I overeat. I talk too loud. I’m insecure. I think I snore.
But if I could change one thing about me, it might be this:
I wish I didn’t bite my nails.
Apparently, nail-biting and cuticle chewing (my preferred
method of fingertip destruction) are the most common symptoms of stress or of
an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Mine is definitely stress related – my tips
are real beauties when I’ve got nothing but happy going on.
A guy in The Netherlands claims to have developed a program to disconnect biting from emotions and stop cuticle
ripping for good. He recently opened a clinic that focuses solely on ridding
the world (or Northern Europe) of this hideous affliction.
He claims he can cure nail-biting and other members of the
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors family, which includes hair pulling, skin
picking, incessantly biting the inside of a cheek or chewing toenails. (Will a
brave commenter please step forward and confess to toenail biting?)
Treatment starts with a clear mouthpiece that makes sinking
teeth into a satisfying nugget of finger-food impossible. Plus talk therapy for
stress. And finally manicures -- or pedicures (brave commenter, I’m waiting) --
to repair the embarrassing damage.
Next time I’m in Amsterdam …
