Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are all related behaviors. Skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting are labeled as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders or OCD. Nail biters often keep their hands in their pockets. Nail biters often feel social embarrassment and shame and experience out-of-control feelings at times. They often wonder why they cannot stop biting their nails and they may question whether or not they are crazy.

Nail 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 engrossed in some other activity at the same time such as watching TV or working on the computer, etc. For others, their main activity at the time is the actual picking or biting, and they will often interrupt their other activities to engage in it.

There is also a strong commonality seen in the purposes behind these three problems (skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting). At the most basic level, these symptoms satisfy an urge. Many people report an almost 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 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 despair. These behaviors can be overcome if you have enough 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 become aware of the fact that you are just a person who simply happens to have a problem, you can make some 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 & NLP 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 techniques are very often quite effective. That's because the very essence of hypnosis is relaxation. The person 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 biter to become aware of this unconscious habit. Post-hypnotic suggestions are given to the unconscious 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 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 mentally step outside of him/herself. This is an effective method that will effectively relieve the urge to bite.

The third part of the hypnotic therapy is to eliminate the compulsion to bite the nails. There are hypnotic techniques that actually program the client with a compulsion to not bite.

With the nail biting compulsion, being realistic is very important. First off, you have probably 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 weeks.

Secondly, you are fighting the fact that it feels good to do, and it offers short term satisfaction and either stimulation or soothing feelings. It can take a little time to overcome, but I believe it is well worth it. My experience has shown a number of techniques to be quite effective!

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Alan B. Densky, CH opened his practice in 1978. Alan has worked with thousands of clients to overcome these types of habits. 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 fibrary, or subscribe to one or more of his FREE hypnosis newsletters.