07-29-14, 07:08 AM | |
Join Date: Jan 2013
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Along the lines of Bubbles's suggestion, I wonder if cognitive therapy would help. It's the principle behind The Beck Diet Solution, which I raved about earlier this summer, which is a series of focused exercises designed to get people to take back control of destructive behaviors (in that case, overeating). I don't know if there's a specific program for nail-biting, but this book might be worth looking into: This Year I Will: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True by MJ Ryan.
I know Dr. Beck has you start by making a list of all the advantages to changing your behavior--and then scheduling a time to read, think about, and really internalize those advantages... so they are always fresh in your mind when you're faced with temptation. That might help, to begin with! Good luck. I hope you find some relief!
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~Gem Dux femina facti |
07-29-14, 09:04 AM | |
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Former nail-biter here.
For me, a series of things adds together to help. One, wearing multiple layers of clear polish and making sure to keep my nails shaped and trimmed (with high grit files), is key. It seems my nails are just naturally kinda wimpy, so providing them a protective barrier to add strength and stability is key. I wear about four or five layers, of different things. Currently on my nails: Base coat (currently Duri Rejuvacote from Walmart), ridge filling coat (Mavala from Ulta), strengthening coat (Deborah Lippmann's Hard Rock), top coat (Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat). Sometimes I wear a bit of color, on top of the ridge filling layer, underneath the hardener and SH Mega Shine. Other stuff I wear/use: Mavala makes a product called Scientifique that you brush just across the very tips of your nails, it's not designed to be put on the whole nail. I think there are some similar products out there (Quimica Alemana Nail Hardener, I think is similar. Have never used it since I can get Mavala locally) ProStrong's Pro Accelerator is a fluoride treatment you can brush over your nails even when you have polish on. For whatever reason I forget to use this. (never have been one for daily routine, I guess.) Filing nails with high grit (glass files, or even higher grit regular types. I get along well with some from Sally's.) Filing nails with dark polish on helps me focus on properly developing the shape I want. Being gentle with my hands and fingertips in general is a help. Harsh cleansers, strong shampoos, even blowdrying my hair all the time all add up and the cumulative damage can weaken the nails as they grow out. http://loodieloodieloodie.blogspot.com/ is a great blog full of info. IIRC, she finished a graduate degree some time ago and doesn't have the time for adding to the blog the way she used to, but she's got lots of great advice. Most of all, just be sure that change is possible. ETA: For me, the DIY gel nails just seem to encourage me to pick off the polish, which leads to peelies. They are nice looking and quick, in the short term, so I do give in once in a while when I need my nails looking well groomed in a hurry. Sorry to ramble. |
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