[trashking]

it's been an issue since about..the seventh grade, maybe earlier. i just know by that time i was already doing it.
i had already had scabs on my scalp from,i suppose previous picking, though i don't know why i started to do that in the first place.
i still pick at the scabs until they bleed,then i can feel relieved that my scalp no longer has the scabs i guess.
this is an issue i don't like but can't stop when i try to stop?
i don't know...my parents have been trying to get me to stop for as long as i can remember doing it.

[Crazy Hitch]

Hello trashking

I had a look for a blog on this for you here at PsychCentral - I found this good one that kind of explains how OCD manifests itself and yes agreed yours is congruent with what is described

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Symptoms - Psych Central

It helps listening to relaxion music when you're feeling anxious; I find this helps.

Here's a good song that I listen to that I'll share with you.

Good luck with this.

RELAXATION MUSIC -

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[trashking]

Thank you very much-I've been trying to stop for a while and it's always been so difficult. I'm grateful, and hopefully it will help me a lot in breaking this habit.

[Iguanadon]

Wear a hat! I went through a phase of anxious scalp-picking (and I still do it at times currently, just not as bad as in the past where I've picked myself bald in spots! ), and it may seem simple, but in the moment wearing a hat helped!!

[kirby777]

Hi-

I used to pick my scalp. It relieved my anxiety. AT one point I had 8 open lesions on my scalp. I would pick them until they bled. I did not realize I was doing this when I was anxious, until someone pointed it out. My pdoc at the time, really was not concerned , but I was.

[janiedough]

I picked my scalp as well. I remember that it started as a nervous habit from me being paranoid about head lice. My sisters were very social, and always ended up bringing it home. I remember that ever since the first experience with treating the lice, I have constantly re-picked the scabs from the itching even though I didn't get re-infected with the lice. Eventually, the picking became addicting for me and made me feel better when I did it. I was under a lot of stress at the time, so it could have been to relieve the stress. I think my picking stopped after I gained more control and freedom from my sisters. Recently I started pulling out my hair due to a new form of stress in my life, though. It does indeed relieve some anxiety, though I am beginning to get a bit of a bald spot, lol.

[lostfeeling25]

I do the same thing, though not all the time. When my anxiety is super high, my scalp seems to itch and I itch it until it bleeds, then scabs over, then I pick at the scabs. Half the time I don't realize I'm doing it. I also constantly play with my hair as a nervous habit, and many years ago I used to pull it out. I guess the itching it better than pulling it out as the scabs are less visable than bald spots. But in any event, you're not alone! (sorry I don't have any advice for you)