Okay, this might sound very weird but in the past few months I have developed a habit with picking the skin on my scalp. I feel that I do it to neutralize my intense anxiety stemming from a recovery from PSTD, and OCD flare-up and a tragic, recent break-up. I was wondering if anyone else out there has this habit, how often do you do it, and what works in trying to stop?

Again, I know it sounds weird. It's like a form of nail-biting for me, and I have few other habits other than this. Can anyone relate?

Thank you,

Laney

The secret is to substitute another behavior for this. Be mindful of when you do it, and immediately switch to the preferred behavior. It could be something very simple like squeezing a soft ball or scribbling on a piece of paper. Always have the objects like the ball with you. The more useful the preferred behavior is, the faster you will break the habit. If you use a computer a lot and type with both hands, that could be the preferred behavior. That was the preferred behavior I used to break my own destructive habit.

I have developed a bad habit over the last two years due to anxiety about, I think, how I will be able to survive... on my own... given the financial and health challenges I face going forward.

I had an accident in the kitchen in which I splashed hot oil onto the back of my left hand and burned my hand and arm badly. When it was healing, I took to peeling the scabs off, and this has developed into a "pleasurable habit". *Now*, I can understand the pleasure people get from inflicting momentary excruciating pain upon themselves.

In fact, I finally discussed going into a nursing home with a social worker; perhaps, I will be able to stop my bad habit when I resolve this most difficult of decisions.