Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. These behaviors are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders or OCD. Nail biters often keep their hands in their pockets. Nail biters often feel shame and experience out-of-control feelings at times. At times they may wonder why they are not able to stop and they often question whether or not they are sane.
Biting generally happens when nail biters are in one of two modes. Some nail biters do it in an automatic way, as if they are in some kind of a trance and not thinking about what they are doing. It is often when they are immersed in some other activity at the same time such as talking or working at the computer, etc. For others, the deliberate picking or biting is their main activity at the time, and they will usually interrupt other activities to engage in it.
There is a strong commonality seen in the various purposes behind these three problems (nail biting, skin picking and hair pulling). At the most basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many report an almost uncontrollable urge to do them. Pulling, picking or biting also seems to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation.
When sufferers feel stressed, pulling, picking or biting has a kind of soothing effect on their nervous systems and reduces levels of stimulation. On the other hand, when they are bored or inactive, they seem to provide a needed level of stimulation to the nervous system. This may account for why so many people who suffer from these habits find it so hard to stop. It simply “feels good” at the time no matter what the consequences.
Even if you have more than one of these behaviors, don’t despair. These compulsive behaviors can be overcome if you have a sufficient amount of motivation. More important is learning to “de-stigmatize” yourself. You are not crazy, helpless, morally weak or totally out of control, even though you may feel like you are at times. Once you become aware of the fact that you are just a person who simply happens to have a problem, you can make some serious progress.
Skin picking and nail biting are chronic problems, so there is not currently a “cure” but you can find relief if you are willing to work at it. Hypnosis for nail biting consists of three parts.
Therapy For Nail Biting
To start with, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the hypnotic therapy is to teach the biter how to be more relaxed at all times. To that end, I have found that hypnosis, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) destressing techniques are usually quite effective. That’s because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The biter can learn to apply several different methods to increase both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of well-being.
The second part teaches the biter to become aware of this unconscious habit. Suggestions are given to the subconscious mind to make the conscious mind aware that you are about to bite your nails. Then you get to consciously decide whether or not you are actually going to bite them.
There are also several other much more effective hypnosis and NLP techniques. For example, we can help the client to set up an “Anchor” or trigger so that he/she can momentarily disassociate. This is an excellent technique that will effectively relieve the urge to bite.
The third part of the therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite the nails. There are hypnotic and NLP techniques that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite his/her nails.
With this particular behavior, being realistic is very important. In the first place, you have probably rehearsed the unwanted behavior hundreds or even thousands of times. You must accept that this behavior will not be overcome in a few days.
Secondly, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good, and it provides much short-range satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to master, but I believe it is well worth the effort. My experience has shown a number of techniques to be extremely effective!
Alan B. Densky, CH is a certified hypnotist specializing in stress related symptoms. He offers nail-biting NLP MP3 downloads which eradicate the nail-biting habit. Visit the Self Hypnosis MP3 Downloads website. Visit his FREE hypnosis article collection.
