Stop Nail Biting By Using Habit Substitution

Biting one's nails is one of those habits that doesn't discriminate. Young, old, rich, poor, male and female can all be nail biters.

Reasons for nail biting can be any of the following:

*Nothing to do; just bored

*Emotional tension

* Hunger

* Excitement

*Nothing to do

* Learned habit

*Mental disorder eg. OCD(obsessive compulsive disorder)

Onychophagia is the medical term for nail biting. The word comes from Greek with onycho meaning nail and phagia meaning to eat.

No matter the cause biting one's nails is one of those difficult habits to stop. Ways of stopping can range from therapies such as behavior modification to medications to hypnosis.

The best nail biting treatment programs are designed with the individual biter in mind. The personal trigger or cause for nail biting needs to be considered. The ultimate treatment goal for nail biting is to have nails in good repair. The goal must also contain an alternative plan to deal with the trigger that starts the nail biting activity.

Using a step by step approach habit reversal works to make the individual aware of their nail biting. With a physically competing response, the person's usual way of starting to bite their nails is changed. Habit reversal is considered to be a successful way of stopping the nail biting habit for many people.

You can substitute other behaviors such as:

* Gum chewing

* Have a lollypop

* Keep hands folded and put them in your lap.

* Make hand into a fist

* Wiggle finger

A trained therapist is the best one to show how to use habit substitution.

There's a plan for every nail biter to stop or change their habit. It's just a matter of finding the right plan that works.

About the Author

You can stop nail biting too. Click to stop nail biting now. For over 20 years Sherry Miller bit her nails She stopped nail biting in 1 week with hypnosis. You can stop your nail biting too. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.

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