I suffer from social anxiety disorder and I always bite the skin sorrounding my finger nails, how can i stop?

Answer 1

wear mittens with soap residue on them.That way if you try to nibble the mitt you won't like the taste.

Answer 2

I also suffer from an anxiety disorder, and most of the time when I am feeling very stressed, I tend to scratch or rub the top of my head alot, or just cover it with my hands. I have had the hardest time breaking the habit. It seems like the only way to rid yourself of biting is to confront whatever it is that drives your anxiety. If there is a large group of people that are triggering your anx, then you should try and become the center of attention. I always feel as if somthing is going terribly wrong, in my own head. All I do is confront the fact that I am making myself feel that way, and I try to contradict it by letting myself know I am still breathing and thinking and functioning. I am aware of my problem, and then I can ignore it and get back to life. But, if that fails too often, then maybe getting professional help like therapy or medication would be better. I'm kind of paranoid when it comes to mhmr drugs, so I try to tough it out. Try it on for size, and good luck

Answer 3

You seem to be asking 2 Qs, one about social anx; and about biting skin.

You can stop biting your skin by replacing this activity with another. Carry some Curel, or moisturizer with you. In the a.m., rub the ends of your fingers with lotion. During the day, when you feel like biting, rub instead.

Replenish the lotion in private, on your break, in the washroom.

Over a period of time, the skin on your fingers will heal, and the additional rubbing will smooth it out.

When you see how much improved the appearance of your fingers, this will motivate you to refrain from chewing.

The social anxiety is a deeper rooted issue, but mastering the finger-biting is a step toward greater self-confidence. Lack of confidence/shame-gone-awry is usually at the root of socio-phobic/shame affect disorders.

Maybe this is what is deep down inside? Work with a therapist on this issue; good luck.

Answer 4

I do the same thing; eating the skin around the fingernails that is.

I have been doing so for ages now, to the point that some of my finger tips have been slightly "deformed"; or rather it is the nails themselves who have adopted a new path of growth, making it look like my finger tips are slightly bent.

For years I've been trying to cure myself of this very nasty habit. It can actually lead to gangrene if you dig in too much and the "wound" gets infected. Often I would try to put polisporin (or other regenerative compound) on my fingertips before going to sleep, hoping it would heal the skin around the nails overnight. Truth is, it does help a bit but it isn't miraculous.

Stress and fear and the main factors which drive this habit of mine. Stress is everyday life; the lifestyle of the post 80s/90s in today's wireless computer internet age. Fear is basically one of those strong emotions which cannot be easily controlled. Although I literaly face my fear(s) every single day, and deal with them, I just seem to cannot stop eating that skin around my nails!

The only solution I was able to find (thanks to my wife) is actually so simple it will sound ridiculous. It is basically becoming concious of your actions as you are doing then, hence in this case, trying to stop yourself before you do. So every time I put my fingers to my mouth , I try to stop myself. It doesn't always work, but since I am more aware of what I am doing, and of course that other fear of gangrene, I have considerably toned down on this nasty habit.

Let me know if you find a more decent solution to this!

Answer 5

Probably you might have generalised anxiety disorder.it is diffficulkt to make a diagnosis based on your question and your interpretation of social anxiety disorder.

Some of the associated symptoms may include excessive worrying,sweating ,awareness of your heart beat,avoiding situations-like avoiding open spaces with large crowds,fear of the unknown etc.

Some forms of treatments include

Non drug treatments-Counselling to talk and discusss your fears and anxities,desensitisation-i.e graded exposure to the thing/object/situation that you fear.Desensitisation is used to treat phobias(Fears)

2) drug treatments/ medication

Benzodiazepines(Diazepam,lorazepam,alprazolam etc)treatment>It is meant to be short term 2-4 weks treatment.Use beyond 4 weeks can lead to addicion and dependence to the drug.

3)Antidepressant medications(like citalopram etc) in a low dose are used in the management of anxiety disorders. The doses are below the requirements needed for treating depression.

Answer 6

I used to do the comparable difficulty, I decrease my nails relatively short and started portray them which made me provide up. you additionally can attempt getting a nail trimming, it's going to cause them to sense and seem extra effective :) attempt chewing gum or some thing else relatively? Ive heard you will get particular anil polish stuff that tastes disgusting and makes you provide up?

Answer 7

My sister did that too. You need to ask your doctor about it, and try to put something on your fingers that taste bad. The have medication for the anxiety you are experiencing. Good luck.

Answer 8

difficult one. Try to do something else when that happens. As soon as you feel you are going to put your fingers in your mouth , jump up and go do something else. Or you could always put hot sauce on your finger tips.

Answer 9

You are experiencing mild anxiety.
If it`s not possible to stop it ASAP..try substituting nailbiting by deepbreathing or think of a quiet place whenever you are anxious.Or try positive self-talk.
I tried it when I am anxious or afraid. It`s very useful.

Answer 10

Spend more time alone. Or learn to analize your social situations a little. BE aware of your breath, try to find the way to make it last. Meditation or so.