I intentionally scratch and pick my head.

Please keep as anon. I find this really embarrassing.

I often, with or without noticing, pick at my scalp to the extent where it is now flaky and bleeds. I'm really worried that my hair is going to fall out as a result of this or that I'm going to get an infection (despite using tea tree shampoo). It is also quite disgusting and just.weird.

However, I have OCD (diagnosed) and I just find it relaxing and I often do it to relieve anxiety. I know it isn't 'normal' behaviour but I can't stop..I think it is entwined with my problems with OCD. I know at first this might seem a bit funny, but does anyone else have this? Is there anything I can do to help stop it?

Thanks everybody.

Reply 1

Creative

10

lol, I can relate to this sooo much.... although my head never bled.. :eek:

, but I had just a constant impulse to scratch my head .. :s-smilie:

... but then after a while flakes of skin etc flying out from my hair as I combed in the morning + scalp being really sensitive stopped me doing it... so now I just don't scratch at all.. that + long hair-showering session in morning and I'm OK.. :smile:

. So the solution, from my point of view, would be... don't scratch it, resist the temptation. :o:

.. but nonetheless, go see your doctor about it... i'm sure he/she can offer better advice than I can. :p:

.

Reply 2

*Passion*Fruit*

12

Anonymous

Please keep as anon. I find this really embarrassing.

I often, with or without noticing, pick at my scalp to the extent where it is now flaky and bleeds. I'm really worried that my hair is going to fall out as a result of this or that I'm going to get an infection (despite using tea tree shampoo). It is also quite disgusting and just.weird.

However, I have OCD (diagnosed) and I just find it relaxing and I often do it to relieve anxiety. I know it isn't 'normal' behaviour but I can't stop..I think it is entwined with my problems with OCD. I know at first this might seem a bit funny, but does anyone else have this? Is there anything I can do to help stop it?
Thanks everybody.

Try having an elastic band around your wrist and ping it against your wrist everytime you do it.

Reply 3

spatula01

hey it sounds a lot like dermatillomania-i'd say wiki it, but its also worth checking out a few more certified sources (wiki slander i know). its actually commonly associated with Ocd. there is medication you can take you can take if it gets too bad

Reply 4

Anonymous #2

Anonymous

Please keep as anon. I find this really embarrassing.

I often, with or without noticing, pick at my scalp to the extent where it is now flaky and bleeds. I'm really worried that my hair is going to fall out as a result of this or that I'm going to get an infection (despite using tea tree shampoo). It is also quite disgusting and just.weird.

However, I have OCD (diagnosed) and I just find it relaxing and I often do it to relieve anxiety. I know it isn't 'normal' behaviour but I can't stop..I think it is entwined with my problems with OCD. I know at first this might seem a bit funny, but does anyone else have this? Is there anything I can do to help stop it?

Thanks everybody.

I'm Exactly the same as you, Apart from the OCD Thing. I Always scratch my head and have to the extent of it bleeding.. I think its because I have psoriasis on my scalp and as a child it was weirdly satisifying to pick at it.. you know like the scabs you have that you cant resist picking? Its just kind of continued from there.. Nowadays I do find it relaxing and I have never really though why..

Reply 5

TommyWannabe

14

There's a name for this, I think Spatula might have got it.

But it has got a seperate classification methinks. Your best bet would be to visit a doctor.

Reply 6

Anonymous #2

This thread has actually kind of made me think I have a problem, I always thought it was just random and normal but now Im thinking about it Im quite compulsive in my scratching especially when stressed.

Reply 7

*Corinna*

16

lol I do the same thing when stressed....and yes, my head has also bled. Lol.....But I really don't think its something that worrying, unless it really hurts you...I guess you can quit if you just try it. Everytime you feel like scratching...don't :P do something else, find a certain object and play with it. Lol....once, I was scratching for half an hour before I realised it. Now I am almost over it. Good luck with that...

Reply 8

Erradhadh

Actually, it's a form of self-harm; compulsive skin picking being dermatillomania, and hair pulling being trichotillomania.

I think this beyond anxiety and OCD. However, an internet diagnosis can only guess; see a professional.

Reply 9

Spacecam

15

This sounds like a form of self-mutilation but you shouldn't be ashamed of it. You know you are doing it, you know it hurts, and you are worried about the consequences.

If you are doing it Obsessive-Compulsively, then the recommended Medical way around it is to STOP haha. In other words, you should face the anxiety and uncomfortability you get when you don't do it. Eventually you should get used to the feeling when you don't do it, and then you won't need to scratch any more.

In the meantime, I'd see your GP and get some topical application for the areas you've picked. If you feel you can, perhaps mention why you are doing it, and they may be able to help with that too.

You will need will-power, which I'm sure you have plenty of.

Reply 10

*Corinna*

16

lol the replies make it seem so serious....self-harm eh ? hm...I guess it could be seen as such but it can't be worse than smoking which is also a form of self-harm imo
OP really, I think its something you can easily quit if you just try it. :yep:

Reply 11

Spacecam

15

Xristina

lol the replies make it seem so serious....self-harm eh ? hm...I guess it could be seen as such but it can't be worse than smoking which is also a form of self-harm imo
OP really, I think its something you can easily quit if you just try it. :yep:

Yes. It is self-harm. Even biting your nails is "self-harm" or "self-mutilation", and can also be classed as "Pica" - which is a condition of attempting to eat ineadable/non-nutritional items such as plastic".

It may not be intentional but seems to be a habit. We aren't making it serious, these are the proper terms.

It's harder to stop doing something like that than you think. So don't be dismissive of it, it appears to be a big thing for the OP and non of us can truely understand it.

Reply 12

*Corinna*

16

Spacecam

Yes. It is self-harm. Even biting your nails is "self-harm" or "self-mutilation", and can also be classed as "Pica" - which is a condition of attempting to eat ineadable/non-nutritional items such as plastic".

It may not be intentional but seems to be a habit. We aren't making it serious, these are the proper terms.

It's harder to stop doing something like that than you think. So don't be dismissive of it, it appears to be a big thing for the OP and non of us can truely understand it.

actually, as I said I have the same problem so I can understand. And I am not saying its not hard to stop, I still do it sometimes without noticing. However, sometimes it canbe done intentionally and that's something you can avoid if you try. You start from there, and gradually you stop.

Reply 13

farahrara

im only young n i have this problem
no idea to deal with it
no one to talk to
no support
help....?

Reply 14

Spiire

I have a problem like this, mines also pysriosis like someone else in the thread mentioned. Small bumps all over the back of head which I cant stop touching/scratching and picking. It's a disgusting habit and since I have extremely short hair you can see the hair moved out of the way and large blood/scab markings when I fiddle. I really need to sort this out because it's so difficult resisting the impulse to scratch!!!

Reply 15

Anonymous #3

I do this, but to my face.
I HATE IT. But can't stop. I don't even realise I'm doing it until it's too late :frown:

And then I have to wear make up to cover it up.

Reply 16

farahrara

me tooooooooooo
they say even the best cosmetics cant cover
but i seem to cover my face really well
no one at college seems to think anythings wrong with me
im quite surprised u know
foundation works wonders people!lol

I intentionally scratch and pick my head.

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