3 yr old picks fingers constantly

My 3 1/2 year old daughter has picked up a picking habit of sorts about two years ago.  It started with picking anything from wallpaper off the wall, stickers off of things, virtually anything that can be picked.  Last year she then started in with her fingers, hangnails, any loose skin around the fingers she picks at- sometimes making it bleed, but not always to the bleeding point.  Now, anxiety runs high on my mothers side of the family.  One trait that all of the women have (grandma, mom, aunt, myself) is picking our fingers.  My mom also picks at her heels.  This is something we're all aware of.  I do pick myself, but try not to do it in front of my kids.  Nothing serious, but picking at loose skin around my fingers until it gets sensitive and red at times, but not obvious to anyone.  When I see her picking I tell her to stop and try to distract her.  It is not working.  Is this anxiety she has?  She seems too young for that.  What can I do to stop this behavior?  She does not bite her nails.  Thank you.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

As you can see, genetics play a huge role in some aspects of emotion and behavior. Have you stopped your behavior? You can see how difficult it can be to stop habit patterns. Your daughter's behavior may well be symptomatic of anxiety. Whether it is or not, there is little you can do about it except to keep her engaged in age-typical pursuits. She will likely engage in this behavior during 'down times', and that really cannot be avoided. The apple does not fall far from the tree.