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The Psychology Behind Nail Biting

AHA Publisher — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 07:00:56 +0000

Dr. Nicola Williams, Ph.D. via News-Medical – Nail biting is a common behavior often viewed as nothing more than an annoying habit. The behavior is all too often ignored. However, nail biting can be serious and it is a misunderstood and misdiagnosed disorder. This article probes nail-biting as a medical condition, seeks to understand who is most likely to be afflicted by the distressing condition, and looks at its association with mental health conditions. Is Nail Biting Actually a Medical Condition? Nail biting is known medically as onychophagia. It is a type of self-grooming behavior involving biting and chewing the nails, including the toenails. It is a destructive habit, especially when it is repeated and exhibited in response to stressful circumstances. Nail biting can lead to serious problems such as infection and mental health conditions. And yet onychophagia currently resides as a non-official diagnostic entity. In recent years the problem has been receiving an increasing amount of scientific attention. And several articles have appeared in popular media attesting to the potential gravity of the condition if it is left untreated. Nail biting sits among other conditions such as trichotillomania (skin picking) under the umbrella of pathological grooming. Research has been carried out to try to understand whether these conditions all stem from similar underlying tendencies. A related psychiatric disorder is known as onychotillomania and is associated with chronic picking and manicuring the nails. Nail Biting and Young People Nail biting is prevalent in children and adolescents. It occurs in 20-33% of children and nearly half of teenagers ––a whopping 45% (Siddiqui et al., 2020). Although the problem is much reduced approaching adulthood, in some it does unfortunately persist. In the US, research has shown that up to one in three people meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for the presence of at least one pathological grooming behavior. This statistic is rather surprising given the figures are greater than those for depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse (Maraz, et al. 2017; Bijil et al., 1998; Offord, et al., 1996). What are the reasons behind nail biting? Research has revealed the following common reasons for the behavior (Siddiqui et al., 2020): Nervousness: Due to stress and anxiety. In this instance, nail biting is temporarily appealing due to the calming effect it has on the nervous system Emotions: Our emotional make-up is integral to why we turn to nail biting. Shyness and low self-esteem can have an effect in addition to the pain caused by highly traumatic life events such as death or divorce Perfectionism: As discussed above those with this trait exhibit a low tolerance for boredom and frustration that is alleviated by nail-biting Boredom: due to inactivity/for want of finding something better to do Imitation: Children copying adult behavior Psychosomatic: This is usually seen in aggressive families And this list brings us to the psychology of nail-biting, a behavior frequently associated with mental health conditions and, less obviously, with a particular type of personality. The Psychology of Nail Biting Mental health conditions associated with nail biting can involve severe emotional distress, depression, and anxiety. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM–5), NB is classified as an “Other specified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder” with the specification of “body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRBs),” whereas the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems ICD-10 classifies the practice as “other specified behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence” (Siddiqui et al., 2020). Common psychiatric conditions linked to nail biting in children are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. In addition, some other co-morbid disorders include major depressive disorder, tic disorder, forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, enuresis (involuntary urination), mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder and sometimes also generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. There is a classification system linked with nail biting as follows (Siddiqui et al., 2020): Nail biters who do it without realizing Nail biting to control anxiety Nail biting for the purposes of attention seeking Self-injurious nail biting to control aggression Nail biting as part of the obsessive-compulsive disorder spectrum Nail biting according to the DSM-5: other specified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder Nail biting according to the ICD-10: other specified behavioral and emotional disorders with onset usually occurring in childhood and adolescence Nail biting that is classified as Pathological and Non-pathological It is thought that nail biting may also be linked with having a perfectionist personality type. Perfectionism is associated with a low boredom threshold and a much-reduced tolerance for frustration. So, what can be done for those suffering from this all-too-common disorder? To begin with, raising awareness about the condition and its impact seems to be a good place to start. In terms of dealing with the condition, certainly in children, admonishment is completely ineffective. However, positive reinforcement and behavioral modification techniques have so far shown much promise. References Bijl, R. et al. 1998. Prevalence of psychiatric disorder in the general population: results of The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidem. Doi: 10.1007/s001270050098 Maraz, A. et al. 2017. Pathological grooming: Evidence for a single factor behind trichotillomania, skin picking and nail biting. PLoS One. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183806 Offord, D. et al. 1996. One-year prevalence of psychiatric disorder in Ontarians 15 to 64 years of age. Can J Psychiatry. Doi: 10.1177/070674379604100904 Siddiqui, J. 2020. Onychophagia (Nail Biting): an overview. Indian Journal of Mental Health. 7: 97. To read the original article click here.

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6 PRACTICAL Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to EMF Pollution

