Nail biting is a common type of adjustment disorder in children. It is a habit disorder seen in 30% of children and 45% of adolescents. It is more common in children over the age of 4 who have emotional deficiencies and often indicates that the child feels insecure.
Sibling jealousy, inability to express emotions, an oppressive and authoritarian family attitude, being scolded and constantly criticized, not receiving enough attention and love. and intense anxiety are among the main causes of nail biting.
Parents' relationships with each other and their attitudes towards the child play an important role in the formation of this behavior, because parental conflicts and oppressive or protective approaches towards the child are the leading causes of this behavior.
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For example, a child who witnesses his parents fighting experiences intense stress and may not feel safe, so the child may try to cope with stress by biting his nails. In addition, the overprotective and anxious attitude of the parent may create a feeling of insecurity in the child, so after a while the child may try to get rid of the transferred anxiety by biting his nails.
In addition, sibling jealousy, which is seen with the parent's fair approach among his children, may also push the child into nail-biting behavior. The child who is exposed to criticism every time he makes a mistake feels useless and worthless, and the thought of "I will not succeed" in something he will do can create a feeling of insecurity in the child. Likewise, the attitude of an oppressive family may create a feeling of insecurity in the child, so the child may try to relieve himself by resorting to nail-biting behavior.
If the child bites nails under the age of 4, the reason for this behavior may generally be due to imitation, because this is due to the child's developmental period. Children ages 6 and up learn through modeling. If any member of the family exhibits nail-biting behavior, this may not go unnoticed by the child, and the child may repeat that behavior in a short time. If precautions are not taken for repeated behavior, this repeated behavior may turn into a habit over time.
My suggestion to families; If the child starts biting his nails due to imitation, this behavior of the child should be ignored and his attention should be directed to another area.
If the person who makes this behavior a habit is one of the parents, precautions should be taken first in this regard. In other words, as long as there is an adult showing nail-biting behavior in the environment, it is likely that the child will also show this behavior.
If the reason for the behavior is psychological; Research should be done on this issue to see if there is pressure, critical environment, indifference and lack of love in the family.
The most effective method that the family can apply to the child in this process in case of repetition of behavior is to "ignore" the problem behavior.
The family does not scold the child. The child should definitely avoid using threatening or punishing methods, because these coercive methods do not discourage the child from behavior, but may instead cause other behavioral disorders.
The family should keep the child away from anxious approaches and environments, and should be able to spend quality and enjoyable time with the child.
Instead of warning the child when nail biting behavior repeats, the child should be kept busy with what interests him.
It should not be forgotten that it is extremely important to identify the main problem that causes nail biting behavior.
The family that has difficulty in identifying the main problem should seek help from a specialist without delay.
Before this behavior turns into a habit disorder, it should be prevented from being late in treatment by reaching the source of the problem in cooperation with the child therapist.
Due to its deterrent properties, the "bitter liquid" purchased from the pharmacy can be applied regularly around the nails, or picks attached to the fingertips can be tried for a while. However, it should be known that superficial solutions will not provide permanent results.
Because nail biting is a reflected behavior. Superficial solutions will not work without reaching the root cause of the problem.
Cutting the nails regularly before they grow and keeping the hands moist with creams frequently will help this process.
As a final word, it should not be forgotten that the child regains normal behavior. It is possible with the family's awareness and healthy steps taken in this regard. The most effective solution to children's problems is peace within the family.
Hoping there will be more peaceful and happy families.
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