“how do i stop this ”
hi my name is Rose I am 11 and I have a problem first of all I wanted to say I have anxiety, severe depression, and insomnia does affect my daily life a lot and one of those things I think it’s connected I think I picked out my feet 24 seven well not 24 seven but I pick up them whenever I’m bored whenever I’m stressed or whenever I’m anxious and I don’t know what to do I’ve talk to my parents about it but they don’t know any of this stuff so I need a recommendation from a doctor so I went on here thank you
Female | 11 years old
Complaint duration: i don’t understand this question
Medications: fluoxetine
Conditions: Anxiety, severe depression, insomnia
3 Answers
You could be having an excoriation disorder which is a mental health issue that presents in compulsive skin picking.
Hi Rose. First, you are very resourceful and smart to have come on this forum. I will answer your question and I want you to share it with your folks.
Problem #1 is that your fluoxetine is not doing the job. It is not the greatest for treating anxiety. Talk with your doctor about buspirone as a second medication that is specifically made to treat anxiety. It can be added to the fluoxetine. If your doctor is not a child psychiatrist, then it is time to see one. They are more knowledgeable about these things and may be more comfortable with medications like buspirone or gabapentin to treat anxiety. As for what you can do.
#1 wear socks and change them at least twice a day
#2 - treat your skin on your feet with a cream for athlete's foot - this will help them heal and soften them so there is not so much to pick at
#3 - wear gloves - like winter gloves or mittens. This will serve as a reminder not to pick.
#4 - get a fidget toy or some beads on a string to fidget with when you are feeling anxious.
Problem #1 is that your fluoxetine is not doing the job. It is not the greatest for treating anxiety. Talk with your doctor about buspirone as a second medication that is specifically made to treat anxiety. It can be added to the fluoxetine. If your doctor is not a child psychiatrist, then it is time to see one. They are more knowledgeable about these things and may be more comfortable with medications like buspirone or gabapentin to treat anxiety. As for what you can do.
#1 wear socks and change them at least twice a day
#2 - treat your skin on your feet with a cream for athlete's foot - this will help them heal and soften them so there is not so much to pick at
#3 - wear gloves - like winter gloves or mittens. This will serve as a reminder not to pick.
#4 - get a fidget toy or some beads on a string to fidget with when you are feeling anxious.
Thank you for reaching out! I had sufferred from something similar as a child. It sounds like it stems from anxiety. But I also wonder if there is ADHD. Talk to your doctor, Sounds like you are on a good medication. What also helped is someone rubbing your feet with lotion and soaking it in clean warm water. Have you thought about getting therapy, I think that would help too.
Hope that helps.
Dr Sangra
Hope that helps.
Dr Sangra
