Anxious habits

[Slipperyfish]

Does anyone have any weird anxious habits? I’m feeling very overwhelmed and stressed at the moment and I honestly just scratch and itch all day and don’t realize I’m doing it. Both the back of my hands and forearms have been scratched that much they are sore. I’ve tried putting bandaids on my skin to stop but then I end up scratching the bandaids. The only thing that’s been kind of helpful is if I wear a hair band on my wrist and flick that. I just wish I could realize when I start so that I can stop myself.

[Sophie_M]

Hi Slipperyfish,

Thanks for reaching out to this community tonight. We're really sorry to hear what you've been going through and understand that these feelings must be overwhelming. But please know that you're not alone here, this is a safe and non-judgemental space to express these thoughts and feelings, and our community is here to support you.

Can we ask if you are you currently receiving mental health support, or have you in the past? If not, we would urge that you do seek professional support to help you work through these urges that you're experiencing. If you are not sure of how to access mental health support, please contact the Beyond Blue Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or get in touch with us on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST here: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport One of the friendly counsellors can offer you some support but also provide you with advice and referrals for seeing a counsellor in a more ongoing way.

Many of our members will understand and may be able to help. If you would like to post further, please tell us more about what's on your mind and how we can best help support you.

[geoff]

Hello Slipperyfish, if I begin to continually scratch an itch or an area on my body, which I know is frustrating, I rub brown vinegar, (not white) over the area, it may sting briefly, but the sting takes my mind away from wanting to itch but definitely stops me scratching.

Please try to do this and we'd be really interested to know the outcome.

I hope this may help you and remember the sting takes away the urge to scratch.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[P0L0]

Hello Slipperyfish,

It can sometimes be difficult to stop physical symptoms of anxiety. I cannot relate personally to what you are going through. Despite this, I do get a sort of itchy sensation in my hands when I am stressed. To try to get over this when I feel it coming on, I try to treat them almost as mosquito bites. If I stop scratching, thinking or focusing on it for long enough, they eventually go away. I realise now that what I do is a form of meditation - trying to calm myself down, focus on my breathing and take my mind off what is at hand. Therefore, perhaps try calming yourself down when you realise you have started scratching.

Hope this helps!

[Slipperyfish]

Yeah I have a counselor that I see. I don’t have another appointment for a few weeks but I’m on the cancellation list for a sooner appointment.

[Slipperyfish]

Thank you! I’ll give this a go! Although I imagine it’s going to sting considering my skins broken and turning into scabs. I’ve started knitting aswell and it seems to keep me semi distracted 🙂

[Pip20]

Hi Slipperyfish,

Mine is jaw clenching, some days I will have been doing it for hours before I realise what I am doing, and then I become aware that I am doing it and stop it, and my jaw hurts a lot.

In the past couple of months I have also completely shattered 2 of my teeth from the pure force of my anxious habit - I have had to get rebuilt by my dentist.

Obviously I went to my GP and they have me talking to a pro, to try and help, so far they are OK, but not really helping me deal with the day to day stuff.

So I made up my own plan and I have set a small alarm on my phone to ping every 15 minutes, just like a text message type alarm (not a wake up alarm), so I can check myself to try and be aware if I am doing it.

[geoff]

Hello Slipperyfish, with the brown vinegar it does give a small sting, that's what stops me from scratching, it's psychosomatic, sorry.

Geoff.

[Slipperyfish]

I clench my jaw too!!! I’ve cracked 2 teeth and I now have a splint I wear to bed! I’ve even had Botox in my jaw to try and stop aswell! It’s just never ending drama!

[Slipperyfish]

Oh don’t be sorry! I gave it ago and it has stopped me scratching!