What should I do?

Question

I am 13 years old. I have been biting/picking my nails and skin when I was very young already. Until now. My parents are giving me two weeks to let them grow, if not they would ban me from doing some stuffs. It will be impossible for me to stop doing my nails... I think... as I've been doing it for so many years. What should I do? Sorry, I didn't know which category to categorize my question.

Actually, I don't usually bite them... I pick them? Picking is even harder to stop... I can't...

Answer 1

lol
Don't worry about it. You can quit and now's as good a time as ever! You're still really young. It's better to stop now then later, believe me!
If you have to bight nails, bight someone else's or your toe-nails, otherwise, just DON'T DO IT. You can stop.

If you learn to control this then you can learn to overcome any future habits that might overcome you.

So, good luck! Your parents are good to do this to you:)

Answer 2

Unfortunetly your folks are treating your nail picking as a behavior problem that you have some control over. That may not be true.

You need to ask them for help. You're on the computer, do some research on obsessive compulsive disorders. Then take it to them and ask them to help you see a doctor that deals with them, or at least your regular doctor. Its very possible that you cannot stop doing this because its become compulsive. And its possible that if you stop doing this, you will start doing something else, like pulling out your hair or picking at your skin.

Your folks just don't know at this point what they are dealing with. I wish I had because when my daughter was 13 she started pulling out her hair, and now at 23 even with medication she struggles not to pull out all her hair. If I had gotten her help when she was 13, I believe she would have the tools to control this.

Take this letter to your folks if you want to, because they need to know that punishing you by taking things away aren't going to matter to you. Compulsions are something you can just stop because you don't get to watch tv, and the resentment and humiliation that comes from not being able to control this will certainly cause you more problems than the picking at your nails.

The good news is that there is good treatment out there, usually with behavior modification, that can help you. I know you don't like having your nails look that way, but you just can't help yourself. Good luck to you.

Answer 3

Try painting your nails, no matter how short they are. Sometimes seeing what they will look like painted (plus the taste of the polish) will be a reminder to you not to pick and bite. Good luck to you! I know this is a very difficult habit to break, but you're old enough that I'll just bet you'll do it. It's obvious that it's important to you since you're asking for some help :)

Answer 4

Your parents are actually way off their game.
The issue runs deeper than what they are thinking. Truly, to stop doing this, it involves therapy at the lweast. I still do it, and I am 39 years old. I have never had nails, nor do I really care.
You are in a tough situation. try this:
At school, get yourself a counselor. You can keep it private, but it helps tremendously with so many issues at your age. At the very least, you have a person who is supportive and on your side. Next, tell yoursself that you can do this. Everytime you feel like putting your hands to your mouth, do something else, like tell yourself " I am stronger than this." over and over until it sets in.
Eventually, through counseling, you will find that you have enough resourses to understand what is truly happening, and you may have an educated response for your parents. I would also suggest that, at some point, your parents speak with this person who will know you better and can be an adult voice for you.
Good Luck.My dad used to make me write sentences over and over until I hooked all my letters together like he did. What a whack job! I know that now, but looking back, I had to listen to him.

Answer 5

When my daughter began the chew her nails I bought her a pair of very light Cotton gloves to wear in the house. I also purchased a variety of fashionable nail varnish colours to encourage her to stop "picking". I have always had good nails and feel that a lady should present herself properly. Try the gloves in the house and good luck.

Answer 6

Rub some soap or tobasco sauce on them. That'll turn you off your nails forever. Or try sitting on your hands for a while so you know when you want to bite your nails and you can stop yourself.

Answer 7

Your parents don't understand that this is a nervous compulsive habit that will need to be addressed overtime. They need to be educated on the matter and I would refer them to a counselor or therapist so that they can make an informed decision on how to help you get over this habit.

Answer 8

you can buy some nailpolishes that taste really bad, and are designed to help people stop biting their nails. might be worth getting some of that.

Answer 9

start whistling. drives parents crazy. by the end of two weeks they will be telling you to start to bite your nails.

Answer 10

Find something else that you can nibble on in place of your fingernails. Try some of that plastic lanyard stuff that people make key chains with. You can get it at hobbie stores.