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@ryman, hi. Sorry if im butting in. About 27 years ago i was peeling the skin off of the bottom of my feet. I think i just have the tendency if that's possible. In high school i was tapping my fingertips on things, my body, desk, tablets, other people's hands, whatever. lol. I still do. I added counting letters, syllables, music beats, things like that. As a mom, i added checking the window and door locks, making sure the stove burners were off. I haven't gotten to the hand washing yet, i dont think. But thats just good hygiene. The only thing that made me stop with my feet was the pain i inflicted on myself. I bled and the pain could be bad enough that it was hard to walk. So i finally stopped. Right now iam having a problem with an all over itch that started about 15 years ago. Ive been drawing blood, and its leaving scabs. Well,. ive been scraping them off, drawing more blood, etc. Now im getting scars. Ive been complaining about the itching for this whole time. The doctors have not been impressed. And this last doctor I am seeing doesnt care either. She called it something else, but i know what's causing it and i told her. She wants me to see a therapist, and i want to but there are other doctors i need to see first. Transportation costs are killing me. Aside from the disfigurement of my body, this is serious stuff for me because im diabetic. I could get a serious infection. I hope you are able to find a good stress .reliever. Im assuming its stress. Im sure that's what it is with me. Best of luck to the both of us. Have a good evening, Diane (Judy, Diane, Dani)
Replies to "@ryman, hi. Sorry if im butting in. About 27 years ago i was peeling the skin..."
I'm sorry that you're having to deal with so much stress. I so understand your anxiety, having been in that place myself for a very long time. I've seldom done self harm, though I can't say I've never done it, but in 2005-06, I attempted suicide a number of times, and have tried to OD a few times since then. In 2005, I spiraled down into a dark hole of depression, and finally checked myself into a post-attempt facility. After a six week stay, I began seeing a counselor, and I've been seeing counselors for most of the past ten years. I had an 18 month break last year and a new therapist moved to our town in February, and I started seeing him in March. He probably saved my life.
I started antidepressants in 2003. It was a long process finding the right one. I tried a bunch of them. It takes up to 6 weeks to figure out if a med will work, but side effects shortened that time for some of them. The one I landed on has helped me through the past 12 years. You might want to talk with your doctor about trying other antidepressants that won't make you feel worse.
What I learned is that medication can help, and so can counseling, but combining the two is by far the most effective. I recommend both to anyone I know who needs help. It's certainly turned my life around, though I haven't achieved perfection yet. I still struggle with depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. I thank God for all those who are part of my support team, including this group. I hope you'll find the right solution for your situation.
Jim
Thank you for sharing your experience. I commend you for your efforts to work through it and I will keep you in my prayers. I have had so much trouble with side effects from antidepressants and other meds, I try to avoid them. But I can see that stress is causing a lot of problems in many areas so maybe I will try it again. I wish you the best.
Sounds like OCD to me. If you could get to UCLA in Westwood - they can help. One of the few places in the US that has made OCD a speciality. Also, you may find the UK has studied this also.
Look up books by Dr. J. Swartz from UCLA. Try diff Spellings.
@mari, I appreciate your post, the correct spelling of his name is Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D. (I googled him). It looks like he has several books - I have not read any so I cannot make any recommendations. Have you read any of his books? Teresa
I am familiar with his work. What city r u in? Most Drs. would not have a clue about how to help w OCD.
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You aren't butting in. I raised the question because I felt it was time I talked about it and maybe others would want to also. I can see it is a big problem for you. I hope you will find ways to deal with it. I started out pulling hair from my head, arms and face. I still do that. I have scratched till it bled and formed scabs . I would try meds but I don't tolerate them well. They usually make me worse. But there are other ways of dealing with stress. I think for myself I will have to be aware of it before it gets too high and find a distraction. I do hope you can find some answers. My husband was a diabetic and I know how that can complicate things.