Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are all related behaviors. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders. People who bite their nails often keep their hands behind their backs or in their pockets. People who bite their nails often feel social embarrassment and shame and experience out-of-control feelings at times. At times they may wonder why they are not able to stop and they often question whether or not they are crazy.

Biting usually 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 altered state and not thinking about what they are doing. It is often when they are involved 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 frequently interrupt their other activities to engage in it.

There is also a strong commonality in the various purposes behind nail biting, skin picking and hair pulling. At the most basic level, they satisfy an urge. Many people report an almost uncontrollable urge 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 stop. It simply "feels good" at the time no matter what the consequences.

Even if you have more than one of these problems, don't give up on yourself. These compulsive behaviors 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 start to make some serious progress.

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

Hypnosis & NLP For People Who Bite Their Nails

To start with, nail biting is a nervous habit. So the first part of the therapy 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 techniques are usually effective. That's because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The sufferer can learn to apply several different methods to enhance both the relaxed state, as well as his/her overall feeling of well-being.

The second part of the therapy teaches the individual to become aware of this unconscious habit. Post-hypnotic suggestions are generally given to the subconscious 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 several other powerful hypnosis and NLP techniques. 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 effective technique that will effectively relieve the urge.

The third part of the hypnotic therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to nail bite. There are Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite his/her nails.

With this particular behavior, being realistic is very important. First, you have probably practiced the unwanted behavior hundreds or even thousands of times. You will need to accept that this behavior will not simply be overcome in a few days or weeks.

Second, you are fighting the fact that biting your nails feels good, and it offers a lot of short-term satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to master, but I believe that it is well worth the effort. Experience has shown a number of techniques to be very effective!