Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders or OCD. People who bite their nails often keep their hands hidden behind their backs. People who bite their nails often feel shame and social embarrassment and experience out-of-control feelings at times. They often wonder why they are not able to stop biting their nails and they may 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 really thinking about what they are doing. It's often when they are involved in some other activity at the same time such as talking on the phone or watching TV, etc. For others, their main activity at the time is the actual picking or biting, and they will frequently interrupt their other activities to engage in it.
There is also a strong commonality in the purposes behind these three problems (skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting). At a very basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many people report an uncontrollable compulsion to do them. Biting, picking or pulling also seems to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation.
When sufferers feel stressed, pulling, picking or biting has a kind of soothing effect on them 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 break these habits. It simply "feels good" at the time no matter what the consequences.
Even if you have more than one of these behaviors, do not give up on yourself. These symptoms can be overcome if you have the 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 it at times. Once you realize that you are just a person who simply happens to have a bad habit, you can start to make some serious progress.
Skin picking and nail biting are chronic problems, so there is not currently a "cure" but you can find a recovery if you are willing to work at it. Hypnosis for nail biting consists of three parts.
Hypnosis For People Who Bite Their Nails
First off, nail biting is a stress related habit. So the first part of the hypnotic therapy is to teach the nail biter how to be more relaxed at all times. To that end, I have found that traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques are usually effective. That's because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The person can learn to apply several different methods to enhance both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of well-being.
The second part of the therapy teaches the individual awareness of this unconscious habit. Suggestions can be given to the unconscious to make the consciousness aware that you are bringing your hand towards your mouth. Then you get to consciously decide whether or not you are actually going to bite them.
There are several other much more effective hypnosis and NLP methods. As an example, we can help the client to set up an "Anchor" or trigger so that he/she can momentarily mentally step outside of him/herself. This is an excellent technique that will effectively relieve the urge to bite.
The third part of the hypnotic therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite the nails. There are hypnotic and NLP methods that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite.
With the biting compulsion, being realistic is very important. First, you have probably practiced the unwanted habit thousands of times. You will need to accept that the compulsion to bite your nails will not simply be overcome in a few days.
Second, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good, and it offers short-term satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take time and effort to master, but it will be well worth the effort. My experience has shown a number of methods to be very effective!
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Author's Bio
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Alan B. Densky, CH is a certified hypnotist specializing in stress related problems. He offers Hypnosis CDs which eliminate the nail biting compulsion. Contact him at the Neuro-VISION Hypnosis website. Visit his FREE hypnosis article index, or download his MP3s.
