Manias: Uncontrollable Habits
Many people struggle with mania: a type of behaviour that is frequent, recurring and disruptive. This behaviour could be biting one’s nails excessively (onychophagia), picking at one’s skin (dermatillomania), pulling out one’s hair (trichotillomania), chewing the inside of one’s cheeks or grinding one’s teeth (bruxism).
These manias, which are known as habit disorders, often result in a considerable amount of suffering. For example, people who constantly bite their nails may nibble their fingertips to the nub, creating sores that never heal. Some people pick their skin until it bleeds and have scars covering their face or legs because they pick at the tiniest imperfection with their nails, tweezers or a needle. It’s not unusual for people who suffer from the compulsion of trichotillomania to camouflage a lack of hair in certain areas with a hat or a lack of eyelashes with false eyelashes. Many people suffering from bruxism need to use a dental device to reduce premature wearing of their teeth. The physical consequences of habit disorders may embarrass those who suffer from them so much that they try to avoid social situations.
Are Habit Disorders the Same as Tic Disorders?
Habit disorders are common among people suffering from OCD and Tourette’s syndrome and share several characteristics with tic disorders.
How Are Manias Treated?
The Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tic Disorder Studies Centre offers a cognitive-behavioural approach to therapy which can help affected individuals learn to control habit disorders.
For more information, go to the following section:
Reducing and Controlling Your Tics