Onychophagia and other body-focused repetitive behaviors ARE NOT A CHOICE! They are chronic medical conditions. It is easy for people to blame those with nail biting disorder for not being able to control their hands, but that ignores the fact that Onychophagia stems from the "fight-or-flight" nervous system, making it a naturally ingrained behavior in the body and thus not a choice. It's the body's default response to trying to get it back to "center." It's not the individuals choice to have these urges, and they cannot usually be controlled through sheer willpower. That's why management is so important.

While nail biting may provide a sense of relief or pleasure for people with Onychophagia, it is not an addiction in the traditional sense. People with Onychophagia do not compulsively bite their nails out in order to reach an altered state of consciousness, they do it because their subconscious mind is looking to self-soothe.

While nail biting may be symptomatic of another mental health condition, Onychophagia is actually considered its own disorder. That's important to know because the treatment for OCD, ADHD, and BFRBs are all different.

While Onychophagia may be lesser known than other mental health conditions, it is actually quite common. It is estimated that around 30% of the population bites their nails, which means that there are potentially millions of people who could be diagnosed with a compulsive version of it.

Onychophagia can affect people of all ages, genders, and races.

There is currently no cure for Onychophagia, but there are ways to manage the symptoms and urges. The most effective treatment options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and habit reversal training (HRT). There are also awareness smart bracelets, and online support. These resources focus on helping people learn new coping strategies for dealing with stress and other triggers that may cause them to bite their nails.