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Old Jan 05, 2011, 10:55 PM
confused43 confused43 is offline
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Member Since: Nov 2001
Posts: 79
Hey everyone -
I am new to the OCD form. I have a question about it. I constantly dig at my scalp and it gets flaky and sore and i still do it. i will actually look at my scalp and hair for flakes to fall on to my clothes and to see how much flakes i have. Does anyone else do this? I feel really alone with it. I tried dandruff shampoos and t-gels without reliefe. I am thinking this is an OCD things, but am not sure because most off the behaviors i have come across are cleaning, hoarding etc.

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  #2  
Old Jan 06, 2011, 12:09 AM
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Christina86 Christina86 is offline
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I've done this too, actually I still do sometimes... it could be because your scalp is itchy, but it's likely more because of cognitive/behavioural/emotional stuff than actually having an itchy or dry scalp. Why do you think you do it, do you think about anything while doing it, are you even aware you are doing it while you're doing it? I've been told if you've got an urge to do something, you should find ways to occupy yourself. So if you bite your nails, find something to do with your hands and chew gum so you won't bite your nails. So maybe a solution would be to wear a hat, and/or find something to occupy your hands with? Is there anything similar about the times that you do it? I tend to do it when I'm bored, stressed, anxious ... but I'm not looking for the pain (which is strange, since I've also dealt with self injury which is different for me) ... it's almost satisfying?

Have you thought about talking to a doctor about it, or seeing a counsellor/therapist?

Edit: In trying to find useful information for you that might help, I came across this. Maybe it will help? http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...it.html?cat=70

Another edit: Actually, I think I did a post about similar stuff a while back. I'm not diagnosing (since I can't since we're all just peers here!) but maybe look at dermatillomania and see if you can identify with it?
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scalp digging

Last edited by Christina86; Jan 06, 2011 at 12:17 AM. Reason: addendum again
  #3  
Old Jan 06, 2011, 12:13 AM
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Gus1234U Gus1234U is offline
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i had severe trichotillomania for many years (18), and had to wear wigs, because i would pull all my hair out. i tried Wellbutrin, and there is one other med often prescribed, i can't remember the name of,, but the side effects were too much for me,,, ask your doc, even a primary care doc, do a little research,, OCD are notoriously hard to treat,,, stress seemed to make mine worse,,, but that's life,, ~~~ hope you find a way to get better,, best wishes, Gus
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  #4  
Old Jan 10, 2011, 04:14 AM
vertebrae vertebrae is offline
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confused43 ...

I have experienced the same thing from time to time. I have OCD as well and find that I need symmetry in just about everything I do.

That goes from grooming habits to having things sort of lined up on an imaginary grid (so to speak).

With regard to the "scalp digging", I'd have to agree with what Christina86 suggested. A lot of times when we are either bored, nervous, or preoccupied with something that may be causing ourselves anxiety, we tend to seek out a diversion.

That diversion can be either a concious or subconcious manifestation. I believe that the scalp digging / picking / plucking / etc. sort of is an indicator that we are experiencing stress or anxiety of some kind that we may or may not be aware of (or willing to admit to ourselves).

The skin picking satisfies that diversion and also may be calming or even pleasing to a degree. Whatever the end result may be, it is a tactile stimulation that, in essence, acts as a pacifier.

Keep aware of when you are performing said scalp digging and ask yourself (or take an emotional survey of yourself at that moment), "OK, what is bothering me right now? What is on my mind that I am having to pick at my scalp?"

Be candid with yourself and make a notation of what those potential stress cues may be that cause you to pick at your scalp.

OK, hope my brief input here was of some assistance to you.

Take care,

vertebrae

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