Picking at fingernails and hair twirling

So, lately I've been noticing this has become more and more frequent. Pretty much anytime I'm not busy with my hands, I'm picking at my nails or twirling my hair. I even twirl my hair while cooking. Gross! Considering I often pull out hair when I do it.

But I am more annoyed with the nails. So since I was a little girl I'd watch my Mom and her nail care habits. She'd trim and file and then use her thumb to smooth over the edge to make sure they were smooth. Well, I do this smoothing thing obsessively now. And more often than not, my nails aren't perfectly smooth. So the picking starts. Of course picking one nail with another nail makes both nails crooked. So back and forth I go until I either pick one smooth or get so fed up, I try the clippers and file...but then the smoothing thing comes back and it cycles all over.

Been trying to grow out my nails, but as soon as they grow weak, I start picking. It's very satisfying to pick a whole edge off as if my other finger was a clipper. Still, this is becoming really annoying and my thumb pads are getting sore because of this irresistible habit. I don't know what to do!

Anyone else suffer this?

Hair twirling, constantly. Always touching my hair, running my fingers through it, trying to pull off split ends. People have pointed out the behavior before and it's beyond embarrassing. Putting my hair up works, but then I go off focusing on some other spot.

For the nail thing, I can't relate to actually picking them off, but I have dermatillomania so I'm picking skin instead. I had to give up on long nails. It got so bad. I need nail clippers with me at school, work, in my car just in case the destructive habit came back. But it's your decision whether or not you want to give that up as well, I know it can be difficult to sacrifice something you've been working on.

Honestly, I haven't found a good solution for the picking/pulling yet, but it helps to have something to keep your hands busy like a bracelet, or there's these things called spinner rings. If you can't stop the behavior, it's always better to redirect it somewhere else!

@VanillaGhostie Sorry you have this problem too, but nice to know I'm not alone. I'm just now realizing I rub on my cuticles too a lot to look for hangnails. Been rubbing this one sore spot over and over all day. Yeah, it'd be nice to break it, but I don't know how to do it either. I mean, yeah you had a great suggestion with the fidget spinner or the likes. Maybe if I had a ring or something?? But I don't have one at the moment. I'll just try being more mindful and stop as soon as I realize what I'm doing. Can't always pay attention though. It's like my fingers have a mind of their own! Lol

It's nice to know I'm not alone either. A few years ago, when I discovered online communities for Body Focused Repetitive Disorders, I finally felt less isolated, like a relief I wasn't the only person going through this. There are some amazing blogs on Tumblr I've found full of helpful advice coming from people who have have tried just about everything.

Cuticles are brutal, especially in the winter months. My psychologist recommends cuticle oil and moisturizer to keep them nice and healthy, and cuticle clippers to take off hanging skin that might trigger the compulsive urge to pick.

My psychiatrist said biotin would do some improvement, which I've noticed because my nails feel stronger overall. But she also gave me information on NAC, an over the counter amino acid supplement that has been found to lessen the urges of BFRDs. I was on the supplement for a while and I saw an improvement. Might be worth a try. This is a quote from an article:

I hope any of this helps!!

@VanillaGhostie ah, my husband mentioned biotin just for the breakage, but i didn't want to add anything if my doctor didn't say. On the other hand, I did also recently read (from another member here) about the NAC, but thanks for the reminder. I actually used to take this, but i don't remember what for exactly and I ran out and my doctor didn't ask about it...i mean, i probably should've reminded him....I'll think about it. I'm really sick of all the medicine and vitamin/herbal supplements I'm already taking though. Sigh!

btw, I was rubbing my cuticles again right before posting here. *facepalms

Ok so I twirled my hair for 8 minutes straight tonight. I know this because I started when I stepped on the treadmill and 8 minutes later, I realized I was still doing it. Still doesn't concern me really though. If I put my hair up, I notice I don't do this. So at least I get a break.

The troubling thing is the nails and the picking of the skin around the nails. I am doing better with the nails, but the skin picking or rubbing is really bothering me at the moment. :/

Ugh! This is continuing to be a problem for me.