Step #7

7thingsyoucandotostopbitingyournails-seektreatment

7. Seek Treatment

For some people, nail biting is more than a nuisance, it’s a serious problem. They bite nails until they bleed, have actually lost nails or caused permanent damage to the nail bed. If this sounds like you, you should consider seeking medical help.

Nail biting goes by the medical term “onychophagia,” and is one of the many behaviors that can be part of an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). If you believe your nail biting may be because of OCD, you should consult with your doctor; therapy and medication may be appropriate. Drugs like Paxil and Zoloft have been effective for helping people get these compulsions under control.