Questions about teen substance abuse and skin-picking, too!

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I have not posted for quite some time but have some questions about situations

with my teenage daughter (age 16). The last year and a half we have had trouble

with her using marijuana to self medicate. She is not officially dx with OCD,

but anxiety/panic, but she has had OCD behaviors over the years. Also, she has

had sensory issues dx officially since she was 5 (tactile defensiveness). The

older she gets, the more I see the anxiety and her trying different things to

overcome it. She has been on 100mg of zoloft for three years but now wants to

go off of it. I am afraid the panic and OCD thoughts will return. She recently

talked to me about her skin picking ... she is quite concerned about it. She

picks at her arms and legs and it leaves scars. Bless her heart, I know it is

embarassing for her!

I guess between the substance abuse and this skin picking, I am just at a loss.

She was in therapy for awhile last year but just got burned out. She wants to go

again, but with someone new. I think she needs it ... she is heading into her

jr. year and had so many academic problems last year (we thought it might be

ADD, but after alot of testing the Dr. said it was mostly anxiety, plus apathy

from Zoloft and marijuana). School is so stressful!

It is really hard when you have dual diagnosis. She won't go to 12 step but IS

willing to go to therapy again, as I said. Plus she offered to do drug testing.

Has anyone else had an issue with drug use as self-medication? Any ideas about

the skin picking? I have read that Zoloft can exacerbate it, so maybe it is

good she is weaning down.

Sorry if this is rambling! Thanks for any suggestions or words of

encouragement!

Tina