Posted by NKP on July 25, 2010, at 2:32:06
I have a problem whereby I bite my fingers when I feel angry or under stress. Not my nails but the actual fingers.
A few days ago my right index finger became infected. They've put me on antibiotics but said that if my finger hasn't substantially improved by Tuesday I'll have to go to hospital for intravenous antibiotics. There is a small chance I could lose the finger since apparently finger infections can become very nasty very quickly.
The doctor who treated me said I should go to see my psychiatrist. I thought he was really judgemental and I felt offended by how he treated me. Some of his comments included:
* I've seen many things but this is a first.
* At the beginning of the consult he asked me "What can I help you with" and I told him I hurt my finger. He asked how and I said that I bit myself. His immediate response was "Who's your psychiatrist?"
* He asked me when the injury took place. I told him I'm not sure but I first noticed my finger was painful on Thursday. He then replied in a sarcastic and irritated tone of voice "Look it's not every day that we bite ourselves so when did it happen?" I told him I'm not sure because I do actually bite myself on many days.
* He asked me when my next apointment with my psychiatrist is. I told him I don't have regular appointments with my psychiatrist. He then interjected in an irritated tone of voice "When is your next appointment?" and I told him I don't have one. I thought that my answer that I don't have regular appointments implied that there therefore wasn't a next appointment already scheduled.It felt to me like he dismissed me as some crazy freak psychiatric case and he also spoke to me like I'm stupid.
Anyway what I want to know is what could be the cause of this destructive habit of mine and how might one treat it?
poster:NKP
thread:955804
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100720/msgs/955804.html