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General Discussion Forum
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Notes: Last active 1 month, 1 week ago
This section is open to all. Feel free to say hello, ask questions, and share all your thoughts and feelings about OCD.
Topic Title: some advice?
2 posts
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enya2019 said 5 years, 1 month ago:
hi, since I was around 12 I’ve been coping with intrusive thoughts, but more recently I’ve started to really compulsively pick at my skin on my scalp when I’m feeling anxious, I haven’t been diagnosed but I’m certain that I’ve been struggling with ocd since I was around 12, I also have to have my room a certain way or it makes me really anxious, if someone could give me advice to help with these thoughts and compulsions it would be much appreciated thankyou
jennifer1722 said 5 years, 1 month ago:
Hey, I’m sorry you’ve been having intrusive thoughts and think this could be OCD. Have you thought about speaking to a doctor about your thoughts? One important thing to know is that everyone gets intrusive thoughts sometimes but most pay them so little attention they fade away very quickly. If yours have got strong because of the attention you gave them, the recommended treatment (CBT) involves gradually learning to reduce compulsions so they can go away like they do for everyone else. Compulsions are things like asking for reassurance, checking what you did in the past, searching online for answers, etc.
Compulsive skin picking disorder (CSP) is not the same as OCD but it is considered a related disorder. Treatment for CSP can be split three ways. One element is to resist the urge to pick gradually, building up how long you can last each time. It might just be a few minutes the first time but its all a step in the right direction. Another element is to look at habit reversal therapy techniques where you try to find other healthier things to do with your hands to prevent or distract you from picking, e.g. a stress ball or a pen lid or a little toy in your hand. Finally, you will think about what triggers your skin picking and whether their are healthier ways to manage these triggers. For example, anxiety can be managed with meditation, exercise, talking, etc. instead of picking.
I hope this helps