Nail Biting: Why Stress, Anxiety, and Boredom Drive This Common Habit
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News18•26-01-2026, 10:31
Nail Biting: Why Stress, Anxiety, and Boredom Drive This Common Habit
- •Nail biting, medically known as onychophagia, is a common habit in both children and adults, often linked to stress and anxiety.
- •It serves as a self-soothing mechanism, providing temporary relief from mental restlessness, boredom, frustration, or lack of concentration.
- •The habit can be unconscious, occurring during tasks like thinking, watching TV, or talking on the phone, and may be exacerbated by conditions like ADHD.
- •While seemingly minor, nail biting carries health risks including infections from bacteria, stomach problems, damage to teeth and gums, and permanent nail structure alteration.
- •Strategies to curb the habit include identifying triggers, using stress balls, keeping nails short, applying bitter-tasting polish, and seeking psychological counseling for persistent cases.
Why It Matters: Nail biting is a common self-soothing behavior driven by stress, anxiety, or boredom, with potential health risks.
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