Self destructive or hurting behavior

[sailordave]

At an early age (early grade school) I began twisting my hair. It progressed to pulling the twisted hair out by the roots. Embarassment of others seeing my bald spot made me stop pulling out my hair, but not the hair twisting. Don't know when I started biting my fingernails. Still do it. When reading books or are nervous about something I'll sometimes unknowingly get down to the skin and draw blood. At my worst was in high school. I peeled off my pinky toe nails. They grew back and I peeled them off again. I now have to clip them very short because of the angle they grow back. Haven't peeled them off since high school. I'm 43 now.

[Billy_J]

Well you have lived to be 43, so it can't be too destructive!

I would say if it does not bother you, then don't worry about it.

[looking4answers12]

I have some similar habits. I try to stop when I catch myself, but it seems that some things we just do unconciously and it really is difficult to break these habits. There has to be a way, but it certainly must take commitment and perserverance.

[sailordave]

Originally Posted by looking4answers12

I have some similar habits. I try to stop when I catch myself, but it seems that some things we just do unconciously and it really is difficult to break these habits. There has to be a way, but it certainly must take commitment and perserverance.

Several times I've given up biting my nails. Picking up a good book or watching a really suspenseful movie and before I know it, all my nails are gone. When really nervous about something, here comes the hair twisting. Longest I went without hair twisting was during my Navy days when my hair was too short to twist. Wife doesn't want me to cut it that short.