I’ve been biting my nails since before I can remember, and it’s getting to a point where even I can’t bear to look at my own fingers. So I was just surfing online today and ran into this posting at a medical BBS.
This condition (called onychophagia) is one of several (joined by hair pulling or trichotillomania and skin picking) which are a sub-group of Obsessive-Compulsive Dosorder. One of the characteristics of this sub-group is that they become habit patterns. The behaviors can be associated with tension and, to the extent that they are, can serve a tension reduction purpose. However, once established as a habit, they may not really be associated with tension. It is important to treat these conditions with medication and therapy. Medications commonly employed are the serotoninergic agents, such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Lexapro and also Anafranil. Some clinicians also emply a type of B-vitamin. In addition, to augment the serotoningmedications, agents such as Risperda, Zyprexa, Geodon and Abilify can be useful, particulary in intractable cases. Therapy consists of Cognitve-Behavioral treatment and involves Habit Reversal Training along with Exposure and Response Prevention. Medication alone will help but not likely solve the problem. You may want to have your medication plan reviewed, and by all means seek out some therpay if you are not already doing so. You can achive relief.
Hmm… it’s always fun to find out that I have a psychological problem… >____< And, another alarming realization is, yes, you can actually bite your nails until they are completely gone. The mere thought of that makes even me shiver. This would be my goal for the remainder of the year. STOP BITING MY NAILS! SO, my dear friends that I interact with in the physical world.... Will you please slap me whenever you see me do that again? 😛 Thanks lots~~ Chronic Nail Biting in Adults
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