Neurotic Excoriation - Mental Health Message Board

dragonrider00 · 04-29-2004, 03:39 PM

Just curious to find out if anyone else has what is called neurotic excoriation (constant picking of the skin, bumps are magnified) or if anyone knows anything about it. I have been picking at my skin, a lot of times unconciously, since I was little and I would like to find out why. I know it is a symptom of OCD but not actually OCD....

Anyway, any info would be great cause I can't do anything about the scarring until I stop picking. Btw, I do have acne and get ingrown hairs but I seem to make them worse by picking. Every bump feels like mountains to me.

Thanks!!

spreeville · 04-29-2004, 05:39 PM

Who diagnosed you with this condition?

Anyway, are you just picking the ingrown hairs and things that are already there? Or are you making these lesions on your own? OCD is related to this disorder due to the compulsive nature of it. Sometimes doctors prescribe SSRI medications to treat this, but I don't think this condition is serious enough to warrant meds. Therapy can be useful.

franjava22 · 05-03-2004, 07:52 PM

I've heard this called dermatillomania. I have it. I also have trichotillomania (hair pulling) and OCD, depression, anxiety and very mild panic disorder. My mild acne looks 100 times worse because I pick at every little thing and then I pick the scabs. One little pimple won't heal for over a month! I also have picked moles and ingrown hairs. I take Celexa for all my issues and it helps a bit. You could wear gloves around your house. (Tell everyone you're moisturizing!)

montreal1951 · 05-03-2004, 08:33 PM

This is a form of obsessive compulsive disorder together with self harming. There are boards for both of these. There are no antidepressants which are really effective with self harm. Cut your nails really short and file them so you cannot do your skin harm. Wear gloves as suggested above. There are alot of self worth issues here - people who hurt themselves in this way ...could be a manifestation of self-hate, low self esteem....Therapy helps....

tomp · 05-09-2004, 02:09 PM

Check what you are eating - you might have allergies. Cooked carbs are known to have a drugging effect. Salt, sugar makes us toxic, acidic. Symptoms manfest in many ways, and we often feel mentally ill from food poisoning. So, try some healthier food choices. especially if you are on meds, as they do tax the system.