Taring of finger and toe nails

[dobash]

A close friend has a problem of taring her finger and toe nails until it bleeds.  This mostly occurs when watching television or just sitting and talking.  She does not know  why she does it but says she can't stop once she starts.  It is bad enough that she has bandaids on all ten fingers and toes because she does it until it bleeds.  Can this be OCD?

[HannahHelp123]

Hi,

I currently pick at my toenails and bite my fingernails also. I have done the latter since I was young and have never really stopped, I am currently 29yo. I am working on it.

I am aware I do both of these and believe it is a self-sabotage, punishment and/or stress-relief. During doing it, it feels satisfying but afterwards I feel ashamed, angry and annoyed that my nails are now wrecked and I have yet again ruined them. It also bloody hurts, ripping off whole toenails or fingernails so short that it exposes the underside of the nail, ouch!
To me the latter is almost a form of self-harm. I am hurting myself and my mental health plays a part in this. It is a viscious cycle, slowly picking the nail, removing the nail then the aftermath or painful toes and fingers and feeling disappointed in myself.

For me I am focusing on self-care and taking care of my body and not wrecking or hurting it. Building self-compassion for myself so I treat it with care and not damage or hurt myself. Also using healthier ways to relieve my stress, like meditating or breathing exercises.
Layers of socks will help in the interim and I choose to moisturise both my hands and toes/feet before bed; as a new self-care ritual but also to promote hopefully growth for my nails/skin.

Best of luck everyone! Be kind to yourselves. Peace

[specialmom]

So, two things come to mind. What about finding an alternative such as something specific to chew on. They make these rubber things that are shaped like P's and T's and can be smooth or textured. They are made specifically for oral soothing.  Might be something you can do as an alternative.  Second, what about talking to a professional?  A therapist, preferably a psychologist would be really helpful if there are ritualistic behaviors and obsessive behavior to work on.  

[HannahHelp123]

Hi Specialmom I think you were supposed to comment to the main group and person who asked the question? Either way hopefully they see your answer and advice :)

[disabledVet04]

I am a 35 yrs old disabled Army Vet... And I suffer from ptsd , anxiety, ocd, agorophobia, and a few other disorders.. And I am currently seeking out a new therapist because for the last few year I have been removing my own toenails.. Not just picking at them... I have my own little surgical kit.  And I remove them back past and under my cudicals,   and I know its weird but I get a sense of accomplishment when I remove a nail completely and not in pieces..  Its part of my ocd..and is brought on my my anxiety... I am now aware that I do it. But its a stress relief for me.   I am hoping the I can find someone help me with this...  Because after I do it and have the sense of relief, I ask myself.   What the hell is wrong with me..  And kinda wish I could stop... Pray for Me.  

[hotjago]

My 13 year old son picks his toenails until it bleeds. He also digs his scabs until that too bleeds. He constantly shakes his leg when he is standing. I don't know if it is some sort of anxiety disorder. i need help for him. a doctor diagnised him with Bi polar but we don;t think that is correct. He also suffers from night terrors. It is a sad state for my son.

[hotjago]

My 13 year old son picks his toenails until it bleeds. He also digs his scabs until that too bleeds. He constantly shakes his leg when he is standing. I don't know if it is some sort of anxiety disorder. i need help for him. a doctor diagnised him with Bi polar but we don;t think that is correct. He also suffers from night terrors. It is a sad state for my son.

[lilyandria897]

I do the same thing to my pinky toe.  I have a small pinky toenail and since about the age of 15, I've had the habit of picking and ripping it out until it bled.  I would pick at the sides of my pinky-nail, tearing it toward my cuticle then pulling the entire piece from the base and root of where the nail grows out from under the skin.  The pain would cause me to stay up all night sometimes, yet I couldn't wait for it to grow out so I could do it all over.  I don't think this is OCD, but just a bad and perhaps self-injurious habit.  I'm 30 now, I do it about once every 4 months now and feel the compulsion is more contained than when I was younger.

[topaz63]

I am wondering the same thing. There isn't much information on this disorder. I remember it starting when I was in my early teens, which is when my parents got divorced, my mom got sick and I started doing drugs and drinking alcohol.

I am 44 now and it is worse than ever. I have had some major trauma in the past few years, but can't stop and I feel helpless and out of control and like there is something really wrong with me. I can't wear sandals or anything that shows my toenails.

HELP!

[gunit410]

To the best of my knowledge tearing or biting finger or toenails is not usually OCD, but to the extent she's doing it and the manner as which you described the symptoms it quite possibly could be classified as such.

If it's not OCD, compulsive biting/tearing is usually a sign of an underlying anxiety problem, and there is something clearly wrong here if she's having to cover her fingers  and toes.  I would try and get her to consult a therapist about it to see what's going on, particularly since she's doing it to such a great extent.

[nyrvana]

lol i do that too, infact i enjoy tearing my toenails, i just feel satisfied when i use my fingers to slowly tear long uncut toe nails. but i stop when it hurts.