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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Consumption Of Dandruff An Eating Disorder?

I have had dandruff for years and have always scratched it and eaten it. I know... weird. But I do it without even thinking about it most of the time. I didn't realize I did it so much until someone said something, and its embarrassing. what's wrong with me? Sometimes Ill scratch at my head til it bleeds. Someone told me it was a stress thing and another said an eating disorder.
Mon, 22 Jun 2015
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Persistent scratching the head, eating the dandruff after scratching etc symptoms can occur due to some poor impulse control disorders. In most cases underlying anxiety cause individuals to scratch head and results in poor impulse control. These symptoms shouldn't be ignored. This is not an eating disorder but is an anxiety disorder and impulse control disorder. Visit a psychiatrist for evaluation of your symptoms and help. Medicines especially SSRIs are commonly used in such symptoms. Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc are approved drugs for such symptoms.

Try to divert your attention and dont remain along and still for long time. Behaviour therapy, habit reversal etc techniques help to reduce these undesired behaviours. Visit a psychiatrist for detailed treatment.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi,
Psychiatrist.
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Is Consumption Of Dandruff An Eating Disorder?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Persistent scratching the head, eating the dandruff after scratching etc symptoms can occur due to some poor impulse control disorders. In most cases underlying anxiety cause individuals to scratch head and results in poor impulse control. These symptoms shouldn t be ignored. This is not an eating disorder but is an anxiety disorder and impulse control disorder. Visit a psychiatrist for evaluation of your symptoms and help. Medicines especially SSRIs are commonly used in such symptoms. Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc are approved drugs for such symptoms. Try to divert your attention and dont remain along and still for long time. Behaviour therapy, habit reversal etc techniques help to reduce these undesired behaviours. Visit a psychiatrist for detailed treatment. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Take care Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi, Psychiatrist.