Thanks for writing this to the op. I grew up with a lot of rejection, especially my mother. I also crave some sort of affection, and its not gonna happen either. I feel in some ways I want to be childlike too. I never had a parent whos lap I could sit on, or pat my head affectionately. I probably sucked my thumb till I was five. I started smoking at 14. I thought it was mostly because I liked the smell (my dad was the only occasional hug or tickle and he smoked). But I'm thinking now that nail biting, my oldest does that, or overeating etc. is all somehow just a mouth thing that gives us some soothing. I should want to quit smoking now for sure since I'm thinking of it now like its a stinky ugly soother lol.