Lip-biting-any Others Out Here?

[alis]

I don't have a solution but I also can relate. I actually have never thought of it along side with my anxiety because I've been doing it since I was kid since I can remember.. I thought I was the only one who did this ! I bite not only my lip but my cheeks as well and they will sometimes develop sores. I remember as a kid/young teen being scared of ever having to kiss someone because of my lip biting sores! Looking a though it now it really does make a lot of sense that it would be connected with anxiety.

Especially with anxiety the nervous system might get so over aroused that the excess energy has no where else to go but out? So in forms of lip biting, shaking/trembling or other types of picking. (Just a thought.)

 

[Freedomfighter]

So, something I've begun to notice that happens when my anxiety is acting up is that it manifests itself...

Yep, get that too whenever I am harassed about crimes I have absolutely no control over. I try to steer my thoughts away from the crime then and away from the people who are harassing innocent victims.

 

[Beemo3780]

I always carry gum around with me because I will chew on my lip when nervous. Instead now, I chew a piece of gum. I have found this stress gum that seems to help, even if it is a placebo.

 

[Glo809]

Yep, see above.

G

 

[DrCreative27]

Same. For me, lip chewing started during my divorce a couple years ago... but I have always done something similar. As a kid, I picked scabs, for example. One of my daughters pulled her hair out. It's normally intended to be self soothing...

So far I've been focusing on mindfulness, and trying to deliberately relax my whole body. But, gum or a toothpick to chew on is also a useful surrogate in a pinch.