Self injurous behaviours | ADHD Information
Yes peita - I was a very active "picker" (thanks bepatient for remembering THAT one! LOL!! I have to keep my yap shut HA!)
My problem was when either anxious OR bored I'd pick at my nails and cuticles. And the feet too. I would hack at my callouses until they were raw. I am not sure why they bothered me so much (or even if that was it) but I would go at it when not occupied mentally or stressed.
My nails were one of the first things I noticed when the meds worked. Long nails! I actually had to trim them to get rubber gloves on at work! First time ever and it actually shocked me. I haven't chewed one nail in a year or more. I had to learn how to care for them -to remove the gunk under them and care for the "moon" at the base. It was all new territory.
It has to be an ADHD thing - it just went away when I got control. I had to buy all these gadgets to clip and clean. And one to buff my callouses - I wear steel toed (and uncomfy) boots about 8 to 12 hours a day and believe me it gets me very tough soles. Not so bad since I switched to synthetic socks as my base when I read about the testing of cotton vs. nylon. Surprised me I would have thought blisters would have been more common in synthetics but color me wrong!
Im on Cipramil for depression.
What medication is for anxiety? I really should know this, I work in the field Thanks bepatient, glad I'm not the only picker 
I know self injurous behaviour isn't a trait of ADHD, but do any of you have any experience in this area.
I pick the skin on the bottom of my feet until they bleed when I'm highly stressed or anxious. At my worst, I actually dug out every toenail 
You all are probably thinking Im way strange now eh?
Just a little with, "every toenail" 
. There was a topic similiar to this a while back. I'm too tired now to get into it now but I remember that Glen and I had the same "picking" issues, LOL .
I'll get back with ya on this one Peita. I'm sure it's just an anxiety issue. Have you taken any meds for anxiety or depression? The SSRI's, especially Lexapro can help with anxiety. 
Sounds like some women I know.
Or knew.
http://www.stanford.edu/~corelli/borderline.html
DiagnosisA
person with a borderline personality disorder often experiences a
repetitive pattern of disorganization and instability in self-image,
mood, behavior and close personal relationships. This can cause
significant distress or impairment in friendships and work. A person
with this disorder can often be bright and intelligent, and appear
warm, friendly and competent. They sometimes can maintain this
appearance for a number of years until their defense structure
crumbles, usually around a stressful situation like the breakup of a
romantic relationship or the death of a parent.
Symptoms
Relationships with others are intense but stormy and unstable with
marked shifts of feelings and difficulties in maintaining intimate,
close connections. The person may manipulate others and often has
difficulty with trusting others. There is also emotional instability
with marked and frequent shifts to an empty lonely depression or to
irritability and anxiety. There may be unpredictable and impulsive
behavior which might include excessive spending, promiscuity, gambling,
drug or alcohol abuse, shoplifting, overeating or physically
self-damaging actions such as suicide gestures. The person may show
inappropriate and intense anger or rage with temper tantrums, constant
brooding and resentment, feelings of deprivation, and a loss of control
or fear of loss of control over angry feelings. There are also identity
disturbances with confusion and uncertainty about self-identity,
sexuality, life goals and values, career choices, friendships. There is
a deep-seated feeling that one is flawed, defective, damaged or bad in
some way, with a tendency to go to extremes in thinking, feeling or
behavior. Under extreme stress or in severe cases there can be brief
psychotic episodes with loss of contact with reality or bizarre
behavior or symptoms. Even in less severe instances, there is often
significant disruption of relationships and work performance. The
depression which accompanies this disorder can cause much suffering and
can lead to serious suicide attempts.
If you really want to know more about self injury try http://www.recoveryourlife.com/ There's alot of good info and experiences there.
I quit 'biting my nails' when I startrd working at a Printing company , I was the "greaser" for the presses. I couldn't get my hands close enouth to my mouth due to the smell and the 'grime' under my nails. I knew they tasted exactly as foul as they looked, so I began to cut them at the quick with out the pain of tearing.
As far as OCD, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for me , REALLY WORKED
! But it was arrived to me by the environment instead of a psyrink. If there's a short nail thats kept trim, it's easier to clean under the nails so ya aint eatin machine grease, dirt, possible poisonous metals or chemicals you might've came into contact with ( i've also worked in a battery plant for cars ,, lead-acid).
Could this be considered OCD? Or was I just trained by the company.
::side note:: Does anyone here listen to the alan handelman show on the radio? Had an expert on germs and viruses on last night
Things like chewing your nails down until they bleed honestly isn't self-injuring behavior.
Biting nails and picking skin I put down as a compulsion. It's a nagging urge the nibble, chew or otherwise occupy time doing something about something sticking out. OCD all the way![/QUOTE]
I agree 100%. Nibbling and picking it totally different than cutting yourself!
