Bad Habits

Bad habits.  Where to start?  Everyone has them, not everyone has the same bad habits.  I will tell you that I used to be a nail biter, not so much anymore.  I even let my nails grow at times and get manicures.  I am not into the colors and fancy artwork, however, I think a french manicure or pedicure done well, looks sharp.  It's clean and it looks good I think.  It's my favorite, anyway.  :)

Here is the hard part, something I have been doing for years, never realized it had a name or means something is wrong with me.  I pick the skin around my nails a lot, sometimes to the point where they bleed.  I have been reading up on this "condition" and it says people often do this because they like the way it feels when they hurt themselves.  Now hold on a hot minute, I am not into pain, most of you know this about me.  In fact, when I am in any kind of pain, I could easily turn into a big baby.  So, I don't agree with this.  Personally, I find I do this when I am either bored or anxious about something. 

It looks gross!  My friend Becky, when she first saw it, loose skin hanging from all of my fingers literally she described me as a "cutter."  That is way overstated.  I would never harm myself in the manner real "cutters" do, but now since I know this has a name and different meanings, it really makes me want to quit doing it.  How do I break a habit that I have done for years?  I looked at several websites and of course, they want to sell me a book. No thank you.  When I was trying to quit biting my nails I tried putting that nasty tasting stuff you put on them to deter you from biting them, as you would figure, that didn't work for me, I bit them anyway.  So putting something nasty tasting wont work.  I don't want to go to the doctor to get meds for something like this, surely there has to be a way to stop. 

I had never publicly discussed this before.  Never knew there were other people like me.  Until....I found out, quite by accident once, that a girl I used to work with does the same thing!  And a good friend of mine's husband does the same thing!  So, I am not alone in this disgusting habit, doesn't make it right, I am just stating facts.  What this is called is Dermatillomania is usually from stress, anxiety or upset and can be a way of releasing tension though the urge to pick is overwhelming.  OMG, it has a name!!  I am going to try to work on doing this less at first, then hopefully not at all.  Wanted to get this out in a public forum, to let people know, if they are closet skin pickers, maybe it will help someone else!  You are not alone!

Recently, it was brought to my attention that I talk with my hands.  Funny thing is, I never realized that.  I will make a mental note to control that. 

I am quite sure I have other bad habits, but that is all I can think of right now, as I am really in shock still about the above mentioned condition.  If anyone knows of a legit way to get rid of this unsightly habit that I have formed, please share with me.