What Causes a 7-Year-Old Child to Frequently Bite Nails?

Question

A 7-year-old child has been frequently biting their nails at school over the past year, but not at home. This situation has been going on for some time now. What treatment methods have been tried and how effective have they been? What kind of help are you seeking?

Answer

Nail-biting and finger biting are common habitual behaviors in childhood, often related to psychological stress and emotional instability. When children feel anxious and stressed, they may use nail-biting as a way to alleviate their tension, and this behavior can gradually become a habit. Prolonged nail-biting and finger biting can lead to finger injuries or infections. Treatment for this behavior usually involves behavioral therapy, such as aversion therapy and habit correction training. The focus of habit correction training is to make children aware of the dangers of nail-biting, cultivate positive behavior habits, and enhance self-control abilities.