12 year old anxious and skin picking

[Toothsil]

Our DD who has just turned 12 is going through a terrible time with anxiety, and has recently started picking her skin. At first it was just along the top of her forehead and she didn't realise until it was bleeding. Now it's right down her nose and chin as well as her whole forehead. I tried to speak to the GP but just got told it's a common symptom of anxiety, get her a fidget toy to distract her. That's not going to work for her, her mind is going over and over worrying about things while she's picking - it's all school related. She's in the top sets for everything but her recent marks haven't been very good, and I think it's because she's so anxious and goes to pieces in tests. She's been in tears tonight again about it all. I'm at a loss as to how to help her.

OP just saw your post. This is not on. She is going to be left with scarring if this is not dealt with.

I would go back to the GP and be referred back to CAMHS. The waitlists are horrific though so if you can afford a private referral to a child psychiatrist I would get one.

In the interim I would be trying to cover the areas as much as possible so she can't do more damage (so plasters). I would get her a fidget toy. I would be asking school to be on it as well and so if teachers see her doing this encourage her to use her fidget toy.

Your poor dd! I would certainly go back to your gp as he can prescribe creams and can also refer her. Camhs does have a long waiting list but you can refer her yourself online, they will send forms for you to fill in. I'd then ask for a meeting with the school to find a way of supporting her in their setting, they have a duty to meet her needs and it doesn't sound like they are doing that. Ask if they have a school counsellor she could go to and ask them to come up with a plan to help her in lessons to support her anxiety. Has anything recently happened at school?