Autism and finger-biting

Post Reply New Topic

i often bite my fingers everyday, specifically the bits of skin near my nails because it is a bad habit f mine, more of a stim out of boredom and stuff.

Same problem??

Yes. Very badly. So badly in fact, that I've broken one of my front teeth almost in half due to years of doing that. I make myself bleed often and have to stop myself. I've gotten better since I broke the tooth, but I'm still bad at it. I also bite my nails badly too though. I just can't stop myself.

I do that, although less now then I used to. I'm trying to replace it with other things.

Yes here as well. It only very rarely gets to the bleeding stage, but it seems to be an essential part of my thinking process. Trying to fight it is useless and counter-productive. I'm just conscious of not injuring myself in any serious way.

Like what?

Rocking back and forth. It may not be perfect but it's better then some of the things it replaces.

Wouldn't work for me. I'd need something to occupy my hands and/or mouth. I did it less when I was a smoker. I was a heavy smoker because of that. I'd rather bite my nails/fingers.

I bite my hands and fingers when I am scared, nervous, frustrated, angry etc.

Yes, used to do this alot, however the skin biting i have somewhat managed to stop( edit: as i just caught myself doing it! damn, ok not stop but limit! lol), however the nail biting is something i dont think i can ever stop. only ever had them cut once as a baby and have bitten them ever since

Last edited by Uncle on 19 May 2016, 10:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

I bite my fingernails, and I bite the skin around the nails.

It's a bad habit--because I hurt myself unnecessarily. I'm a data-entry typist--so it affects me quite a bit.

I often bite my fingernails in a sporadic manner.

Sorry if this is too tangential, but it is finger-related. Did any of you have alternatives to sucking your thumb as a kid? I used to suck on my middle and ring finger, never my thumb. I just wondered if that was common here.

I always picked my fingernails as a kid. I didn't bite them.

Yes, nails and all the skin around the nails, very badly, always have. I used to get scolded for it as a child but I couldn't stop.