For many people, nail biting is an everyday occurrence. It happens while watching TV, studying, working, or even unconsciously. It is a gesture that is often minimized and labeled as a "weirdness" or a "nervous habit." However, when this behavior becomes repetitive, intense, and difficult to stop, it is no longer just a passing habit. In the medical field, it has a specific name: onychophagia .
Onychophagia is the act of biting one's nails repeatedly and, in many cases, compulsively. It is not always related to boredom, as is commonly believed. Several specialists include it in the category of body- centered repetitive behaviors , a group that also includes skin-biting or hair-pulling. These actions often occur as a way of managing emotional states that generate tension.
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