bad habit >_<

[Tenshi no Ai]

This is a small request, but I big favor than I'm really wanting prayer for and was reminded of it when I saw Q's topic on overcoming her issue. So, just thought I'd post a prayer request so I can get help to overcome my own issue, once and for all.

You see, ever since I can even remember, I've always been a nail biter/picker (mostly when I feel a sharp edge and rip off most the nail in the process of fixing it >_<), but even worse than that, start on hangnails and peel back the layers of skin around my fingers, until a quarter-half of my finger has a noticeble layer of skin missing :/ It's gross looking, it hurts if I peel off the wrong way, and gets to the point where I start to bleed sometimes, which isn't good :/

I have stopped cold turkey only.... 3 times before, but eventually relapsed and started up again :/ All because of either anxiety, boredom, and mainly because I feel that piece of skin poking up and that I have to "fix" it. Apparently it's even a psychological condition too, called by some big fancy name (an impulsive disorder). I've found it VERY hard to stop, because most the time I start it, I don't even REALIZE I've started to pick away at it, until part of the skin's ripped off and then I think "now I have to fix it..." and that never helps >_< It's almost like I do it subconsciously sometimes :/

And just reminding myself of the other topic, it is SO true that I know it's not impossible to overcome because I have been able to quit 3 times. But now, I want to quit, forever. VERY hard thing to do, yes, but I guess since it's Jan 1st now, it can be like a bit of a New Years resolution. So yeah, prayers about this would be appreciated^^

[Jingo Jaden]

In my prayer.

[Rogie]

Well, I completely understand this. I'm a very bad nail and skin picker myself, and I once tore off my entire fingernail from the cuticle up. It healed after 6 months, and a few weeks ago, I happened to nearly do it once again (I only tore off about half this time).

While it doesn't seem major to some people, it is pretty bad, as we can possibly damage our fingers severely, not to mention all the pain that comes from it. I'm picking one fingernail right now between sentences; it's a hard habit to quit. And it looks very un-professional, in case you happen to enter the career world soon.

I'll be praying, Tenshi no Ai. I never thought of praying about something like this before, but I can see the need.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I never thought of praying about something like this before, but I can see the need.

Like I said, it's a small request, but a big favor^^ I just want to stop and overcome it :/ But I guess technically it can be big, concerning open wounds and infections and all that stuff (and I'm a cashier so I handle money all the time, which isn't exactly the cleanest thing in the world...)

[QtheQreater]

Well, I've never ripped an entire fingernail off (reading that made me shudder, Rogie) but I have the picking problem. Nervous habit. Ack.

Odd as it sounds, Q has a tiny bit of advice. Ever seen a stress squish ball? I've noticed that a large part of the picking involves a need for the hands to be active. Nothing wrong with the need for activity, but it needs to be focused on something before it finds a release through the picking. The little stress balls are an excellent focus. I take one to class with me at college and let my hands do whatever they want to it. If you notice yourself starting to pick at the skin take out the stress ball. After a while, your need to pick starts to become a need to squish that little ball. Like I said, tiny bit of advice, not sure replacing the problem with another sort of obsession is the best way, but it's far less destructive to you. (and as a bonus, your hands get stronger...if you play piano like me that's priceless).

I'll pray for you.

[Tenshi no Ai]

(and as a bonus, your hands get stronger...if you play piano like me that's priceless).

Don't play piano, but I game^^;

It does sound like an idea though... because it's true that my hands need to be doing moving or something :/ I mean in the past couple months, I've been touching my lips often and what do you know? Without realizing it, I end up ripping thin skin layers off it too >_< And from starting that, I end up biting and the cycle continues... :/

So basically, note to self: buy something to squish :/

[Rogie]

So basically, note to self: buy something to squish :/

Yeah, and really try to keep at it, too. I have stress balls like that, but I forget to use them. I even had one in the car, but I ended up tossing it more while driving, so... I had to stop that.

And by the way, I hope my above comment about prayer didn't sound demeaning; I didn't mean for it to come out that way.

[K. Ayato]

Used to bite my nails and the surrounding skin since the day I knew how. I stopped cold turkey a while back. Now, I still keep my nails short (can't stand having them long), but I use a nail trimmer. Does a much neater job , and it just looks a lot better having them completely straight as compared to rough jagged edges.

Ever considered painting your nails? And by painting, I mean 2 heavy coats of colored polish. Oh, and have someone hide the nail polish remover.

[SP1]

I agree with the "give your hands something to do" approach. I used to bite my nails a lot. After I got into the Navy, I had to spend a lot of time at computer consoles. While there, whenever I noticed my fingers going toward my mouth, I typed on the keyboard or twisted a knob or something. I suppose you can sit on one hand, too. Take notes in class with the other one.

[agasfas]

I'll keep you in my prayers. I hear of many people who do that too. As for myself I have a problem pulling my chin hair which is why I keep it shaved... O.o I think many of us have some form of bad habit. You can do it! ^_^

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Oh wow Tenshi, I am exactly like that too! Every detail you spoke of relates to me too O.o

[ChristianKitsune]

I am with MSP...O_O

I didn't really know that was a BAD thing.. I mean it's not good for you hands...but that could mean I have an anxiety problem?!

...I knew it. XD;

hmmm.. I will pray too!!

[Ryupower]

ewww.....my fingers hurt hearing that. XD

I'll be praying for you.

[Tenshi no Ai]

I didn't really know that was a BAD thing.. I mean it's not good for you hands...but that could mean I have an anxiety problem?!

I just find that I like, overdo it when I'm nervous, anxious, etc. That's when I make a big mess usually >_<

But thanks for prayers too^^ Although I've been rubbing the hangnails, haven't had the need to pick/peel at all^^ Cept once, but I really did fix it rather than wreak it.

Just need to continue to strengthen my willpower to overcome this forever^^