self inflicting pain

[petb]

hi

 

my son has been pressing on his thumb nail. it has seemed to start lifting up.

 

he was bitting under his bottle lip a couple of weeks ago. that has seemed to stopped and now he seems to be doing this.

 

has anyone else have any experience with self inflicting pain? i think that is what he is doing.

 

we do epson salt baths.

 

thanks

petb

[Chemar]

hi pet

what you are describing is more often related to OCD than just TS tics

 

the pain caused stimulates endorphins (naturally produced opiates) which produces a feel good sensation which in turn causes further action to get the reaction

 

when we had this issue, our physician recommended excercise (naturally elevates endorphins) as well as D-phenylalanine (which also aids in elevating endorphins) The D-phenylalanine can only be used short term but we found it very effective. Phenyalanine in the L form is used more for depression but should generally be avoided for people with TS as it elevates dopamine which in turn would elevate tics

 

sometimes serotonin stimulators can also help with self injurious behavior (the over the counter ones for this are Inositol, samE, st john's wort and 5HTP...and as has been mentioned before, vit B6 to be taken with these)

 

I would highly recommend tho that you consult with your physician before adding any of these as each situation is unique and having a qualified person provide guidance, especially for a child, is important

[flower]

Like Chemar wrote, it is part of OCD - I have this obsessive thoughts where I keep bending my left pinky backward. I am testing whether it'll break but of course, I don't go all the way. It makes no sense but that's OCD. When I am taking excessive sugar (which kills inositol - coffee also kills inositol by the way), or when it's close to taking my dosage of Inositol, I have these thoughts. When that happens, I just quickly take it, and it goes away. I also noticed that it DOES make a real difference to me when I also take Vitamin B and Mag/Calc/Zinc tablets properly when taking Inositol. I think it's lets your body absorb inositol better.

[petb]

Thank You...that helped.

petb