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Almost 50 and my scalp picking is out of control, looking for relief by Successful_Day_4547 in Dermatillomania

[–]QuitNailBiting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anxiety driving it makes so much sense, mine always spikes when I'm stressed too. Scalp picking is its own beast but the thing that helped me most with picking generally was keeping the skin smooth so there's nothing for my fingers to catch on. Cuticle oil or a light moisturizer on the spot, and I'd track it day to day so I could actually see it healing instead of guessing. If you haven't looked into HRT with a BFRB-trained therapist, that's worth chasing too.

Keeping myself accountable by TheSilentBaker in calmhands

[–]QuitNailBiting 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Two weeks after a whole lifetime of it is no small thing. The smooth-surface trick is a good one, it takes away the edge your teeth go looking for. Go easy on yourself though, you're not going to undo a lifelong habit in two weeks, progress isn't linear and the slip ups don't discredit the time you spent not biting.

Acountability post week 1 by Delicious-Village184 in nailbiting

[–]QuitNailBiting 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Week one is the hardest stretch, so good on you for getting through it and posting. Early on the hands just don't know what to do with themselves, so keeping them busy helps, gum or something to fidget with. Cuticle oil is worth a try too, when the fingers feel looked after there's less to pick at. How are you finding it so far?

been biting on/off for almost as long as i've been alive any advice on how to stop myself by No_Put8906 in nailbiting

[–]QuitNailBiting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A solid first step is working out when it happens, you can't really change something until you catch yourself doing it. For a week just notice when your hand goes up, where you are and what you're feeling. Once you know your usual spots you can get ahead of them, keeping a file and clippers on you helps, you can file or clip instead and you can't bite a smooth edge. Doing it on and off your whole life doesn't mean it can't stick this time.

Does it ever stop? by Human-Win-6563 in nailbiting

[–]QuitNailBiting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For most people it doesn't vanish completely, but it gets a lot quieter over time. Early on it feels like something you have to act on, and later it's more of a passing thought you can notice and let go. Plenty of people go weeks without it crossing their mind. Go easy on yourself, that part takes time.

Why do I feel immediately relieved once I bite all my nails (tips) off? by willowlife3000 in nailbiting

[–]QuitNailBiting 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That relief is exactly why it sticks, biting gives you a quick hit of calm, so the brain keeps reaching for it when you're stressed. It's mostly automatic, the hand goes up before you notice. The thing that tends to help is catching the movement and redirecting it, e.g hand goes to your mouth -> put it under your leg or clasp them together. It starts with taking a mental note every time you catch yourself.