Is Biting Nails a Sign of Intelligence?

Nail-biting is quite common, but we can’t deny it’s pretty gross!. Many people have nervous habits, such as pacing or fidgeting, and while many are harmless, biting your nails when stressed or anxious puts you at risk for certain illnesses.

You may know several people who bite their nails, including yourself. Many people, especially children, have bitten their nails at some point in their lives. It's a type of body-focused repetitive behavior known clinically as onychophagia. There is a range of nail-biting. It can range from a harmless behavior on occasion to a deeply ingrained self-mutilative behavior. 

Have you ever contemplated the psychology behind biting your nails? The majority of people interpret the act as a sign of nervousness and anxiety. However, this repetitive behavior can reveal some interesting facts about you that aren't just related to your stress level:-

1. You may be a perfectionist as well as intelligent.

According to a study published in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychology, there is more to this habit than just sheer nervousness. The research suggests that those who bite their nails are more likely to be perfectionists.

To conduct the study, 48 people were asked to fill out surveys. Half of the group members were nailbiters, while the other half did not engage in any repetitive behaviors. The findings revealed that those with a disorder exhibited characteristics of organizational perfectionists, such as overworking, overplanning, and becoming easily frustrated in the absence of high levels of activity.

2. You might be suffering from stress or anxiety.

Nail-biting can sometimes be a sign of emotional or mental stress. It is more common in people who are nervous, anxious, or depressed. It's a way to deal with these emotions. You might also find yourself doing it if you're bored, hungry, or feeling insecure.

3. It can be linked with mental health conditions or psychological issues.

Nail-biting can be linked with mental health conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD) obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, not everyone who suffers from these conditions bites their nails. Biting your nails, on the other hand, does not indicate that you have a mental illness.

How to quit biting your nails:-

Many people develop this habit as children and then outgrow it as they get older. However, there are times when nail biting becomes a lifelong habit that is extremely difficult to break, and this is when you should pay attention to it.

Nail-biting won’t typically cause permanent damage. But it definitely has its downsides. People bite their nails for many reasons. So, Before attempting to break your nail-biting habit, it's a good idea to figure out what's causing you to bite your nails in the first place.

By determining what causes you to bite your nails, you can devise a strategy for avoiding these situations and developing a plan to stop. Knowing when you're prone to biting could help solve the problem.

You can try all the traditional things to stop, like wearing gloves, chewing gum, or using acrylic nails, and can also paint your nails with special nail polishes with a bitter flavor. The unpleasant taste will make you think twice about chewing.

Sometimes, nail-biting may be a symptom of a more serious psychological or emotional problem in some people. If you've tried to quit several times and the problem persists, consult a doctor.

Did you find this post interesting? Share this post with others.