 21, a few people in my life know that I suffer from scab picking and have not judged me on it. I have not sought professional help nor taken medication for this condition. So far scab picking has not interfered with my life other than me possibly being sprung picking away or it gets that worse they are noticeable on my head.

[Sandy]

Can I join this club?  I have been picking at myself for over 40 years now -- using all the same adjectives to describe my behavior.  I have been taking Prozac(20mg)for approximately 7 years. I was able to control/stop the picking at myself for years, however the habit has returned.  I did not start taking Prozac for this reason, I have suffered with depression on and off since childhood. After reading some of the postings, I am wondering if perhaps I need to change medications, or have the dosage increased.  So I will call for an appointment, run off a copies of all statements written in this forum.  Present them to my doctor, and for the first time in my life will admit to my doctor that I have this compulsive behavior -- and -- am in need of help.  It is the strangest feeling, to know that you are hurting yourself and at the same time receiving comfort.  I am not the only person in my family to do this to them self -- My sister will tell me to "pick one scab and leave the others alone -- make it your friend". I guess I like having friends.  Making light of the situation isn't helping with trying to break the habit.  What really is upsetting about this habit is that I have become a liar. When people ask about the marks on my skin, I have a set story (always feeling shame and disgusted with my behavior).

[A. S.]

I can't believe I was able to find a whole site of people with my exact problem.  Like the Guest from Dec. 14, I sucked my thumb until I was 9.  I finally stopped and picked my lips until I was somewhere around 14, though I still do ocassionally, and I have always had a thing about picking scabs, but since I was not quite sixteen, I have picked and picked and picked at my scalp.  It is so gross, disgusting, embarrassing. . .I am so afraid of someone noticing, finding out about this gross habit I literally CANNOT make myself stop doing!  I try to, even while I am doing it, but I can't stop.  I fall into a trance and get lost in my own world until the sores are reopened and I dispose of the scabs.  HOW DISGUSTING?!  God, I wonder sometimes what is wrong with me.  I have also rocked back and forth all of my life without even realizing, but that isn't disturbing, just a little weird.  Doctors and my psychologists have always diagnosed me as depressive or borderline depressive, and this impulse doesn't help my condition.  I don't know how to stop, I don't know what's wrong with me, and I fear things inside of myself that lead me to do this.
I'm only 20, so I'm hoping that I'll find a way to stop soon.
I'm just thankful that I found others that know my pains.
A.S.

[Christi]

Pschyogenic Excoriation, I have found this to be the closest discription to this problem.  I found an article online under the Psychiatric Times website.  If you want me to send it to you just email me at ***@****.

[dw]

I am 29yr old female.  I have this seemingly uncontrollable urge to pick at scabs as well.  Pick and pick. In a transe-like state.
It is comforting.  Even if it is painful.  Ever since childhood.  I am currently on Paxil for depression but, as of late, my depression is worse and so is my scab picking.  I stumbled upon this forum by doing a net search on this very subject.  I have seen psychiatrists in the past but I have never mentioned this out of sheer embarrassment.  I also suck my thumb. I conceal both of these.  Why these childhood afflictions have followed me into adulthood I do not know.  Compulsive Disorders.  Are their any other medications other than paxil?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear JS,

This particular symptom can be, but is not necessarily, a symptom of OCD. Whatever the case, you experience an impulse that you have had chronic difficulty controlling. As you can see, you're not entirely incapable of controlling it - you are able to refrain from picking at parts of your body (e.g., your face) which are visible most of the time.

With most such problems, there is some involvement with brain chemicals, namely the neurotransmitters which help electrical impulses move among neurons.

It would be a good idea to obtain a consultation with a psychiatrist, who may prescribe, as part of treatment, one of a 'family' of antidepressant medications called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. These medications influence the availability of serotonin, one of several types of neurotransmitters.

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[yayasis]

ok so I've been picking since i started breaking out as a teenager. Its getting out of control lately. Its so bad that i don't even want to go out of the house. I try to cover my scabs up with make up but it doesn't last. I also pick at my scalp i had picked a scab and it still has not healed and its been about two months. I feel ashamed and embarrassed by this. I need to stop but i can't. My mom picks too i think this is where i learned thus nasty habit. I look in the mirror everyday and see that my face us filled with scars and i get depressed. I know i need to stop but i feel like i'm already too far gone. I need some help

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[jennifer]

I wish that I was writing this explaining a cure for all of you out there, but I am not. I too suffer from this complusion. It was only last night that I admitted to my boyfriend of 6 years about my compulsion. I have been picking for almost 23 years - as long as I can remember. I seem to have radar for finding the smallest of bumps anywhere on my body. I tend to pick in places that can be covered up and have become a master of disguise with makeup. I have always felt ashamed by this habit and still do. Whenever people would see my scars (and I have plenty of them) I would lie and tell them I had a roller blading accident or something else very lame. My boyfriend thought that I had a skin disorder and was always very helpful, but he was a little upset that I had lied to him and not told him for 6 years that I had been secretly picking. We are going to see a doctor next week to try to get some help with my compulsion, but I must admit that I am terrified. My parents tried taking me to all kinds of doctors when I was in grade school. They even gave me medications that were supposed to stop the bumps, but I still picked. I hope that someone will be able to help me. I have wasted too long covering my body. I am so jealous of those people who can take a shower and then just throw on some clothes. I always have to spend a half hour concealing my scars with makeup and beach vacations are always too stressful to be enjoyed. I wish you all luck!