Obsessive picking at cuticles/nails and smelling fingers

by Kara
(SC)

This is really weird, I know, and I've been doing it for years. I think part of it is related to my hands and nose being cold often, and the picking has just been a habit for years. It is finally occurring to me that I can't break the habits because they are trying to tell me something. I have a tiny clue what the issue may be, but I'd love some input.

Comments for Obsessive picking at cuticles/nails and smelling fingers

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Dear Obsessive One
by: Elle Bieling, RN, RYT, Holistic Health Coach

Without knowing a whole lot about you, I would say that some strong emotion(s) are triggering these behaviors. Simple nail biting is often triggered by boredom, anxiety, fear, or almost any emotion.

When you add in the idea that your hands and nose are cold all the time, the picture becomes more complicated.

Feeling cold has different emotional triggers - perhaps feeling the lack of warmth and love.
I would love to explore this further with you, as lifting your hand(s) to your nose and mouth for warmth seems like a comforting and self-nurturing activity, yet perhaps you feel guilty, anxious and/or embarrassed by it all. Hence the need to smell your fingers to make sure they smell OK. Does this sound true to you? If not, is there something else that comes to your mind when I offer these suggestions??

If you wish to Contact Me we can explore this further together! I am here for you if you wish!

Most warmly, Elle

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