Nail biting in childhood is very common – it’s estimated that a third of children aged 7-10 years bite their nails and around 45% of teenagers. The Boots Web MD website today published a useful article on “How to Stop Your Child Biting their Nails” by Siobhan Harris. The feature discusses the triggers and effects and offers suggestions of how to help your child break the nail biting habit. It gives advice from Clinical Psychologist Dr Claudia Herbert of The Oxford Development Centre about possible causes and things parents can watch out for. The habit may be due to anxiety, boredom or nervousness and, if severe, could be classed as a form of obsessive compulsive disorder.
The article is on the “Children’s and Parenting Health” page. To read the complete article, click here.
