Nail Biting Habit

syngindub

Done a quick search and didn't see much in relation to this so decided to start the thread.
so..
31 year old male. I have been biting my nails as long as i can remember. I have tried on many occasions to give up but inevitably give in to the pure compulsion to bite. Down the years i have tried many remedies, including the bad tasting varnishes, wearing gloves, elastic bands on the wrists..none of this has worked for me.

From my experience, During the first few days of giving up is extremely difficult just to get the ball rolling as such. I can be biting my nails without even knowing it. I can't count to 10 without a finger going in the gob.

I have decided to give it a go again and on my forth or fifth day. I find that cleaning my hands at least every half hour is great to keep the concentration up. It also softens the skin leaving less bits to pick. I apologise if this sounds disgusting to a lot of people but it's really annoying and totally embarrassing at times for me.

Does anyone else suffer similar experiences?
How have you resolved the issue or are you still trying to kick the habit.

LegacyUser

Dude, i'm in the same boat. Tried all the remedies as well.
Hate myself for it. I get really concious of it when i'm out.
Wonder would hypnosis work?

syngindub

ye hyponisis might be a good option alright.
Anyone have experiences of this treatment that can give advise?
It seems a logical solution as the cause is a purely subconscience one for me.

R.D. aka MR.D

my grandmother is nearly 90 and she still bites hers.

i bite mine! my fingers are in constant pain.

My mum has always advised keeping one and then two and then three etc. it worked for her in her twenties.

I've given up because its stress relief in my eyes, just like smoking for some people.

syngindub

R.D. aka MR.D wrote: »

my grandmother is nearly 90 and she still bites hers.

i bite mine! my fingers are in constant pain.

My mum has always advised keeping one and then two and then three etc. it worked for her in her twenties.

I've given up because its stress relief in my eyes, just like smoking for some people.

not sure i understand. you've given up trying to give up.
MR.D, the trend can be broken and you could be the catalyst..not the answer i was looking for ..thanks for the insight anyway.
My mother also bites her nails but i refuse to use this as an excuse

spoonbadger

For me (18 year old guy) the solution was letting my nails grow!!. If you try to grow your nails, you'll start to actively take care of them and will be able to stop yourself from biting them (conciously and subcounciously). It worked for me, once i *had* to look after my nails i was able to stop myself whenever i was about to bite them.

Bare in mind though, that i had no choice but to grow mine long (for L.C. guitar practicals). And yes, i did get lots of "fag" comments from my friends .

challengemaster

In the " I need to quit it" boat too \o

whats annoying is every conscious effort I try to make, I end up unconsciously biting them :mad:

Overheal

Well negative reinforcement (nail varnish) isnt working. Why not try positive reinforcement? set a goal and reward yourself in some way if you can go however long without biting your nails.

LegacyUser

well i bit them myself for years ever since i was a child,remember me mam trying to get all solutions like the stuff that tastes foul on your nails,chewing gum etc,none of em worked.as i got older i was pissed off with myself for still doing it and i decided to give up biting them once and for all.its a hard habit to break as theyre always in reach all ya have to do is lift your hand to you mouth etc.

but once i managed to grow them ,i applied this layer of varnish that makes them harder so they wont break as theyre very fragile after years of constant biting.havent bit me nails in over a year and they look much better and healthier looking than having chewed down ones.its just a habit and if ya can get yourself out of the cycle its a lot easier than youd think