Scratching...
 

Hello, I'm Cat. I have been dealing with with my anxiety disorder since I was a little girl....there have been good years and bad years. I havent been on meds or seen a psychiatrist in a few years, and I have a new problem: scratching.
I can't stop. I don't even see a connection between my anxiety level and the scratching. I just scratch, a lot, even if I'm telling myself to stop I can't. This happens a couple times a day. Has anyone ever experienced a compulsion similar to this? What does it mean, what will help me stop?
Thank you.

~Catalina

Cat,

Im no expert on this one, but ur possibly OCDing.

Is it that ur actually feeling itchy? Or no?

It may be something physiological to the anxiety. Just a guess.

Are u seeing a dr or therapist?

Professionals like these should be helpful.

Intro

No, Intro, I dont itch. I just scratch and scratch. Everyone has been telling me its a sign of OCD, so I'm considering going back to my psychologist about this, before it gets out of hand.

hello, i have itching as well, it is an every night thing? i take benadryl for it. my husband thinks im addicted to it. i don't know. i have also been told i have ocpd. is this itching something to do with that? have you heard anything about it? im just looking for someone like me.

Hi,

Compulsive scratching is well known in France under T.O.C (Troubles obsessionnels compulsifs). It´s considered one of the pathologie of anxiety and can be dealt with by using CBT.

Scratching becomes a repetitif ritual to get rid of anxiety. There must be a term for it in English. Try searching the Internet under Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Good luck,

hi cat,

my anxiety goes back to childhood as well! i used to cry in the morning before i even got out of bed! just hearing the birds singing as the sun came up would make me cry. i have never understood it.

i also have my own version of scratching. my psychiatrist said i have a hyperactive brain and to just stop doing it. i pick at scabs on my scalp all day every day! sometimes it really hurts but i keep doing it and wonder if it's ocd or a strange form of cutting.......i've been doing this since childhood as well. i must have a million scars on my scalp. if i ever have cancer and take chemo and my hair falls out, the whole world will know!!!!!! yikes!

good news: less scratching now that i'm not drinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have eczema really bad & it keeps getting worse & worse. I cannot control the scratching. I also notice that I pick at the scabs as well. I have noticed that when I am talking to people, I automatically start to scratch my hands or my arms whether or not I am itchy. This post confirms that it is linked to my anxiety. I think some of it is allergy related as well as when I take claritin or benadryl, it is better.

i have mood changes based on time of day and compulsively pick scabs. I'm real scarred up from that

I do that as well. I was "picking" as I was reading this thread. My husband calls me a constant fidgeter, and it is getting worse, not better. I need to get back on meds.