Use Self-hypnosis To Break The Nail Biting Habit - What You Need To Know
Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. These behaviors are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders or OCD. Nail biters often hide their hands behind their backs. Nail biters often feel social embarrassment and experience out-of-control feelings at times. They often wonder why they are not able to stop and they also question whether or not they are crazy.
Biting usually happens when people are in one of two modes. Some biters do it in an automatic way, as if they are in some kind of altered state and not really thinking about what they are doing. It is often when they are engrossed in some other activity at the same time such as talking or working at 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 also a strong commonality seen in the purposes behind hair pulling, skin picking and nail biting. At the most basic level, these symptoms satisfy an urge. Many people report an almost uncontrollable feeling of needing to do them. Pulling, picking or biting also seems to deliver a pleasurable or relaxed sensation.
When sufferers feel stressed, doing these things has a kind of soothing effect on them 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 dislike doing them 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 habits, don’t give up on yourself. These symptoms can be overcome if you have a sufficient amount of 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 you are 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.
Therapy For People Who Bite Their Nails
First off, nail biting is a stress related 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 Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques can be quite effective. That’s because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The individual can learn to apply several different methods to increase both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of relaxation and well-being.
The second part teaches the nail biter to become aware of this unconscious habit. Suggestions can be given to the unconscious 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 several other powerful methods. For example, we can help the client to set up an “Anchor” or trigger so that he/she can momentarily disassociate. 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 methods that actually program the client with a compulsion to reject biting his/her nails.
With this particular compulsion, being realistic is very important. First off, you have practiced the unwanted habit hundreds or even thousands of times. It is important to accept that this behavior will not be overcome in a few days or weeks.
Second, you are fighting the fact that it feels good to do, and it provides much short-range satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to overcome, but I believe it is well worth it. Experience has shown a number of methods to be quite effective!
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Alan B. Densky, CH began 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 website at www.Neuro-VISION.US where he offers Self-Hypnosis CD’s and books. Visit his FREE hypnosis article fibrary, or subscribe to one of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.
Alan B. Densky, CH opened his practice way back in 1978. Alan 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.
- Alan B. Densky, CH
