[Ginger Mary]

Hi all.

I need to ask a stupid question, but I guess I should put it in perspective first. I'm bipolar which started out with signs of depression when I was 11. Back then I started getting pimples abd squeezing them sometimes. I tried not to, but it became a habit. I now get about 2 pimples a month (I'm 24 now), but I still scratch at every imperfection on my skin. I no longer just scarth my face and neck, But my torso and legs too. I find myself scratching as a distraction and sort of "zoning out" when I do it. I seem to get very focussed when I do it. I'm also more prone to it when I'm stressed or depressed, or feeling emotionally unstable or hurt. Is this a form of self-injury? I've been seeing a psychiatrist, but even though the sores on my face are clear, he's never asked about them or mentioned them. How do I approach the subject with him?

[larakeziah]

i would think its is a form of si. Has your psychiatrist never asked you if you have self injured or not? Every assessment i've had they have all asked me and they ask how and where and how often etc. If he hasn't asked then maybe you could bring it up by sayin to him that you have a compulsion to scratch yourself in various places when you are under stress or upset etc and ask him for his advice on how to stop. This may lead him to ask questions which you should answer truthfully. If he doesn't ask any questions then he's not very good in my opinion. I hope this has helped. Sorry if it hasn't. Good luck and take care of yourself. Feel free to pm of anytime if you need. Keep us posted

[Ginger Mary]

Thanks. I think he did ask me once way at the beginning, but I was very shy and it was an awful situation (he was called by my T sort of against my will). Anyway, he usually asks whether i've attempted suicide. But not about that. I will try to tell him next time I go, but I'm still a bit shy around him.

[WePow]

Sometimes it is hard for them to bring up this subject I think. Mine doesn't ever bring it up. But it is something you need help with, so try hard to bring it up. Maybe you can do art about it and just say "This is how I feel when I am zoning out when I am picking" ? Kinda something he can't avoid if he has a picture infront of him that you hand him.