Skin picking/ nail biting of fingers?

Hi,

I found this group while looking for information on onychophagia (nail biting). I have had this horrid habit since I was three years old and I am so sick of it. I had quit for about a year and then, I don't know what happened but I started again, and now it is worse than it has ever been in my entire life. My hands hurt constantly and every single nail bed is destroyed. The pain is so bad that I can hardly sleep and I can't even do simple tasks like pulling my drivers license or a credit card out of my wallet.

I think 40+ years of this is long enough and I really want to stop it. I also just quit smoking and I am afraid I may be trying to do too much at once.

I am considering going to counseling and maybe even obtaining a scrip for OCD meds. I hate the thought of doing that as I am really against Rx's for psychological issues. I have watched my mother and sister go around and around on the antidepressant carousel and neither of them has improved AT ALL using any of them. In fact, some, like Nefazadone, even have withdrawal issues when ceased.

I'd be open to suggestions from anyone having experience with any of this. Also, to FG: dermatillomania (skin picking), onychophagia (nailbiting) and trichotillomania (hair pulling) are all said to be rooted in OCD and are related disorders

Thanks,
ellimac

Hey thanks. For the info

I have been an obsessive excoriator of my acne (and perceived blemishes) for 20 or so years now and I have lost all hope for ever stopping. I have been thru several shrinks that wouldnt even address this particular problem...well, in all honesty--I refused to acknowledge it's existence for years.SO--what is to do about this thing?It really embarrasses me when people notice, so I hide when I'm having a bad episode.That means-today,yesterday,and tomorrow too,from the looks of things.

Froggirl20,
I have the same problems. I have bitten my nails for over 30 years and I am only 38. And I pick at anything on me! I was diagnosed w/ OCD about 7 mths ago. My psychiatrist started me on Prozac and I went up to 80 milligrams about 7 weeks ago and I haven't bitten my nails since, nor do I pick at anything. It was weird that all of a sudden I just quit. I really didn't even realize it for about a week and then I was COMPLETELY shocked that I hadn't done it lately. Also, I would pluck the hairs out of leg so that when they would try to grow back in, they would get stuck under the skin and I would have to pick at it too. I no longer do that either and it's a great feeling!! I knew I shouldn't do it, yet I did anyway. I couldn't stop myself. Seeing a therapist for this could help you a great deal. Good luck!
Jodi