I hate my bitten nails

[BeBopaLula75]

I've bitten my nails for most of my life and I hate them. They aren't really really awful, I've definitely seen worse, but I want to stop. It's a stress/nervous thing.
The nasty tasting stuff doesn't work, and the only thing that has worked in the past is putting loads of growing type treatments, so that I notice the difference when I put my fingers in my mouth ( it's such a gross thing, I know). Are there any things that I can use?Any treatments? what are BIAB nails? I've had gel nails and I didn't like them and how they had to be filled.
In the last couple of years, I've divorced a cheating narcissist, been made redundant and found new work, begun a new relationship with someone who is lovely and I'm starting to get things back on track, so this will be the next bit of me that I'm managing to get on top of.
Thanks

My mentor, Tim Box, was a plumber before he started training in hypnosis. One day a friend of his was bemoaning the state of her nails because she was due to be married in a few weeks. He practised his fledgling hypnosis on her and told her subconscious to stop the nail biting because it was making her unhappy. Neither thought it had worked but, to his great surprise, when he went to the wedding she flashed her perfect nails at him as she walked down the aisle.

As you say, it's a self soothing habit so (presumably) at one time it worked in soothing you.

so this will be the next bit of me - yup, that 'bit' needs to know it's work is no longer necessary. Check out your local hypnotherapists.

BIAB is a “hard” gel, so does need to be filled like gel nails do, I’d say every 3-4 weeks depending on your nail growth. However if it stops you biting your nails (much harder with the hard cured gel on!) is it not worth the time needed to infill? If you have plain BIAB with no gel colour on then an infill somewhere good can take 45m or less with an experienced nail tech.

I paid 5 pounds for an app. Quit nail-biting hypnosis . It did work, but I think I should have continued to listen to it every other week or so.

Sorry to hear OP. You could try taking supplements like Perfectil to strengthen and promote growth which I realise won't stop the habit but might give you a bit of confidence. Look into ways to maintain, get a nail file or clippers, decide on how you want to maintain them once they start growing.

The mindset is an important part of this so rather than it being a 'stop doing the thing', think of it as 'starting to have the thing you want' for all the reasons you want it, it can help to actually write down the reasons...it sounds lame but it's a positive affirmation thing and can be pretty powerful for sustaining the intention.

The other thing to do is recognise when you bite them, eg what circumstances often probably unconsciously, and then you'll be more in tune with the habit and better able to stop it in its tracks. You could get something like a fidget ring to displace it.

Lastly don't be disheartened by any setbacks it can take time to break a habit just keep being kind to yourself and keep the positive goal in mind rather than the 'stop the thing' mindset as these tend to not be sustainable in the long run. Good luck!

My mum has struggled with this for so much of her life. So much so that I noticed it as a kid, did it myself for a bit, then thankfully managed to stop when still quite young. I keep a nail file, clippers and good hand cream with me where ever I tend to sit (desk, sofa, bedside). And in the beginning the focus was on my invention to groom my nails nicely instead of biting them. So I want focused on stopping biting, but on grooming them nicely. It's just become a habit now. I do remember the early days of stopping biting them though. It had to be done by degrees for me. First I'd get irritated to notice I was biting, and have to repair the damage with a file, etc., but then gradually I started to notice when my hand was reaching up to my mouth, and then it was about treating my hands nicely whilst sitting through the discomfort of not acting in habit. It certainly eases with time. Good luck!

Another approach is to build on your sense of self-worth, one nail at a time. One nail is an achievable goal because it does not try to change a very established unconscious habit so in one go.

So choose one nail, any nail, and decide not to bite it. The other nails are still available. Regularly stroke that nail and finger, admire its growth and actively praise yourself for enabling it. Pamper your hands with whatever cream or lotion you like. Celebrate the day you file that nail, and the day to trim it. Be genuinely pleased with yourself, and entirely forgiving of any action on the other nails. It really does not matter if you bite them.

Once that nail is growing well, add the same nail on the other hand and repeat.

Baby steps, each one affirming that you are looking after yourself, and that you are worth looking after.

Well done on breaking away and building a new life for yourself. I had a similar situation and I found that finding a sympathetic nail tech really helped. Having your nails done on a regular basis changes the focus on them. I keep a small crystal nail file with me so that when I get a catch, I can remove it properly, rather than nibbling it. I also have a bottle of nail oil and rub that in. It just takes time to pivot and break the habit.

I have BIAB nails. I used to bite my nails and pick all the skin around them so they would often be ragged and bleeding. It was anxiety and it made me feel rubbish, especially professionally. The BIAB does need fillling but I cannot bite it and I am finally proud of my nails rather than ashamed of them. I would recommend it.

I have had dreadful nails for most of my life. I have to invest in gel nails as in getting them done. It is the only thing that keeps me (mostly) away from.them. hypnosis didn't work at all btw. Might for you but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't or spend too much money on it of it doesn't seem to be having an effect.

This is me..it's horrible. But yeah I have to commit to a lifetime of gel now

Thank you all for your lovely and helpful messages. I think that I'm going to try and find some hypnosis stuff initially, and I really like the always carry a nail file tip, because that's been my downfall when I've managed to grow them before. Thank you 😊

When do you tend to bite them?...i was a bugger for biting them when driving. So I now wear driving gloves and that helps. A lot of the time for me it was an automatic, habitual thing so breaking that helped.