Onychophagia Essay

Health professional Jerry Kennard explained to HealthCentral in 2009: Eliminating the stereotype of nail biting, appearing agitated and appearing restless – although this does exist - it may be difficult to recognise a long term anxiety sufferer. The chances are they have spent months if not years, reading people and learning to manipulate their body language and actions in order to appear more confident, laid back or sometimes uncooperative (J. Kennard, 2009). This is simply an act, created to blend in and ensure that others do not recognise their physical symptoms such as fidgeting, trembling, quick eye movements or their fast/delayed/short responses to any communication, explains author and psychologist Jerry Kennard (2009).

Onychomycosis, also known as ringworm of the nail, is a fungal infection that primarily influences either the fingernails or the toenails (though toenails are more susceptible). Such an affliction may correlate on any part of the nail, visible or not, including the nail bed, nail plate, and nail matrix, which is located behind the cuticle, and beneath the skin. Onychomycosis is far from life-threatening, being among the most common nail diseases that afflict adults. Nevertheless, it’s a fungal infection, and is therefore highly contagious. In her study of onychomycosis, dermatologist Boni Elewski commented, “…onychomycosis is all too often regarded as merely a cosmetic problem of relatively minor importance that is

the incorrect application of artificial nail structures can cause damage to the natural nail if the tip has not been fitted using the correct size as this can cause damage to the nail wall if the tip is too big and also if the tip is too small it can allow dirt and water in which will then cause nail problems such as

Poverty also influences our responses to health and illness. The level of income below that which people cannot afford a minimum, nutritionally adequate diet, suitable and secure housing, heating and hot water, and beds to sleep on.

“Pain from dental caries, infection, poorly cared teeth affect appetite and chewing ability, impacts future nutritional status” (Edelman & Mandle, 2010).

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) was once considered a rare disease, but today, it is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders present among society. OCD is described as “intrusive thoughts or images (obsessions), which increase anxiety, and by repetitive or ritualistic actions (compulsions), which decrease anxiety” (Stein, 2002). In the DSM-IV, Obsessive compulsive disorder can be diagnosed through observable behaviours or repetitive mental habits. Symptoms include; the constant washing of hands, and/or fears concerning danger to others or to self – resulting in frequent paranoia. OCD has been linked with lesions in various neurological circuits of the brain due to the consumption of dopamine agonists (for example, cocaine). In order for obsessive compulsive disorder to take clinical significance, dysfunction and distress must follow symptoms. The treatment of OCD was initially developed in the Freudian era, as psychoanalytical treatment was seen as the most effective treatment at the time for mind management. Conversely, recent empirical evidence proved otherwise. Pharmacological therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy, also known as systematic desensitization are nowadays the most prominent remedies used in treating obsessive compulsive disorder.

I am collaborating with a client on her oral habit of cheek biting. The client is aware that her habit and how its a behavior of an obsessive and compulsive reaction to stress and anxiety. My client stressed to me that she knows that her habit could eventually cause or turn into a type of oral cancer if not controlled. Mindless behaviors are called body focused repetitive behavior. My client informed me of the situations that shes in that she starts the habit, whether she is driving, doing stressful paperwork for her job, and when she is talking on the phone. She then feels the broken jagged skin which then drives her into a compulsion to want to smooth out the affected area. As a team we are attempting habit reversal therapy acceptance

struggle, forced marks on the skin, scratches or cuts, dirt under nails, what condition the

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD, is a psychiatric anxiety disorder that is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts along with repetitive behaviors. These unwanted thoughts are called obsessions and the repetitive behaviors are called compulsions. Repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, checking, counting, and cleaning are usually performed with the hope of making these obsessive thoughts go away or even preventing them. These repetitive behaviors are often referred to as ‘rituals’. People with OCD perform these rituals to help deal with the anxiety that the obsessions cause. These rituals only provide temporary relief for the person and usually end up controlling their life. About one in every fifty adults have

A bad bite makes it difficult to chew and can cause mouth and face pain if left

Pus formation can proximally separate the nail from its underlying attachment, causing elevation of the nail plate. Recurrent acute paronychia may result into chronic paronychia.

Have you ever had a habit that you know is bad but just cannot stop? Did this habit start because of anxiety, or did you learn it from your parents? Do you do it when you are bored? Chronic nail biting, also called onychophagia, affects “28% to 33% of children aged 7-10 years old, 44% of adolescents, 19% to 29% of young adults, and 5% of older adults” (Ginesi). Due to anxiety or boredom, people of every age are affected by nail biting which leads to many effects such as damage to nails and teeth, embarrassment, and the spread of illnesses.

Persistent fears that harm may come to self or a loved one, an unreasonable belief that one has a terrible illness, or an excessive need to do things correctly or perfectly, are common. Again and again, the individual experiences a disturbing thought, such as, "My hands may be contaminated--I must wash them"; "I may have left the gas on"; or "I am going to injure my child." These thoughts are intrusive, unpleasant, and produce a high degree of anxiety. Often the obsessions are of a violent or a sexual nature, or concern illness.

Nail complications: disorders affecting the nails make up around 10% of all dermatological disorders. About half of these are fungal infections, with malformed nails also quite common. Nail problems can be indicative of other underlying illnesses, with the nails often imitating overall

This paper is going to be about anxiety disorders. I am going to explain what anxiety is and the different types of anxiety disorders. The types of anxiety I am going to talk about are Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress, Panic Disorder and Social Phobia.