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 behind their backs or in their pockets. Nail biters often feel shame and social embarrassment and experience out-of-control feelings at times. Sometimes they wonder why they cannot stop and they often question whether or not they are sane.

Biting generally 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 altered state and not thinking about what they are doing. It's often when they are immersed in some other activity at the same time such as watching TV or working on the computer, etc. For others, the deliberate picking or biting is their main activity at the time, and they will often interrupt their other activities to engage in it.

There is a strong commonality seen in the purposes behind nail biting, skin picking and hair pulling. At a very basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many people report an almost uncontrollable feeling of needing to do them. Biting, picking or pulling also seems to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation.

When sufferers feel stressed, pulling, picking or biting 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 dislike doing them 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. These behaviors 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 some or all of these things at times. Once you get down to realizing that you are just a person who simply happens to have a problem, you can start to make some serious progress.

Skin picking and nail biting are chronic problems, so there currently isn't a "cure" but you can find a relief if you are willing to work at it. Self-hypnosis for nail biting consists of three parts.

Therapy For Nail Biting

First off, nail biting is a stress related 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 believe that traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques are very often effective. That's because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The person can learn to apply several different methods to increase both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of well-being.

The second part of the therapy teaches the biter to become aware of this unconscious habit. Post-hypnotic suggestions can be given to the subconscious mind to make the conscious mind aware that you are bringing your hand towards your mouth for the purpose of biting your nails. Then you get to consciously decide whether or not you are actually going to bite them.

There are also several other powerful techniques. As an 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 therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite the nails. There are NLP techniques that actually program the client with a compulsion to reject biting his/her nails.

With this particular habit, being realistic is very important. First, you have rehearsed the unwanted behavior hundreds or even thousands of times. It is important to accept that the nail biting behavior will not simply be overcome in a few weeks.

Second, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good to do, and it offers short term satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to master, but it will be well worth it. Experience has shown a number of techniques to be extremely effective!

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Alan B. Densky, CH established his practice in 1978. He has worked with thousands of clients to overcome these types of negative behaviors. He can be contacted through his ecommerce site at www.Neuro-VISION.US where he offers Self-Hypnosis CD's and books. Visit his FREE hypnosis article fibrary, or subscribe to one or more of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.