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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sonya on August 26, 2005, at 13:44:52
I just found out from another forum that what I always considered a bad habit is actually called dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking) and that dermatillomania is part of the OCD spectrum of disorders. Does any else have this, and what do you do/take to control it?
Posted by Phillipa on August 26, 2005, at 18:34:00
In reply to Dermatillomania, posted by Sonya on August 26, 2005, at 13:44:52
Oh No! not something else. I pick my cuticles til they bleed. I just thought it was boredom. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by JenStar on August 27, 2005, at 15:37:53
In reply to Dermatillomania, posted by Sonya on August 26, 2005, at 13:44:52
hi Sonya,
all my life I've been on the "o" side of OCD. I don't have many compulsive habits, but one that I DID have was hair twirling/pulling. I mean, i wouldn't yank my hair out or anything. But while studying, watching TV, or just hanging out, I'd often sit there twirling my hair around my finger. It would inevitable get gnarled beyond fix, and I'd THEN break off the pieces that were knotted (trying to break above the root and save the strang itself!) But this habit was noticeable and I'd have some friends comment on it.I've started taking Lexapro for anxiety, and I've noticed that I don't twirl my hair anymore! I've also noticed that in period of my life with less stress, I did less hair twirling.
So for me, Lex helped, but it was a side effect.
Any other stories?J
Posted by Dave001 on August 27, 2005, at 18:22:28
In reply to Dermatillomania, posted by Sonya on August 26, 2005, at 13:44:52
> I just found out from another forum that what I always considered a
> bad habit is actually called dermatillomania (compulsive skin
> picking) and that dermatillomania is part of the OCD spectrum of
> disorders. Does any else have this, and what do you do/take to
> control it?Well, almost everything is part of the OCD spectrum nowadays. It could
just be plain old fidgeting. :-)Symptoms that are often attributed to the OCD-spectrum could have a very
dissimilar neurobiological origin from that which is seen in its
classical form. SSRIs are given for just about everything, so it doesn't
necessarily mean much when successful treatment of a given symptom
complex is ascribed to them. When amphetamine first became popular, it
was also "successfully" used to treat every imaginable condition.
Posted by platinumbride on August 29, 2005, at 11:24:21
In reply to Dermatillomania, posted by Sonya on August 26, 2005, at 13:44:52
I had a friend who pulled out all of her hair and continues to do so. She just can't help it. Wears a bandana because a wig just makes her want to pull.
I think she finally went the natural route - sam-e and fish oils I think. SSRIs did nothing for her. She also tries madly to use tools she learns in CBT.
Diane
> I just found out from another forum that what I always considered a bad habit is actually called dermatillomania (compulsive skin picking) and that dermatillomania is part of the OCD spectrum of disorders. Does any else have this, and what do you do/take to control it?
This is the end of the thread.
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