How I Managed to Finally Stop Myself from Biting My Nails

Summary

The author shares their personal success story of overcoming a nail-biting habit through self-inflicted pain as a deterrent.

Abstract

The article titled "How I Managed to Finally Stop Myself from Biting My Nails" details the author's struggle with chronic nail-biting and skin picking, which often left their fingers red and sore. The author reveals that they have managed to break this habit by administering a self-imposed slap whenever they catch themselves indulging in the behavior, or a pinch if in public. This method of self-punishment is described as an effective deterrent because it introduces immediate pain as a consequence for an action that brings no pleasure, thus creating a strong incentive to stop. The author emphasizes that this approach works because there is no pleasure derived from nail-biting, unlike other habits where the pleasure might outweigh the punishment.

Opinions

The author views nail-biting as a nervous habit without any element of pleasure.
Self-inflicted pain is presented as an effective form of self-punishment to deter unwanted habits like nail-biting.
The author believes in the principle that punishment can serve as a deterrent, even when self-administered, if the pain outweighs any pleasure derived from the habit.
The success of the author's method suggests a belief in behaviorism, where negative reinforcement can modify behavior.

It involves pain

If you bite your nails and want to stop, this is for you!

For many years I was a nail-biter. I never had to cut my fingernails with nail clippers because I was always biting them.

But it was worse than that. I also tended to bite the skin on my fingers. Often they would end up red and sore.

Now I think I’ve finally beaten the habit. So, how did I do it?

Every time I catch myself biting or picking at my fingers, even just a little bit, I slap myself in the face. Unless I’m out in public, then I pinch myself.

You might think this is insane, but it works!

Punishment works as a deterrent — even self-punishment. You see, biting my nails gives me no pleasure. It’s just a nervous habit I got into. So, if every time I do it I experience some self-inflicted pain, it gives me a strong incentive to stop.

It’s not as if I was to slap myself every time I pleasured myself. If the pleasure I experience is greater or equal to the pain, it’s not enough of an incentive to stop. But with nail-biting, there is no pleasure, so it’s an effective approach.