Onychotillomania

Ever since I can remember I have been biting my nails, and while I managed to mostly kick that habit, when I was 10 years old I removed a whole toenail and I have been picking my nails ever since. In the last couple of years I have never had pinky toenails, and have had at least one other toenail completely gone once a month. My toenails especially are down to the stubs because I just can't leave them alone. I recently started ADHD medication but it hasn't gotten helped with this at all. I currently have stick on nails on my hands, which fall off easily and stop me from picking, but I know it won't last long. What can I do to get rid of this, or at least help? Socks do nothing as I can somehow pick my nails through them, and I can't wear shoes constantly. At a loss, any suggestions welcome. Also glad to have just found a community.

#Onychotillomania

So I’ve been ‘trimming’ my toenails by tearing off the protruding piece manually for years. Then I had a situation where my big toenails started digging into my toe. The nails were surgically removed and all was good, until I started not only ‘trimming’ my toenails, but needing to remove any roughness, sharp piece of toenail or the entire toenail. I’ve been pulling off my toenails for years now, feeling shame and embarrassment every time. Feeling like a solitary whack job masochist!
It became too much and I wanted to see if there was a medical diagnosis and I came across this group. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a relief it was to not only discover my compulsion had a name, but also find there are many others like me, eager to tear off a toenail, dig deep into the toe to get that last little piece of toenails, not be bothered by all the blood and fail to recognize the pain of tearing off a toenail. It seems there are several drivers but mine is a need to remove any malformed toenails . My nails have to be short and not have squared, sharp corners, anything I do, my legs beat me to it

#Onychotillomania

#Onychotillomania I posted on here a while ago about this, and just want to say it was going well for a while...no nail picking... but the last couple weeks it's coming back a little at a time. I feel the cold and winter have something to do with it.

This page has been so helpful. I've always had this and swore no one would understand what I was talking about.  The few people I have mentioned it to over the years...and it's been a very small few because I find it an awful habit to have and get embarrassed and saddened by it...never really seemed to get it.  But the comments and topics here have.  I came across the name dermatillamania a while back and thought that was it, but never really found many thoughts about it.  I like "Onychotillomania" better, there seems to be more info out there about it.  I've been able to settle on the fact that it is actually a manic state, and that it's awful and must be stopped!  I think the problems do run much deeper--anxiety, depression, delusional, self loathing,...not that it's definitely any or all of those, but it is a form of self mutilation.  Our nails are meant to protect us and destroying or tearing down what protects us is symbolic somehow and physically harmful.

#Onychotillomania

When I was younger I would always pick my nails and always thought it was a habit. Yes occasionali when I was younger they will blead a bit but I always thought it was just a habit. I have tried to break it. I do it subconsciously not realizing I’m picking at my nails and that happened a little over a week ago when I pulled my whole pinky toe nail off. I have also destroyed more of my toenails but pinky was the whole nail. #Onychotillomania

Onychotillomania is a compulsive disorder that causes an uncontrollable urge to pull out the nails on your fingers/toes or severely damage them. I have been suffering for over 4 years. It is NOT just nail bitting! When people point out my fingers I feel horrible and very embarrassed. It makes me want to get rid of my nails more. It is not to be taken lightly. Just because you are struggling doesn’t mean you are shameful. You are worth the same, pretty nails or not!