Nail and finger biting

[rob1106]

Is nail biting due to anxiety?  I bit mine so bad that I sometimes rip the top of my pinky nails off.  Is there anything/medicine that would help?

My husband chews on his fingers to the point he has rough/scared finger.  What could cause this?

[muppetfan]

Well, I know I have been doing the same thing since I was 7 or so. I still to this day pull my fingernails, pick them, bite them and sometimes just want to just pull them plain off. And have...fingernails and /or toenails. Why? I have no idea, But I am working with a therapist and using some meds to assist with the anxiety, which I also have anxiety. There are meds out there that will help take the edge off. This may help. You may also want to look into Habit reversal therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. Ask a good therpist or have a friend refer you to one, or just ask you primary physician. They can prescribe meds for you too. I like Effexor, but that is primarily for anxiety attacks and keeping them at bay I have tried: Zoloft, paxil, etc. BUt my nailbiting I guess is the least of my worries. I think my family has just realized that their 36 yr old will never have pretty nails. Maybe one day I can celebrate nails. We'll see. Ont thing at a time Right? Good luck. I hope that helped. You're not alone.