Many years ago, when I was a kid growing up in South Florida, I used to bite the skin off of the palms of my hands. Obviously, I was the subject of ridicule from kids in school.
My mom took me to a child psychiatrist, who asked me to draw pictures of my family members, friends, house, church and school, as well as other things.
It wasn't surprising at all, given that my dad was a serious alcoholic and that my parents fought (sometimes with knives and mayonnaise jars!) constantly. Home life was hell.
In third or fourth grade, i made the decision to quit biting the skin off my hands. I remember telling my mom, who seemed pleased with my resolution.
But....i started biting my finger nails. In 1991, a military psychiatrist put me on Anafranil, which turned my life around. No longer did i bite my fingernails and i found tremendous relief from my OCD.
Nowadays, I take another medicine, which works just as well as Anafranil, but doesn't have the side effects. But i bite my nails like never before--down to the cuticle.
My wife says I'm normal (I believe that), but i just can't seem to give up the habit. I see a psychiatrist every 3 to 4 months, when she checks my "psychological vital signs" and I see a T every month or so. Frankly, i feel fine, but this is one habit i struggle with.
Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks.