Nail bites, skin bites or physical discomfort (repetitive acts that a person performs on their body, often leading to damage to the skin, hair, or nails) seem to be simple and are a mental disorder that needs attention.
Dr. Tracey marks - a psychologist with more than 20 years of experience (working at marks Psychiatry Clinic, Georgia, USA) - said that these are repeated behaviors that focus on the body, also known as dermatillomania, and need to be treated to avoid affecting health and psychology.
Dr. marks explains that behaviors such as nail biting, skin biting, inside cheek biting or scratching are common forms of body behavior, often found in people with anxiety or ADHD (aortic disorder).
Anxious people do this behavior to relieve stress and calm themselves. People with ADHD do this to create sensory stimulation, providing sensory information to the brain.
The act of breaking the body, if prolonged, can cause skin damage, infections, loss of aesthetics and psychological effects.
Dr. marks emphasizes that recognizing one's own behavior is the first step in treatment. You need to understand why you are doing this and apply a strategy to reverse habits, that is, replace harmful habits with more positive behaviors.
Some simple measures include wearing gloves to break the semi- automated cycle, changing the habit of biting nails by moving your hands, or participating in supportive therapies.
According to the Cleveland Clinic (under the Cleveland Clinic system, one of the leading hospitals and health organizations in the US), about 5.4% of the population experiences dermatillomania at least once in their life. Popular treatments include habit reversal therapy, group therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Dr. marks recommends that if you find yourself frequently biting your nails, skin peeling or scratching, you should see a psychiatrist or a mental health professional for timely guidance.
Early identification and adjustment of behavior helps reduce negative impacts on health, improve psychology and prevent long-term developmental disorders.
(The article is for reference only, not a replacement for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor if you have health questions).
