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biting skin around tip of fingers

I notice my son has been biting his skin around the tip of three fingers. The skin is pink and he appears very sore. He informed me that he hates his fingers. He inform me that the way he bites, has to be done in a certain way. My husband has mental health issues, I am worried about my son. I am a health care provider. I plan to seek professoinal help for him, but would like any thoughts on this matter.
Thank you
Worried Mom
4 Responses
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the good advice. I will try at home.
Helpful - 0
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There's not much you can do on the home front. In general, offer ocasional reassurance, but don't overdo this because it will exacerbate, rather than reassure, him. Another sensible tactic is to say: "What would make it better? How do you want to solve this?" Then see how your son replies. At his young age, a small dose of fluoxetine may be helpful, though prescribers will be careful about use of medication in a six-year-old.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your recommendations. My son is 6-years old and has demonstrated OCD behaviors in the past (excessive hand washing, his bed must be made a certain way at night). What type of strategies can I do at home to help relieve him of these obsessive thoughts?
Worried Mom
Helpful - 0
242606 tn?1243782648
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, you should arrange an evaluation. The behavior is typical of children who display an obsessive-compulsive anxiety disorder. Depending on your son's age, a combination of cognitive-behavior therapy and medication can bring him relief.
Helpful - 0

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