Q:
I have kind of a weird problem and I was wondering if you have any suggestions. As a preliminary, I have bipolar disorder.
About a year ago, I was having problems with stress and anxiousness as I was dealing with a stalker and having to go to court. I started getting uncontrollable itching on my legs and upper arms. I put on all kinds of lotion (including for sensitive skin) but nothing helped. I chalked it up to a psychological thing because of everything I was going through.
I started having the itching again right before I came to college, and again in the past few weeks. But now I view is as kind of a self-punishment thing. Without even thinking about it, I start listing off the bad things in my life and the things I hate about myself while I'm scratching my legs. I've never broken the skin, but I've turned pretty red. After I'm done I usually put lotion on and forget the whole thing, but its gotten to the point where I start my day with scratching myself.
So I suppose my ultimate question is this: I want to get over this, but don't know where to start. Should I go to the counseling center or does this merit more serious attention, such as a psychiatrist, and what charges would I incur in that event? Thanks.
A:
It first would be a good idea to have your skin checked to make sure there is nothing that might be causing the itching. That could be done by a health care provider at the Health Center.
The psychological symptoms are best addressed through both a counseling therapy approach (starting at the Counseling Center) and a review of your bipolar medication management (through a psychiatrist at the Health Center). Visits are free in both places to enrolled students who have paid the quarterly health fee (automatic at the start of every quarter). I'm sure we can be of help.
~The Doc
