Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. Nail biters often keep their hands in their pockets. Nail biters often feel shame and social embarrassment and experience out-of-control feelings at times. Sometimes they wonder why they can't stop and they also question whether or not they are sane.

Biting usually happens when nail biters are in one of two modes. Some 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 reading or talking, etc. For others, their main activity at the time is the actual picking or biting, and they will usually interrupt other activities to engage in it.

There is a strong commonality in the various purposes behind these three problems (skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting). At a very basic level, these symptoms satisfy an urge. Many people report an almost uncontrollable compulsion to do them. Pulling, picking or biting also seems to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation. 

When sufferers feel stressed, doing these things 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 have these habits find it so hard to give up these behaviors. It simply "feels good" at the time no matter what. 

Even if you have more than one of these problems, don't despair. They can be overcome if you have enough 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 get down to realizing that you are just a person who simply happens to have a bad habit, 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. 

NLP & Hypnotherapy For People Who Bite Their Nails

First off, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the hypnotherapy is to teach the biter how to be more relaxed at all times. To that end, I have found that traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and NLP techniques can be quite effective. That's because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The individual 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 teaches the individual awareness of this unconscious habit. Suggestions are given to the unconscious to make the conscious mind 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 also several other effective hypnosis and NLP methods. For 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 effective technique that will effectively relieve the compulsion to bite.

The third part of the hypnotic therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite the nails. There are NLP methods that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite. 

With the biting habit, being realistic is very important. First off, you have practiced the unwanted habit thousands of times. You will need to accept that the urge to bite your nails will not be overcome in a few days or weeks. 

Second, you are fighting the fact that it feels good to do, and it provides much short-range satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take time and effort to master, but I believe it is well worth it. Experience has shown a number of methods to be quite effective!

Alan B. Densky, CH is a hypnotheraist & NLP Practitioner specializing in stress related symptoms. He offers nail-biting hypnotherapy & NLP MP3 downloads which abolish the nail-biting habit. Visit the Self Hypnosis MP3 Downloads site. Visit his FREE NLP article collection.

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