What is nail biting?
Nail biting might start as a simple habit but can cause physical discomfort and emotional distress over time. It’s often driven by a subconscious desire to fix ‘imperfections’, which can be hard to stop. Yet it can also cause shame, anxiety and low self-esteem. In severe cases, chronic nail biting may result in bleeding, infections, pain and scarring.
You might use nail biting as a way to cope with feelings of nervousness, boredom, or frustration. Nail biting is commonly linked to stress and anxiety, often starting in childhood and sometimes continuing into adulthood. It is sometimes considered a body-focused repetitive behaviour, like skin picking and hair pulling.
If nail biting has started to affect your mental health and quality of life, professional guidance can help. If stress or anxiety triggers your nail biting, talking therapies can support you to address the root causes. Hypnotherapy for nail biting and other treatments can help you manage and overcome your habit, improving your overall wellbeing.
Nail-biting is the most common of the body-focused repetitive behaviours
Up to 45% of teenagers bite their nails
25% of young adults continue to bite their nails as a way to cope with stress and anxiety
36% of office workers admit to biting their nails during work hours
What causes it?
You can develop a nail biting habit for various reasons, often connected to stress, anxiety or mood disorders. It’s also associated with conditions like OCD and ADHD.
Many people start biting their nails in childhood, often alongside other habits like thumb-sucking. For some, this will persist into teenage years and adulthood. Big life changes or significant emotional events can trigger nail biting, making it a coping mechanism for managing discomfort.
What drives people to stop nail biting?
Nail biting can have a range of consequences that motivate people to quit.
You might feel ashamed or embarrassed about your nail biting, particularly if it causes visible damage to your nails or skin. This can make you self-conscious in social situations. You might try to hide your nails, keeping your hands on your lap or behind your back.
There are health risks to nail biting, including your oral health. It can damage your teeth, leading to chipping or cracking. In some cases, it can even contribute to jaw problems or bad breath. Other dental issues can include gum problems and infections like paronychia.
The habit also increases your risk of developing warts and ingrown nails. Severe nail biting can damage the nail beds, leading to pain and skin infections. It also increases the risk of transferring bacteria from your nails to your mouth, potentially causing further health problems.
Recognising the health and social impacts can be a strong motivator to stop biting your nails. By addressing your habit, you can improve both your physical health and social confidence.
How can people quit biting their nails?
Breaking your nail biting habit often requires a combination of practical steps and support.
Identify triggers
Do you bite your nails more at certain times or in specific situations? Maybe family gatherings cause you stress or you get anxious about work presentations. Narrowing down your triggers can help you prepare and anticipate when you might bite your nails. This helps your habit feel less out of control.
Keep your nails nice
Keep your nails trimmed and manicured to reduce the temptation to bite. This doesn’t mean you have to apply nail polish – just keep them looking short, smart and clean. Regularly cleaning your nails will also reduce a risk of infection.
Bitter nail polish
Applying special clear, bitter-tasting nail polish can help discourage the habit. However, this is only addressing the symptom and not the cause of your nail biting.
Gradually reduce your frequency
Start by focusing on not biting one set of nails at a time. This gradual approach can make the process feel less overwhelming.
Support and rewards
Seek support from friends or family who can help keep you motivated. Rewarding yourself for small successes along the way can also help reinforce your progress. Set milestones (3 days, 1 week, 1 month) to boost your motivation.
Tech support
Find mobile apps and other habit gadgets to help you track your progress, set reminders and break the habit. These visible tools can be a useful addition to your strategy.
Find healthier alternatives
Fidget toys take on the stress of repeated movements and can be a great alternative to biting your nails. Adult fidget toys are often designed to be small and discreet, so you can use them anywhere.
Talking therapies
If your nail biting habit is deeply ingrained and you’ve struggled to quit, you might need professional help. Your habit could have subconscious roots that are difficult to overcome alone. Support like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and hypnotherapy can help you address this.
How can nail biting hypnotherapy help?
Solution focused hypnotherapy for nail biting offers a tailored approach to help break the cycle. It addresses underlying triggers and guides you towards healthier alternatives.
During hypnotherapy sessions, you’ll be guided into a deeply relaxed state. Nail biting hypnosis allows you to access your subconscious and focus on relaxation techniques. This reduces anxiety and helps you manage stress, which are often triggers for nail biting.
Nail biting hypnotherapy interrupts unhelpful urges by addressing underlying triggers in the subconscious mind. It also promotes a sense of calm in everyday life, equipping you with tools to manage stress and encourage healthier responses.
Each hypnotherapy session is personalised to fit your specific needs, ensuring that the therapy supports your growth and healing process. Hypnotherapy provides a comprehensive approach to overcoming nail biting by focusing on both your mental and emotional wellbeing. Combined with practical steps and professional guidance, hypnotherapy for nail biting can help you break the habit and improve your quality of life.
Our Nail Biting Specialists
Benn Baker-Pollard
Sittingbourne
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Emma Bancroft
Rainham, Kent
Emma Treby
Mid Devon
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Marina Love
Aylesbury Vale
Peter Ely
Islington
Samantha Morson
Canvey Island
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
