I think my son and I have a disorder... (Psychology nerds wanted)

[Chickenooble]

I'm 30 years old and I have a two year old son.

Throughout my years, and even to this day, I've had an infatuation with peeling things. I enjoy peeling labels off soda bottles, stickers off products, dead skin off sunburnt bodies, cuticles off my fingers, scabs off my body and paint off walls. During college I worked at the Home Depot and I would love getting pulled into the paint department... because I would secretly paint things behind the counter so I could peel the laytex off the surface. It doesn't impact my professional or personal life... it's just weird how entranced I am when I get my fingers on something I can peel.

Now, my son seems to do the same stuff. Before I get too much further, I should note that this is the first time I've been around a child this age... I've never had younger siblings and I'm an only child, so his behavior might be completely normal -- I don't know.

Anyways, he does the same thing. He get's his little fingers on whatever he can and he starts with the peeling. All his crayons are missing their labels, all his pizzas are stripped of toppings and then cheese, he loves peeling stickers off his color books and he even peels at his cuticles and hangnails, too.

Now I normally exhibit this behavior under two conditions: If I have access to something to peel and if my hands are idle... like, sitting in traffic or waiting to help someone at the paint counter. If I'm around other people I don't find myself doing this and if my hands are tied (with work, gaming or just something else) then I don't do it. Often times it starts unconsciously, too.

What are your thoughts? Have any of you studied this or known someone to have a similar behavior? Like I said -- it doesn't affect me other than making my fingers look like crap from time to time -- but I'm not looking for any clinical treatment... just a name is all.

[Silver_Knight]

I wouldn't worry about it. I use to get these scabs on my arm and i would peel them. It hurt, however, i still did it. There are people that like peeling stuff. It just varies with the person. In one of the links below someone likes to peel glue off their hand. I use to do that a lot to.

EDIT:

I was thinking about this and it could be Ocd.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), or behaviors that make them feel driven to do something (compulsions).

Often the person carries out the behaviors to get rid of the obsessive thoughts, but this only provides temporary relief. Not performing the obsessive rituals can cause great anxiety.

/
We all have weird addictions. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3094902AAd5Imu
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2160814AAcdbCv
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...0103103AASEznt

[Morganator]

I don't call it a disorder but rather like to use the word "quirk" instead. It's a quirk so long as it doesn't interfere with your personal or professional life.

[Silver_Knight]

I don't call it a disorder but rather like to use the word "quirk" instead. It's a quirk so long as it doesn't interfere with your personal or professional life.

I agree. As long as you messing you up any then he should be fine. If he is really concerned, he should contact a specialist.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Wait... Everyone else doesn't enjoy picking scabs?

[Silver_Knight]

Wait... Everyone else doesn't enjoy picking scabs?

I thought i was the only one.

[Cybertox]

Wait... Everyone else doesn't enjoy picking scabs?

I absolutely hate doing that.

[podsaurus]

I don't call it a disorder but rather like to use the word "quirk" instead. It's a quirk so long as it doesn't interfere with your personal or professional life.

I agree.

On a less serious note you should buy plenty of oranges and bananas at the store.

[claud3]

i could have actually peeled that banana before

[Morganator]

i could have actually peeled that banana before

That's what she said.

[claud3]

oddly enough i love apples and cheese

[Kuro]

I don't see anything wrong with that. Used to take off the sticker from bottles lol.