Bothersome repetitive body movements

[doctorpws1]

I hope that someone can help me with this as weird as it sounds. I have a long history of severe depression and anxiety which is not controlled. I might state that I have never had any problems with or been diagnosed with OCD and I don't believe this is my problem. For many months I have the constant urge to pick at and rub my fingers together and it is driving me crazy. It happens all day long every day. I have cut my fingernails short, used lots of lotion on my hands and even wear latex gloves (which I can't wear all the time). There is a support group for people who pull at their hair and pick at their skin but I didn't get much help there. Has anyone else ever experienced this and if so, did you find anything that helped. Thanks for all constructive replies.

[Veteran250]

hello….. your medical problem is called EXPORIATION, I’m not medically qualified to advice you, but go on Google Search for EXPORIATION….. good luck.

[doctorpws1 in reply to Veteran250]

No I think you mean excoriation which is simply scratching at the skin. This is called dermatillomania.

[Downinil in reply to doctorpws1]

Hi doctorpws1, I find myself scratching and my skin and picking like you described. Mine is anxiety related which is likely what you struggle with. Have you had a medical consult regarding this?

[So_It_Goes]

Hey I kind of did something similar- and I definitely suggest going to a therapist and/or a general physician asap.

For me, my therapist had me keep a record of it during the day for maybe a week. She wanted me to include a bunch of stuff: the day, time, how long I did it for, what emotions I was experiencing (before and after doing the behavior) and also, what happened just before I started engaging in my behavior.

Anyway- she looked over the info I collected and saw there was some pattern (I would do it a lot more before hanging out- esp if there would be a lot of strangers around) and came up with different things I could do instead.

I didn’t have any like cuts or blisters, but the therapist said if i started to see any physical consequences id have to go to the doctor to make sure they/it weren’t infected or anything.

idk if that’s helpful- but I’d go speak to someone if you aren’t already and definitely see a doctor to make sure everything’s good physically.

[MaggieSylvie]

I have done this all my life - lips and thumbs, now fingers. I suppose it gives me some sort of comfort. I can stop it when I am suitably ashamed, but soon start again somewere where it heals qiuckly. Hard skin that arises from constant housework is always a temptation.