Maybe it is both, but have you ever considered talking to a mental health professional, even your GP for referral?
I notice my husband does things or has habits and doesn't even realize it anymore, but in his case it may be unnoticed by him cause apparently he isn't causing pain to himself, but he constantly strokes his face, and bites the inside of his mouth, looks like he is frowning as he twists his face, he didn't realize till he saw himself on one of his tapes he made and was sitting off to the side, he also goes around snorting and has done it so much we tell him to blow his nose, but again he doesn't even realize it anymore.
So yes, this can be a habit, OCD and SI? I am not sure if it is SI but then I am not too much into that disorder, haven't learned enough about it to say if you have a form of SI.
The best way is like I mentioned, talk to a professional about it, there are ways of learning distraction type exercises with the help of a therapist that can be of help. I forgot to mention, when my husband is nervous, I can tell when I see him twirling his hair, the way a toddler might do when they are scared or feel insecure when their mom leaves to go somewhere. If your breard stroking/pulling hairs seem to be during stress, you may be able to find out if there is a specific thing that is stressing you and then if you see a therapist they may be able to help you short circuit the pattern, again I wish you luck and drop by and share what comes of this, welcome to the forums

Take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON
<div class="foot">(Edited by darkeyes on 07/22/04 10:49 AM.)</div>