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What You Should Know About Nail Biting And How To Use Hypnotherapy To Break The Compulsion

By: Alan B. Densky, CH
 

Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. People who bite their nails often hide their hands behind their backs. People who bite their nails often feel social embarrassment and shame and experience out-of-control feelings at times. They often wonder why they can't stop and they also question whether or not they are sane.

Biting usually 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 really thinking about what they are doing. It's often when they are involved in some other activity at the same time such as reading or talking, etc. For others, their main activity at the time is the actual picking or biting, and they will usually interrupt their other activities to engage in it.

There is also 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 report an uncontrollable feeling of needing 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 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 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, do not give up. They 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 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 bad habit, you can make serious progress.

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

Hypnotherapy For Nail Biting

First of all, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the hypnotic therapy is to teach the individual 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 are very often very 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 awareness of this unconscious habit. Suggestions are generally given to the unconscious mind 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 several other effective methods. 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 excellent technique that will effectively relieve the urge.

The third part of the hypnotherapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite. There are hypnotic methods that actually program the client with a compulsion to reject biting his/her nails.

With the nail biting behavior, being realistic is very important. In the first place, you have practiced the unwanted habit thousands of times. You need to accept that the compulsion to bite your nails will not simply be overcome in a few weeks.

Secondly, 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 master, but it will be well worth it. My experience has shown a number of methods to be quite effective!

Article Source: Main Articles

Alan B. Densky, CH established his professional practice of hypnosis & NLP way back in 1978. Alan has worked with thousands of clients to overcome these types of habits. Hypnotherapy For Nail Biting has been a common part of his practice. 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 library, or subscribe to one or more of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.

This article may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission provided the byline, resource area, and any hyperlinks remain in order to give proper credit to the author.

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