Hello:
I'm a 32 year old guy who has grown up with a very peculiar way of coping with stress, fear, anxiety, etc.

For as long as I could remember - I've been biting my knuckles - not one or two - but all of them. I bite them pretty deep so that I actually peel layers of skin off of them - and yes, they do bleed. In the winter time its awful as dry skin leads to to some very raw red knuckles. I've developed what is known in the medical community as "knucklepads' where the skin on my knuckles has been aggravated so much that it looks like I've been a pro boxer for many years or that I have old man hands at my age.

I still do this - I've tried many things to avoid doing it - which sadly had led to other substance abuse issues - which only led 'back' to this ill activity.

Has anyone heard of this peculiar self injurious habit? I really do make my knuckles bleed and find some sort of satisfaction in causing myself pain - that I'm deserving of said pain albeit as small and hidden as the injury is. Though its not hidden as I have some embarassingly ugly hands thanks to this 'issue'.

Any information or support of folks who know exactly what I'm talking about is greatly appreciated.