AHA Publisher — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:00:16 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Is your home environment making you sick? Cordless phones, computers, printers, fax machines, plus many other electrical devices may very well be slowly killing you. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, about 99 percent of U.S. households own a television, with the average home having three TVs and about 24 consumer electronic devices overall. This trend toward increased consumption of consumer electronics is expected to continue along with serious health consequences. Why Should You Care About EMF Pollution? Because this growing demand for more and more electronics is giving rise to a growing cloud of pollutants or “electronic smog” – floating around your home’s environment. Known as an electromagnetic field, or EMF, this indoor smog results from the large number of harmful positive ions emitted by the average household’s slew of electronics. Andrew Well, MD, has called electromagnetic pollution the most significant pollution human activity has produced this century, made all the more dangerous because it is an invisible toxin. Conscious Scientists Have a Serious Warning for Humanity Barry Trower, a former Royal Navy microwave weapons expert, said this about WiFi radiation: “We are risking the future generations of all the children in the world.” Swedish neuroscientist Ollie Johanssen, PhD has estimated, based on his research, that a full 50 percent of the world’s population will experience some symptoms of “electro hyper” symptoms by 2017. Samuel Milham, MD, MPH, a medical epidemiologist, said: “Very recently, new research is suggesting that nearly all the human plagues which emerged in the twentieth century, like common acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children, female breast cancer, malignant melanoma, and asthma, can be tied to some facet of our use of electricity. There is an urgent need for governments and individuals to take steps to minimize community and personal EMF exposures.” Every television, laptop computer, “smart” (utility) meter, or any use of wireless technology will expose your body to as much as 20 times higher frequency patterns than it would normally be used to. The problem is compounded by the added hazards of dust, bacteria, and other impurities floating around the average home’s air. The result? An unhealthy home environment robbing you of the safe, secure haven your home should be. How Is EMF Pollution Affecting My Health? As indoor air quality diminishes, your family’s emotional and physical health is impacted. Symptoms like insomnia, nervousness, and difficulty concentrating are all warning signs that positive ions exist in unhealthy concentrations in your living environment. Continued exposure to EMF smog can cause an accumulation of additional free radicals in the human body, increasing the risk of developing cancer. But there are steps you can take to protect your health and the health of your family, improving the air quality of your home and ridding it of EMF smog and other pollutants. Try These 6 Practical Ways to Reduce Your Exposure to EMF 1. Eliminate unwanted electronic devices One of the most obvious ways to lower the amount of EMF smog found in your home environment is to do an assessment of the number of electronic devices in your home and consider whether they are absolutely necessary. Improving your home’s air quality and reducing the threats to your family’s health could mean making a few lifestyle changes. The payoff, however, can be worth it. 2. Make use of Himalayan salt lamps High-quality Himalayan salt lamps are made from pure, natural Himalayan salt. As they warm, these lamps serve as natural room ionizers, emitting negative ions into the surrounding environment that effectively bind with all the excess positive ions, reducing EMFs, killing bacteria, and purifying the air. Be sure to purchase your lamp from a reputable company. 3. Distance yourself from the dangers of microwave radiation If you have a cordless phone – throw it away. Many studies suggest that cordless phones are more dangerous to use than cell phones. Use a corded phone instead – it’s much safer. When using a laptop or iPad – don’t place it on your lap. Long-term exposure to EMF pollution has been associated with reproductive and neurological disorders. And, by all means, don’t carry a cell phone against the body or place it on your head. 4. Utilize shielding The important thing to remember before investing in shielding is that you want to ensure the shielding material is less harmful to you and your family than the EMF exposure. In most instances, this will be the case, but be sure you understand the potential hazards of a particular shield before installing it. Performing an EMF survey first can help you determine where to invest in shielding. And, of course, proper testing before (and after) installing shielding material and devices will ensure a successful outcome. 5. Reduce static electricity There are already plenty of reasons to buy clothing and household linens made of natural fibers, like organic cotton and wool, rather than man-made synthetics, but you can add reducing exposure to static electricity to the list. Static electricity can be particularly harmful to people who are already EMF-sensitive. Remember to change out all bedding for natural fiber fabrics as well. 6. Turn off unused circuits Even when electronics are unplugged, electrical wiring can act like a broadcasting antenna for the power grid. By installing demand switches, you effectively turn these circuits off when they are not drawing power, giving your body a break. When demand switches cannot be installed, consider turning unused circuits off, particularly at night when much less electricity is needed. As a final note, to reduce the negative effects of EMF exposure, connect yourself to the Earth. What does that mean? Simply click this link and learn more about “Earthing.” Sources for this article include: NIH.gov EMFanalysis.com Safespaceprotection.com To read the original article click here.

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Depression Is Prevalent During Menopause, Confirms Study

AHA Publisher — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 07:00:10 +0000

The North American Menopause Society via News-Medical Net – Depression has been shown to be prevalent during menopause, affecting as many as 70% of women transitioning into menopause. A new study not only confirms the high prevalence of depression but also the greatest risk factors for it in postmenopausal women, as well as any relationships with anxiety and fear of death. Study results are published online today in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS). With the decrease in hormone production during menopause, women are more prone to a number of psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, irritability, nervousness, sadness, restlessness, memory problems, lack of confidence and concentration, and a loss of libido. At the same time, as women age, the fear of death becomes more pronounced. Depression and anxiety, which are the most common psychological problems that occur during the menopause transition, likely increase that fear. In this new study involving 485 postmenopausal Turkish women aged between 35 and 78 years, researchers sought to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women, the variables affecting it, and the levels of anxiety and fear of death. They then evaluated the relationship between all these variables and postmenopausal depression. They found that depression in postmenopausal women is a common and important health problem that requires further study. In this specific study, 41% of the participants were confirmed to experience some form of depression, although it is theorized that this rate was lower than in some previous studies because of the somewhat lower age of participants (average age, 56.3 y). In addition, the researchers identified those risk factors that most affected depression in postmenopause. These included being a widow or separated from one’s spouse, alcohol consumption, any medical history requiring continuous medication, the presence of any physical disability, physician-diagnosed mental illness, and having four or more living children. They did not, however, confirm any relationship between depression and the fear of death, although the somewhat younger age of the study group may have influenced this lack of association. Study results appear in the article “Depression, anxiety and fear of death in postmenopausal women.” “The findings of this study involving postmenopausal Turkish women are consistent with existing literature and emphasize the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in midlife women, particularly those with a history of depression or anxiety, chronic health conditions, and psychosocial factors such as major stressful life events. “Women and the clinicians who care for them need to be aware that the menopause transition is a period of vulnerability in terms of mood,” Dr. Stephanie Faubion, Medical Director, The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) To read the original article click here.

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