1: Seek Treatment

If your nail biting is extreme -- meaning that you regularly bleed, have lost nails or have permanent damage due to your habit -- then it may be time to seek help. Onychophagia is actually part of a group of behaviors that fall under the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). If you suspect that you may have OCD, consult a psychiatrist. He may suggest medication, therapy or a combination of both. Medications that may be prescribed include drugs that you've probably heard about, such as Paxil, Zoloft or Celexa.

Even if you don't have a diagnosis of OCD, you can still try one of several behavioral treatments to curb your nail biting. These may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy - These are sessions to explore your feelings and behaviors as well as seeking new ways of behaving. It may also include learning relaxation techniques.
• Habit reversal training - This is used specifically to treat repetitive behaviors. It involves learning how to identify when the behavior is coming on and replacing it with another behavior.
• Exposure and response prevention - This therapy includes slowly increasing exposure to what makes you anxious or worried, while avoiding your typical response (in this case, the nail biting).

Finally, some nail biters have found relief through hypnosis. Typically, you'll be taught the patient cues so your subconscious mind can make your conscious mind aware of the habit. You'll also learn how to eliminate the compulsion to bite and how to relax more in general.