what steps to take

[scritchum]

I know exactly when my 'forearm scratching' started.  I became stressed by an unexpected visit.  It was exposing and interfering for a 55 yr. old but the aunt and uncle who visited have tried to monopolise me since the day I was born.  Over the past 7 years I have been on Effexor-XR as I became depressed when my only child went overseas and is still there (I have accepted this now), however over that time I have had 4 elderly family members become heavily dependent on me, all with varying degrees of dementia and the stress attached to this affects me every day.  I have tried many positive ways to overcome my anxiety and depression but I notice that when things become all too much "THIS ITCHING UNDER THE SKIN ON MY FOREARMS STARTS UP AND I WILL SCRATCH UNTIL I BLEED"  So my question based on those facts is, "what are the most important steps I should take now?".  Once I got so angry I stabbed my forearm with my nail scissors.  THIS I will never do again because I knew it was overreacting and dangerous and not normal for someone who is thought of as 'a very capable and compassionate person'.

[scritchum]

Thanks for your comments.  I must add that on reading back on my question I thought what a neurotic I sounded like.  I love all these people very much of course, and since then I have a beautiful 51 yr. old brother in "intensive care" and he is not out of danger yet, but I see a top psychiatrist on Thursday and hopefully he will have some suggestions.  I am using a honey based ointment on the lumpy rash at the moment and it is doing some good but the trouble is really inside my head.  

I am having hypnotherapy with a good psychologist but this problem has only flared up in the last month again, so I will tell her about it and show her so she can add it to her counelling.  She has done me quite a lot of good so far.

Thanks

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
It seems to me that you are under immense stress and this is manifesting as a physical reaction.

Stress and emotional upset can make itching worse, no matter what the underlying cause. If emotional problems are the primary reason for the itch, the condition is known as psychogenic itching. Psychogenic itching occurs when a psychological or psychiatric state causes either the itch sensation or a lowered threshold for itching.

Clinical depression can reduce the threshold of itching. You shoul consider meeting with a professional who can teach you how to handle the stress and anxiety. Since you have tried it on your own and have not been able to deal with it effectively, there is every need for you to get help.

You could even require medications to deal with this on a short-term basis. Get yourself a support group who are dealing with sismilar situations. Just talking to someone who is going through what you are can be a stress buster.

ref:http://www.gulfmd.com/dr_articles/pruritus_dr_fadihajaj.asp