![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cath78 on January 13, 2001, at 14:06:48
Okay I don't pull my hair out, but I do pick at my scalp. I do it sometimes without realizing that I'm doing it. It's not so bad that people could notice although sometimes I've avoided getting my hair cut because I didn't want my hairdresser to see the scabs on my scalp. Does anyone else do this? Why do I like doing this? How can I stop?
Posted by judy1 on January 13, 2001, at 15:05:04
In reply to Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by Cath78 on January 13, 2001, at 14:06:48
Hi,
Another form of self-injury. Therapy is the big one- DBT especially, SSRIs and naltrexone for meds. Good luck- Judy
Posted by anita on January 14, 2001, at 18:01:16
In reply to Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by Cath78 on January 13, 2001, at 14:06:48
Hiya,
I used to go thru phases of doing this, in a mild way, before I started on meds. Oddly, my father used to do this too. It may be an obsessive-compulsive thing as well as maybe a self-injury thing. Are you on an SSRI? They helped me with it, and I haven't done it in years. Also, using a medicated dandruff shampoo seemed to help with healing.
anita
> Okay I don't pull my hair out, but I do pick at my scalp. I do it sometimes without realizing that I'm doing it. It's not so bad that people could notice although sometimes I've avoided getting my hair cut because I didn't want my hairdresser to see the scabs on my scalp. Does anyone else do this? Why do I like doing this? How can I stop?
Posted by Sef on January 14, 2001, at 20:16:33
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by anita on January 14, 2001, at 18:01:16
Does cutting split ends out of your hair count? I sit sometimes for hours searching for and cutting out split ends in my hair...EEERY...I find myself wanting to do it and being unable to stop once I start. Currently on 30mg Prozac and 300mg Neurontin...starting a new one my pdoc added called Vistaril.
I have not seen a psychologist, only my psychiatrist, since my psychologist died last year. I have been trying to...but all of the new therapists there have not yet been listed as providers, so my insurance doesnt cover them. The office guru's tell me they are working on this problem.
Posted by judy1 on January 14, 2001, at 22:55:58
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but CUTTING OUT SPLIT ENDS???, posted by Sef on January 14, 2001, at 20:16:33
Hi Sef,
That kind of behavior sounds pretty obsessive so the prozac should help. Neurontin has never had any effect on me whatsoever- and I went up to around 3000mg/day- 300 is pretty low. I think therapy would really help you, I hope things get straightened out soon with your insurance. Take care, Judy
Posted by Rach on January 15, 2001, at 7:15:59
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by anita on January 14, 2001, at 18:01:16
I think I may have to join the club of those who obsessively pick/pull/pluck/pop bits of their bodies. I compulsively pick at my skin. I used to have bad acne, but now I just have the odd little pimple and the usual blackheads. Nothing grotesque or worth worrying about, but any time I pass a mirror & I'm on my own, I cannot help but stop and have a good pick at my face. Even if my skin is totally clear, I'll scrutinise it. Sometimes I'll spend 45mins picking away. It's gone beyond normal acne ridden angst.
Don't know what to do, though. Finished counselling, will be withdrawing from zoloft in a month.
BTW - should this be in social?
Posted by Sef on January 15, 2001, at 10:46:21
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but zit popping! (Ugh...), posted by Rach on January 15, 2001, at 7:15:59
> BTW - should this be in social?
I thought the same thing...I will start this up in social.
Sef
Posted by Sef on January 15, 2001, at 11:49:18
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but zit popping! (Ugh...), posted by Rach on January 15, 2001, at 7:15:59
I decided to continue this discussion on the social board for all who are interested...under the subject title: "Bizzarre compulsive behaviors anyone?" Looking forward to further discussion, see you there!
Sef >
Posted by Noa on January 15, 2001, at 11:51:45
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by anita on January 14, 2001, at 18:01:16
It seems to run in my family, too. I do it, and I think it is exacerbated by my meds, actually. My brother also does it.
I have gone back and forth about *what* it is. I don't think it is SI in the usual sense. It seems more related to trichotillomania, which I don't see as SI.
There is an organization call Trichotillomania and OTHER BODY FOCUSED DISORDERS and I think the scalp picking/scratching comes under that category. It feels very biochemical to me--almost like a tic that I can resist but only for so long. Like some people with tics, I can suppress the urge for social reasons but then as soon as I am alone--it has to be done.
As I said, I suspect that my meds make it worse, only because it seems worse in the past few years.
Posted by Cath78 on January 15, 2001, at 22:31:50
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by Noa on January 15, 2001, at 11:51:45
I don't recall doing much scalp picking before I was on meds. I'm on zoloft. My brother used to pull his hair out when he was younger.
Posted by echo1111 on December 16, 2006, at 1:19:47
In reply to Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by Cath78 on January 13, 2001, at 14:06:48
I have been picking at my scalp since forever, I actually remember being about 7 years old pouring salt on my head just to pick out. I am now 31 years old and I still pick at my scalp. I find myself doing all of the time and I really don't condsider it a problem and am amazed to find out the so many people have the same issue. I sometimes find it soothing and when I find something in my hair like a scab or dust it actually makes me happy and I am constantly hoping to find something. As am writing this I am realising how weird it must sound, but for some reason I enjoy it. I try not to do it in public but sometimes I find myself w/ my hands in my hair and I do get embarrassed. Should I be ashamed??? Please someone let me know what you think. Thanks
Posted by cmccaffe81 on June 20, 2007, at 17:24:19
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by Noa on January 15, 2001, at 11:51:45
this might sound weird but I found these posts kind of comforting knowing i'm not the only one who picks at their scalp. Is it some kind of mental disease?
Posted by KayeBaby on June 22, 2007, at 1:06:41
In reply to Re: Not hair pulling but Scalp Picking?, posted by echo1111 on December 16, 2006, at 1:19:47
I am a hairdresser and just so you all know-it's pretty common. I get on a kick where I do it from time to time. Wellbutrin makes me do it more and some other meds.
Weirdly, I associate it with being focused and content. My mind is usually in the 'zone' when I feel compelled to do pick at my scalp.
Not anxious but alert.I took fen-phen and it made me go over every inch of my skin plucking, shaving and grooming excessively. Definately ocd-ish. The scalp picking feels like a mild version. Why do monkeys pick and groom all the time? Is it similar?
When I have the urge to pick I can easily transfer it to another person (and have) Many times my clients have benefit from my bouts of perfectionistic
grooming-their hair ends of perfect. :)Kaye
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.