Compulsions...how to stop?

[EmilyR6]

I don't perform rituals or have any common thoughts/anxieties associated with OCD. However, I regularly engage in picking and compulsive behaviors - seemingly always when I'm bored/unoccupied. There are two behaviors that I switch off between: Picking at my scalp and trying to bite the papillae off of my tongue. I know it's weird... I've looked around online, but I can't seem to find hardly anyone who shares this second behavior! I'm very confused as to why I do these things and can't remember when or why I started.
The second behavior is painful - and I recognize that it's painful - but it feels satisfying somehow. I usually engage in these behaviors when I'm not fully occupied (not quite "bored", but not quite fully engaged). For example, when I'm watching a movie/TV show, reading a book, doing homework, surfing the internet, etc. It gives me the feeling of having "something to do". I just can't sit still and concentrate on a single activity, so I unconsciously start doing these things. I'm even biting my tongue as I type this, for god's sake! Then...if a swollen taste bud/papillae forms from the initial biting (which it usually does), it irritates me so much that I have to remove it with further biting/picking/whatever it takes!
I've been doing these things for years...maybe over a decade (and I'm only 20). I can continue to do them, because they're not easily noticeable by others and have little consequence. But I really just want to stop. I can't say how many times I've tried - so many. But I just can't seem to. I might go for a week without doing anything, and then, when I'm spacing out, I'll pick up the behaviors unconsciously. It's so frustrating... =(

[BobbieJohn]

I currently started biting the taste buds off of my tongue as well. When I notice that I have a swollen taste bud, I do everything to get rid of it––even if it means picking it, and all of the taste buds around it, off with my nails. I am both O.C.D. and schizophrenic, so I'm not without other problems, but I just wanted you to know that there are people who do this other than yourself.

[BobbieJohn]

I currently started biting the taste buds off of my tongue as well. When I notice that I have a swollen taste bud, I do everything to get rid of it––even if it means picking it, and all of the taste buds around it, off with my nails. I am both O.C.D. and schizophrenic, so I'm not without other problems, but I just wanted you to know that there are people who do this other than yourself.

[Tezkatlipoc]

I have been doing this now for about 35 years. I developed it as a child. My home life was not good and I liken it into cases where abused dogs gnaw off of their fur. In many of the accounts in the posts I have seen many similar traits as me, some that are not at all, and some mixes. Usually at a stress time my teeth will find a sweet bump and it goes from there. At times I am able to do a gnaw or 2, and sometimes it evolves into biting, nails, and a very few times I will use clippers. The amount of blood is incredible. The pain is a bit exhilarating and calming. I usually will do it until a patch is gone or there are times where it is a deeper process that goes into leaving a deep hole right about the tip . As a few mentioned, there was cheek gnawing as a child but that went away. It was all about the tongue. Just thought I would share. I decided to post because I just got done with doing it and it occurred to me to look up a name of the disorder or compilation and to maybe get an idea as to how prevalent it is. Mabey it was more common...

[AlisonAWest]

I do this too. In the last two years I have been diagnosed with OCD, MDD, ADD, PD, and GAD. My two biggest compulsions are biting my taste buds off, and picking at sores on my skin. It's relentless. I bite my tastebuds off so bad to the point that I have had issues with growing them back on the tip of my tongue and gone months without tasting salt. I have done this behaviour since before I can remember. I have tried Cognative Behavioral Therapy and gum, bite plates, stress balls. ANYTHING to stop, but nothing works. I bite until the pain makes my stomach nauseous. I can't stop until tears are flowing down my face. You are not alone, and I hope we both find relief soon.

[moderngman]

Hi there. Hope you found the answers you were looking for. This has been a mindless habit for me too for years, and it drove me crazy once or twice. I believe it is a nervous thing, and a way to hydrate your mouth. We can be dehydrated long before we are thirsty.
Biting the tongue can also be an easy way to squirt some endorphins and trigger pain receptors.
A sad habit of denial is to try harder. Some emotion unfulfillment may make use chase this "false dragon" so to speak, and being aware of it is not enough. We have to let go of something that may be toxic, may not be for us. That may mean forgetting, forgiving, letting go, something.
Our brains will always like a cheap thrill, and quick fix. We just need better habits, and rewire our brains to get its rocks off in non-self destructive ways.
there is a good article in scientific american about habits. Check it out.

[JGF25]

You cut your tongue with clippers?  Okay, don't you think it is high time you saw a psychologist for this problem?  What have you been thinking all these years?  You obviously knew it wasn't normal.  Mental health issues are all over the map and you have one so get some help for it please.  It has become a nasty habit after 40 years but the good news for you is that habits can be broken with the right help.  Take care.