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Nail biting is related to skin picking and hair pulling. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting 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. At times they may wonder why they are not able to stop biting their nails and they often question whether or not they are crazy.

Biting often happens when nail biters are in one of two modes. Some people do it in an automatic way, as if they are in some kind of a trance and not thinking about what they are doing. It is often when they are engrossed in some other activity at the same time such as talking on the phone or watching TV, 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 a strong commonality seen in the various purposes behind these three problems (nail biting, skin picking and hair pulling). At a very basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many people report an uncontrollable feeling of needing to do them. Biting, picking or pulling 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 have these habits find it so hard to give them up. It simply "feels good" at the time no matter what.

Even if you suffer from more than one of these behaviors, do not give up on yourself. 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 get down to realizing 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 is not currently a "cure" but you can find a relief if you are willing to work at it. Therapy for nail biting consists of three parts.

Hypnotherapy & NLP For Nail Biting

First of all, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the hypnotherapy is to teach the sufferer 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 of the therapy teaches the nail biter to become aware of this unconscious habit. Post-hypnotic suggestions are given to the unconscious mind 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 also several other powerful techniques. As an example, we can help the client to set up an "Anchor" or trigger so that he/she can momentarily disassociate. This is a powerful method that will effectively relieve the compulsion.

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

With the biting behavior, being realistic is very important. First off, you have rehearsed the unwanted behavior hundreds or even thousands of times. You must accept that the urge to bite your nails will not simply be overcome in a few days or weeks.

Secondly, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good, 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 the effort. Experience has shown a number of techniques to be very effective!

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Alan B. Densky, CH established his hypnosis practice way back in 1978. Alan has helped 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 of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.

Alan B. Densky, CH began his practice 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 of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.