Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums

Gabo · 07-09-2009, 12:48 AM

Starting when I was about 13, I began peeling my nails.
Instead of clipping them when they got long, i would just peel them.
Now, however, I compulsively peel my nails. All the time!

I always end up with horrible hangnails, and am constantly trying to stop.
I have done 30 day goals, told all my friends to tell me to stop if they see me, and more.
My problem is that I do it without even noticing I'm doing it.

What can I do to stop myself from this horrible habit?

Angela · 07-09-2009, 02:12 AM

How's your emotional state?

Gabo · 07-09-2009, 03:33 AM

Pretty good, I would say. I'm generally pretty relaxed and happy. I do have a lot of extra energy usually. I tend to be constantly moving.

Angela · 07-09-2009, 04:19 AM

Good -- in that case, a good master NLP practitioner/hypnotherapist can help you knock it right out in one 1-hour session.

(I asked about your emotional state, because if your habit is emotionally based, it might be a way of acting out some negative emotion onto your body, and taking away the nail-peeling might lead to something that is even more destructive, until the underlying emotion is dealt with.)

Just to be on the safe and thorough side, though, you might want to take stock of how you feel when you peel your nails -- just take a moment to notice what is happening in the moments before you start, and name the emotion you feel; it might also be a good idea to just think about what was going in in your life at age 13 when you started, and how you were feeling then.

It may sound like overdramatizing for a simple little behavior, right? And I think it's always a good idea to look boldly -- it only takes a few minutes and a little bit of attention.

WordKeeper · 07-09-2009, 04:27 AM

Here is a product that will strengthen your nails and result in nails less prone to being peeled. That might be one way to help solve your problem.

Dr Wilson's Supplements for Skin Hair and Nail Health

ginkgo · 07-09-2009, 05:45 AM

Put band-aids on all your nails. I bet you will not take them off without knowing it. This will make you more conscious of your habit.

Gabo · 07-09-2009, 05:50 AM

Thanks for the advice everyone!

That sounds like a good idea, ginkgo! I'll cover my nails somehow so that I won't be able to peel them unconsciously. I'll bet this will work, since I only tend to peel my toenails when I'm barefoot!

Ferrino · 07-09-2009, 06:52 AM

Get so busy doing jobs that require you to use your hands so that they are no longer available?!

07-09-2009, 12:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Gabo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 490	Can't stop peeling my nails! Starting when I was about 13, I began peeling my nails. Instead of clipping them when they got long, i would just peel them. Now, however, I compulsively peel my nails. All the time! I always end up with horrible hangnails, and am constantly trying to stop. I have done 30 day goals, told all my friends to tell me to stop if they see me, and more. My problem is that I do it without even noticing I'm doing it. What can I do to stop myself from this horrible habit?

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07-09-2009, 02:12 AM	#2 (permalink)
Angela Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 22,520	How's your emotional state?

07-09-2009, 03:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gabo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 490	Pretty good, I would say. I'm generally pretty relaxed and happy. I do have a lot of extra energy usually. I tend to be constantly moving.

07-09-2009, 04:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
Angela Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 22,520	Good -- in that case, a good master NLP practitioner/hypnotherapist can help you knock it right out in one 1-hour session. (I asked about your emotional state, because if your habit is emotionally based, it might be a way of acting out some negative emotion onto your body, and taking away the nail-peeling might lead to something that is even more destructive, until the underlying emotion is dealt with.) Just to be on the safe and thorough side, though, you might want to take stock of how you feel when you peel your nails -- just take a moment to notice what is happening in the moments before you start, and name the emotion you feel; it might also be a good idea to just think about what was going in in your life at age 13 when you started, and how you were feeling then. It may sound like overdramatizing for a simple little behavior, right? And I think it's always a good idea to look boldly -- it only takes a few minutes and a little bit of attention.

07-09-2009, 04:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
WordKeeper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 814	Here is a product that will strengthen your nails and result in nails less prone to being peeled. That might be one way to help solve your problem. Dr Wilson's Supplements for Skin Hair and Nail Health

07-09-2009, 05:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
ginkgo Banned Join Date: May 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA Posts: 3,747	Put band-aids on all your nails. I bet you will not take them off without knowing it. This will make you more conscious of your habit.

07-09-2009, 05:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Gabo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 490	Thanks for the advice everyone! That sounds like a good idea, ginkgo! I'll cover my nails somehow so that I won't be able to peel them unconsciously. I'll bet this will work, since I only tend to peel my toenails when I'm barefoot!

07-09-2009, 06:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ferrino Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 28	Get so busy doing jobs that require you to use your hands so that they are no longer available?!

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

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