How do you stop picking at, biting and obsessively clipping your fingernails?

1. 88

   Cari Jeanposted 14 years ago

   How do you stop picking at, biting and obsessively clipping your fingernails?
   
   I have done this since I was 10 years old, have tried everything and cannot seem to stop. If I don't have a nail clipper nearby, I sort of freak out. Any ideas?

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2. 49

   The Bow 456posted 14 years ago

   just stop biting them and you will stop duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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3. 61

   aheilposted 14 years ago

   good answer above. honestly i would advise you to look at this. http://developyourlife.net/beauty/caring-for-nails.html

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4. 60

   GMLegendaryposted 14 years ago

   I had a nail biting problem myself, but when I got braces I was no longer physically able to bite them. By the time the braces came off, the habit had been broken. Sorry not really much of a solution but that's how I stopped. Perhaps turn clipping your nails each night into a routine similar to brushing your teeth?

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5. 77

   rls8994posted 14 years ago

   First thing you should do is spread your hands out in front of you and put a direct light on them. This way you will able to take a good look at them. Look at how bad they look. Now, visualize that you have long beautifully groomed nails. Try to keep this image in your head.
   You need to keep your hands and mouth busy. When you get the urge to bite, clip, or pick at your nails, stick a piece of gum in your mouth or chew on something crunchy. Find something to do with your hands. Maybe you could draw or write, just anything to keep your hands otherwise occupied.
   Also, you could try artifical nails. Maybe if you have these on, it will make you less likely to mess with them.
   Nail biting can also be a medical problem in some situations. Your nails contain the minerals, calcium and magnesium. If you have a deficiency in one or both of these minerals, your nails could be a source of replenishment in response to a reward system created by your brain. This may be something you want to check into.
   Hope this has helped and you will soon be on your way to recovery from this habit!

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6. 57

   eamarcusposted 14 years ago

   Try self distracting yourself, by focusing on things that help to relax you or that you enjoy doing (with your hands?).  If stress is a major factor or cause, then perhaps re-evaluating the focus that brings you the urge to pick, bite and obsessively clip your fingernails may be needed to be rooted out of your life by a more drastic measure such as putting on surgical gloves until the urge passes.

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7. 40

   jiteposted 14 years ago

   put some non harming bitter substance on your fingers,it may works.

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8. 60

   TheLawyerLinkposted 13 years ago

   For nail BITING, buy the bitter stuff that you paint onto your nails.
   
   But your problem sounds much more involved.
   
   Throw away your clippers.
   Wear gloves when possible.
   Go get a set of nails put on at a salon, and keep them filled every week or two.
   
   It sounds like you may have an anxiety disorder / issue.  If I were you, I'd make an appt. with a professional.  Truthfully.

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9. 62

   POULOMI DUTTAposted 13 years ago

   ah! i had this habit once. i stopped this bad habit by putting dirt, dust, mud etc inside my nails. whenever i tried to bite my nails, i found my hands and fingers dirty and i started loathing the dirt. it took me around 3 to 4 years to kick this habit, but i finally did. and i havent gone back to biting my fingernails ever since. every time, in the initial phase, i tried to chew my nails, that image of dirty fingernails cropped up in my mind and i put down my hands in disgust.. this method worked for me. dont know if it will work for others.

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10. 77

    robie2posted 13 years ago

    I'm no shrink but I am thinking that there are medications for OCD that might help.  Have you considered having a neurological and psychological evaluation?  That said-- I can think of a mechanical thing that has helped me break habits in the past. Toi wit:
    
    When the craving or irresistable urge comes over you just put it off-- tell yourself if you still want to clip your nails in 20 minutes you can and watch the clock-- chances are the strong urge will pass in ten or 15 minutes.  If you do this enough, you may be able to re-program your brain.  If you see a Dr. and do it with medical support you will greatly increase your chances of success.  Hope this helps

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