Use Hypnotherapy To Break The Nail Biting Habit - What You Should Know
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 in their pockets. Nail biters often feel social embarrassment and experience out-of-control feelings at times. At times they may wonder why they can’t stop and they may question whether or not they are sane.
Biting usually happens when people are in one of two modes. Some do it in an automatic way, as if they are in a trance and not really thinking about what they are doing. It is often when they are involved in some other activity at the same time such as talking on the phone or watching TV, 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 in the various purposes behind these three problems (skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting). At a very basic level, these symptoms satisfy an urge. Many people report an uncontrollable urge to do them. Pulling, picking or biting 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 probably accounts for why so many people who have these habits find it so hard to stop. It simply “feels good” at the time no matter no matter what the outcomes are.
Even if you have more than one of these problems, don’t despair. These behaviors can be overcome if you have the 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 realize that you are just a person who simply happens to have a bad habit, you can 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.
Hypnotherapy & NLP For People Who Bite Their Nails
First of all, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the therapy is to teach the nail biter how to be more relaxed at all times. To that end, I have found that traditional hypnosis, Ericksonian hypnosis, and NLP techniques can be quite effective. That’s because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The person can learn to apply several different methods to enhance both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of well-being.
The second part of the therapy teaches the nail biter awareness of this unconscious habit. Post-hypnotic suggestions can be given to the unconscious to make the conscious mind aware that you are bringing your hand towards your mouth. Then you get to consciously decide whether or not you are actually going to bite them.
There are also several other powerful methods. As an example, we can help the client to set up an “Anchor” or trigger so that he/she can momentarily disassociate. This is an excellent method that will effectively relieve the compulsion to bite.
The third part of the therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite. There are hypnotic methods that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite.
With this particular behavior, being realistic is very important. First off, you have rehearsed the unwanted habit hundreds or even thousands of times. It is important to accept that this behavior will not simply be overcome in a few days or weeks.
Second, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good, and it offers a lot of short term satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to overcome, but I believe that it is well worth the effort. My experience has shown a number of methods to be very effective!
==========
Alan B. Densky, CH established his professional practice of hypnosis & NLP in 1978. He has helped 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.
Alan B. Densky, CH established his practice in 1978. He has worked with thousands of clients to overcome these types of 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.
- Alan B. Densky, CH
