Why do I bite my fingernails to the point of pain when I am stressed?

Question

I just keep nibbling and gnawing until I am in pain. typing right now hurts. it's always before some stressful event - like starting a new job or travel or hosting a party. psychoanalysis on this please

Answer 1

Unfortunately you are using biting your finger nails as a stress reliever. The more stress, the more biting, the more pain. This way you are hoping on concentrating on the pain, relieving the stress. Which of course doesn't work. Now you have pain and stress. Perhaps now that you have to share pain and stress in your mind, it lessens the stress.
As nail biting is a habit and will be hard to break, perhaps you can find another way to be the stress that is useful or helpful to you. Many people meditate, but as for me, I couldn't sit still long enough. Twirling things like pencils only adds another habit but at least it's not painful. How about something like writing yourself notes. No, not on the computer, no fair. Actually writing notes on perhaps why you feel stressed and then read it over and over until you get bored with it. Stress? no, just bored of why I was stressed. It actually will help in the long run and it's painless. You can also write notes about the days plans and what you need to do and..............

Answer 2

Like you said it is stress. Identifying the problem is 90% of the struggle. Go buy a book on dealing with stress and maybe that will help you.

In the meantime try putting something on your fingernails that tastes nasty to you. That may help you stop for a bit. If you are already chewed down to the raw, spray the area with NUSKIN. It goes on wet and dries like a liquid bandage. Really works to protect raw skin and maybe it tastes bad too, never tried it.

Best of luck............

Answer 3

Oh yeaaaah. I used to. yet I although have a backslide each and each now and then and chew them back. I supply up from putting nailpolish on my nails each and all the time and then on an analogous time as my nails have been long i'd carry a nail report alongside with me everywhere to consistently shop my nails comfortable. i've got been given right here upon that if there have been jagged edges i'd prefer to chew them extra. And yeah element 2 does stink does not it?

Answer 4

It's a very bad habit. The only way to stop doing it is to learn to deal with stress in an adult manner. The way to stop the fingernail biting is simple to not do it. I know this sounds simple but we actually do have control over our actions. When you get the urge, simply do not give in. Learn to calm yourself, take a deep breath and find something else to do when you are stressed like exercise, go for a walk, do something to distract yourself.

Answer 5

maybe because of nervousness. I PEEL my fingers before some nervewracking event-- first day of school, before a test. And whenever I try to stop this bad habit.. I just can't seem to. So maybe out of nervousness? Like those people who cut themselves? But of course we're not that serious.

Answer 6

Could be because your fingers are the most convenient at that moment. Some people will yell if they are stressed, so to curb their yelling, then have to find something to "stuff" their mouth.

Answer 7

Psychological disorder... maybe pain eases your nerves. I'm that way too, except I pull out my hair little bits at a time. Don't call me crazy, I can't help it.

Answer 8

When you bite your nails and you get used to that, they get smaller and smaller. When you have small nails, if you press on them, they really hurt. That is your situation. You bite your nails, usually when you are nervous.

Answer 9

just stop. put a rubberband around your wrist and pop yourself everytime you start to bite your nails, it worked for me. Good Luck

Answer 10

Your inner fear is you won't be able to do the job or activity right so in punishment of yourself, you bite yourself.