Nail biters count sarita. Seems to be a "fidget" that is all too common. I was guilty to where I hadn't seen a fingernail not bleeding and sore since childhood. Now I have no clue what to do - still learning grooming and that's part of it. Blah.
Peita when I'm off meds during holidays I notice the "urge" or that itch to nibble. It is subtle and sneaky but I can say no. But yes I believe you'll nibble more often off meds. When the meds are peak working fine I don't feel the need one bit!
[QUOTE=Peita Pan]
I'm on Cipramil for depression.
What medication is for anxiety? I really should know this, I work in the field Thanks bepatient, glad I'm not the only picker
[/QUOTE]
The only SSRI ( typically for depression) that has been approved by the... some-m some-m for depression AND anxiety is Lexapro.
I take it and I have no side effects. I still have urges to pick at times. It sounds so friggin bizarre! But if I pick a little bump then it's really hard not to pick it again just before it heals and before I know it, it be comes a cycle.
Also if a family member or Significant other has any king of pump or pimple..I'm just dying to pick it
Now who's gonna think who's weird?
That's what i thought Glen as I didn't do it at all while on the meds. Strange isn't it.
Resistance- I love that, the Island of Misfit Toys. If ever I want a title for any of my writings, I'm coming to you
You all are probably thinking Im way strange now eh?
We were there already sweety
We all have oddities here on the Island of Misfit Toys.
Steer clear of Herbie though, he wants to ba a de........well, no need to type THAT word at ya.
In that case as I'm not on meds at the moment that would explain why I'm back to picking again.
I wonder if self destructive behaviour is the same?
Does being a nail biter count? [QUOTE=Peita Pan]Resistance- I love that, the Island of Misfit Toys. If ever I want a title for any of my writings, I'm coming to you
Anything for you. I am at your service my dear.
How much self injurous behaviour an be attributed to lack of stimulation?
I seem to get into the same mood when I'm bored or fed up with all the half finished things I have going. I think I'm more likely to do it when I'm feeling overwhelmed too
Oh to figure out have the hell my brain is wired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[QUOTE=Peita Pan]How much self injurious behavior an be attributed to lack of stimulation?
I seem to get into the same mood when I'm bored or fed up with all the half finished things I have going. I think I'm more likely to do it when I'm feeling overwhelmed too
[/QUOTE]
I agree Peita. The thought of picking occurs only when I'm not actively involved in something or if I'm overwhelmed.
I have a theory; I think the act of picking focuses the brain, somehow calming it and bringing everything to one focal point. Similar to an alarm going off that you've set to remind you of something. Or when you're hyperfocusing.
Does that make any sense to anyone else?
I know, again it sounds "weird", but thats what I think.
bepatient38781.7472106482I definately do it when in hyperfocus mode!! Only when I'm in hyperfocus I have real trouble stopping, even when it's really hurting and bleeding.
My mum just gives me a disgusted look when I hobble in 
The main activity I have identified as ADHD related through the epinephrine dumps associated with it. However, I never thought of the after effects as indicative of self injurious behavior.
But I ache for days afterward.
Things like chewing your nails down until they bleed honestly isn't self-injuring behavior. It's a compulsion where you just can't stop at a safe point where there is still nail left behind.
I watched my exgf hurt herself and there were always 2 reasons for it:
She wanted to feel something - her words. She'd cut herself on a glass window by punching it or grind something sharp into herself just to feel. Her bipolar left her numb and that was her way to feel something that was under her control.
She wanted attention - my words. She slashed her wrists (in a non-lethal way) when things were going bad and she felt left out of other people's thoughts. She would harm herself so that others would be forced to be there keeping her under control. That way she actually had the reigns of the situation.
Biting nails and picking skin I put down as a compulsion. It's a nagging urge the nibble, chew or otherwise occupy time doing something about something sticking out. OCD all the way!
My sister used to hurt herself. She says she doesn't do it anymore once she understood why she was doing it.I am pretty sure she has add. But doctors tell her she's bipolar and borderline. But I've researched about self injury for a while, as you said, it is a way of trying to have control in your life. It's not necessarily linked to a disorder.
picking!
this is something i cant stop doing i carry a little knife that i use to hack at the skin around my finger nails. when i stop at traffic lights i reach for my knife and start, i get some weird looks from other cars but i dont care, i pick and chew them till they bleed my 10 y old son make me ware plasters if i have to go to his school, i know it looks terrible but i realy cant help it i have to pick. my boyfriend is good he let me look for spots for him and i have to pick any scabs he has (i know its grose) but im so obsesed with picking