Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Nail Biting
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
Nail Biting
by Cissy Popham, Nov 07, 2000 12:00AM
My 5 year old son has always been a nail biter. He even bites the skin around his nails when his nails are to short to bit.
He is upset with himself because he wants to stop. Can anyone offer suggestions for me to help him stop?
He is upset with himself because he wants to stop. Can anyone offer suggestions for me to help him stop?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Nov 07, 2000 12:00AM
, Nov 07, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Ms. Popham,
This behavior can be particularly difficult to stop, both for children and for adults. Your son is probably more prone to do this at some times more than at other times. You can probably identify the pattern. When he is at home, have him wear cotton mittens or gloves during the stretches when he might normally be biting his nails. Sometimes, over a period of weeks, this helps to interrupt the pattern.
Generally, the behavior reduces tension and becomes a habit pattern. To the extent that any particular precipitants to tension can be identified, try to make changes in those areas. However, it's often not possible to discern any particular sources of tension.
This behavior can be particularly difficult to stop, both for children and for adults. Your son is probably more prone to do this at some times more than at other times. You can probably identify the pattern. When he is at home, have him wear cotton mittens or gloves during the stretches when he might normally be biting his nails. Sometimes, over a period of weeks, this helps to interrupt the pattern.
Generally, the behavior reduces tension and becomes a habit pattern. To the extent that any particular precipitants to tension can be identified, try to make changes in those areas. However, it's often not possible to discern any particular sources of tension.
