There are many theories that explain one way or another the habit of biting nails. But until the end, it is not known what makes people do this. What does a person “nibble”?
Several theories explaining the causes of onychophagia
1. Manifestation of childhood neurosis
So many doctors think, explaining that the child,
who bites his nails, gets rid of discomfort and psychological stress in this way. This habit releases the accumulated aggression, while giving pleasure. The fear of "adult" life also plays a significant role (the child, holding his finger in his mouth, still feels small, having the right to weakness).
2. Household reasons
Another source is boredom, the inability to keep oneself busy. And often this also occurs as a result of imitation of adults (if parents have the habit of biting their nails, then the child will do the same). By the way, this habit can also appear if the baby’s nails were poorly cared for. Dried hangnails force the child to get rid of them on his own.
3. Suppressed Desires
Freud's followers consider this habit to be analogous to masturbation. But, unlike the latter, it is less provocativeway of satisfaction, which obviously affects its prevalence.
So why is there a need to bite your nails?
Onychophagia (the need to bite your nails) most often occurs in people who are unable to express their negative emotions. This way of behavior is referred to as auto-aggression, that is, to such aggression, which is directed at oneself. This is a kind of way of self-abasement, self-accusation, associated with a subconscious symbolic attitude to the nails as the claws of an animal, that is, as a means of protection and manifestation of strength. Thus, biting nails, a person seems to be trying to hide his aggression directed at others.
These features are typical, as a rule, for people who are insecure, timid, or vice versa, energetic, confident, but understanding that the situation will not allow them to express the full force of their feelings, and suppressing emotions consciously.
The saddest thing about nail biting is that their untidy, depressing appearance makes a person even more disgusted with himself and, as a result, increases the desire to bite them. Here is such a vicious circle. How to escape from it?
What to do if you have onychophagia?
In order to help yourself cope with this habit, you need to want to get rid of it. Don't beat yourself up for putting your fingers in your mouth again and again. You need to create conditions that will make you give it up.
Men get rid of it easierdubious pleasure. It is enough for them to apply a special varnish on their nails, which has an unpleasant taste that discourages obsessive desire. In addition, this varnish incorporates a vitamin complex that helps the nails take on the proper look. Doctors advise applying it every two days, after washing off the remnants of the old one.
And women should give themselves a beautiful manicure with false acrylic nails. Any woman will be pleased to look at her fingers, and this will significantly increase self-esteem and help to refrain from a bad habit. In addition, acrylic is very uncomfortable to chew on.
Those who observe increased irritability, insomnia, appetite disorders, impulsivity should seek support from specialists. After all, a person who bites his nails “bites” himself, which means that you need to find out the cause of this condition and prescribe treatment.
