onychophagiaIf you have ever bitten your nails compulsively and for an extended period of time, you may unknowingly have had a case of Onychophagia. This is a syndrome typified by chronic nail biting. It can become serious enough that nails are chewed off completely, and fingertips can be bitten bloody. It does have some serious ramifications for the social life of those who through their nails. For example, the first impression of a member of the opposite sex is generally not positive if they see the hands of a nail biter. The same goes for job interviews. First impressions mean a lot, and a potential employer who see a job applicant’s hands with the fingernails chewed to the quick, can form the impression that the applicant is a nervous individual.

The social and employment disappointments that can occur because of Onychophagia can also cause ongoing psychological issues such as poor self-esteem and self-loathing.

There are a number of treatments for Onychophagia that can be effective in certain circumstances. A traditional Onychophagia treatment might include painting the nails with a bad-tasting substance and even snapping a rubber band on one’s wrist as a reminder that nail biting is bad. I just read an e-book that has another quick and easy solution that does have a chance of working. It’s nothing I’ve ever seen before and it’s really worth checking out. You can see it http://onychophagia.org/.