Many people told me that biting my nails is a sign of insecurity, is this true?

Question

I may not believe this but i'm starting to notice that it's true.
they said it's subconscious, is it?

Answer 1

I believe it. Officially, it is called onychophagia.

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 seems to provide a needed level of stimulation to the nervous system. This probably accounts for why so many people who dislike doing them find it so hard to stop.

Read the link below. It is a really good article.

Answer 2

The term "subconscious" is used so much for so many things that it no longer has any real meaning. Biting ones nails is a habit, and like most habits, it can operate quite independent of your conscious awareness.

The initial reason for your nail biting must be discovered by you. A way to do this is to take a note book, and a writing instrument, and find a quiet place. Close your eyes and ask yourself the reason you bite your nails. When an answer comes, write it down. Then ask yourself if that answer is true? It will most likely be untrue, so you recognize this... and more importantly, you begin to recognize that your MIND lies to you... and this is the best discovery you can make.

Repeat the questioning process until you drop down in memory to some point in early childhood, and hopefully the memory will surface for you... and this surfacing will bring with it an intense level of grief... which you just embrace with deep sobbing. It's a little scary, but once done, your nail biting is also done.

Good hunting... and stay with it until you win.

Answer 3

Wow... I had no idea that nail-biting had a scientific/medical term! I learned something new today... thank you!

I was a nail-biter from childhood to about 19 yrs. I can't speak for the personal situation of all nail-biters, but for me it was definitely nervousness and anxiety.

My ex-husband was instrumental in my stopping. While we were dating, any time he'd see me biting my nails he would "pop" my hand. I didn't like him doing this, so I became very conscious of when I was biting in his presence, and 'trained' myself to not do it in front of him... eventually it turned into me not doing it at all.

This supports, to some degree, the theory of it being a subconscious behavior as well. It was a habit from nervousness and anxiousness, but acted out "subconsciously" (without me making a conscious choice to do it). When I paid close attention to it, to make sure I didn't do it front of the b/f so he wouldn't pop my hand, it broke the habit altogether.

I've had nice, long nails ever since.

Answer 4

I don't think it is a sign of insecurity but definitely a sign of anxiety. Once your anxiety is under control, you will no longer bite your nails. The scientific term is "onychophagia" (meaning nail biting).
Here's some information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_biting

Answer 5

I always worry when peole try to give such a simplistic must be true answer to compley human behaviors. You could be insecure, or bored, or it is learned or you could have a tactile disorder...I don't think there is one answer which is always correct for behaviors like that.

Answer 6

Maybe not insecurity so much as anxiety. If you have anxiety you will try to do compulsive things to relieve the anxiety. Biting your nails is one example.

Answer 7

IT MIGHT BE, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY AN ANXIETY-COMFORTING BEHAVIOR THAT YOU HAVE ADOPTED (LIKE CHILDREN AND THUMB-SUCKING OR SECURITY BLANKETS).

IF YOU SAW, UNDER A MICROSCOPE, THE GERMS AND BACTERIAS UNDER THE FINGERNAIL, YOU MIGHT SWITCH TO A STRESS-BALL TO SQUISH IN YOUR POCKET INSTEAD.....

DO YOU REALIZE THAT OTHER PEOPLE (ESPECIALLY EMPLOYERS) SEE YOUR NAILS AND HAVE LESS TRUST AND RESPECT?

NAILBITING IS ONE OF THE MOST OBVIOUSLY APPARENT SIGNS OF ANXIETY ISSUES. SO IS OBESITY, ANOREXIA, AND CUTTING. THOSE ARE THE DISORDERS THAT YOU CAN SEE ON THE OUTSIDE.....

DO YOU REALIZE THAT? BEST BET IS TO SWITCH YOUR HABIT FOR A SQUISH-BALL IN YOUR POCKET. YOU COULD TRY BITTER APPLE ON YOUR FINGERS, OR USE NAIL POLISH OR PRESS-ON NAILS.....

Answer 8

It could be a mannerism. Like my boss can't help himself from biting the other end of his pen... like all his pens got bites at the other end lol.

Answer 9

I have always been told it is out of boredom and nerves.

But no matter which it is, it's unsightly, and could be very unhealthy as you are always transferring any germs right into your mouth.

I really hope you wash your hands after you wipe yourself ! :o)

Answer 10

Unfortunately, yes; however, the power is within you own hands to stop it..literally.