Nail biting (onychophagia in medical language) is one of the most common habits.
Symptoms
The symptoms are both physical and psychological.
People who chronically bite their nails may experience:
- Distressful feelings of unease or tension prior to biting
- Feelings of relief or even pleasure after biting
- Feelings of shame, embarrassment, and guilt, often related to the appearance of physical damage to skin and nails caused by biting
- Tissue damage to fingers, nails, and cuticles
- Mouth injuries, dental problems, abscesses, and infections
- In some cases, onychophagia may lead to complicated family and social relationships
Nail biting usually begins in early childhood, is most common during adolescence, and may continue through adulthood, although the behavior often decreases or stops with age.
Causes
There may be a genetic link to onychophagia. Nail biting is associated with anxiety, because the act of chewing on nails reportedly relieves stress, tension, or boredom.
People who habitually bite their nails often report that they do so when they feel nervous, bored, lonely, or even hungry.
Nail biting can also be a habit transferred from earlier thumb or finger sucking. It is quite possible that this habit develops without symptoms of another psychiatric condition or is related to mental problems.
Treatment
Treatment in severe cases must also focus on reducing or removing the emotional factors associated with nail biting.
With a little time and effort, you can bust your nail-biting habit.
Try these tips:
- Cut them short
- Coat them with a bad taste
- Splurge on manicures at a nail salon
- Wear gloves
- Find your triggers. Notice how you feel or what you’re doing when you bite your nails
- Keep your hands or mouth busy. Find something to fiddle with -- a stress ball, a worry stone, or even a pen to click. Chew gum so your mouth has a job. Give your nail-biting energy another place to go.
Source:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/conditions/onychophagia-nail-biting
