Lip-biting-any Others Out Here?

[Jen93]

So, something I've begun to notice that happens when my anxiety is acting up is that it manifests itself through me biting my lip. (One corner inside anyway.) then it starts to hurt, and then I can't stop. It's a nervous habit, kind of like nail biting, only lip biting for me only happens in extreme stress when I don't think I can vocalize what's going on in my head. (Last time I remember significant lip biting was when my grandfather died a few years ago and I was dealing with the grieving process). It's really quite embarrassing.

Does anybody have any tips on how to deal with the situation? Or been through this themselves? I'm trying to figure out why exactly I'm so super aware of it right now and it only happens like a very infrequent bad habit. I hope I'm making sense.

I'm seeing my counsellor on Friday morning. After that, I'm hoping that will alleviate some of the anxiety and in turn, lead to a reduction in lip biting.

 

[Renestel]

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

I do this along with other certain nervous bad habits when Im out in crowded public places or when Im very stressed from something such as an argument with my husband. Im glad that for you this is very infrequent and not as severe. I start biting enough that it frays the skin a little bit and then pull the skin off with my teeth and its ended up bleeding sometimes. While your therapist is the pro and will probably offer the best advice, I will tell you what Ive been trying. So just like with any other bad habit from stress or anxiety, try to keep catching yourself and stopping the behavior in that moment. In public I will stop the behavior and concentrate on the breathing techniques my therapist taught me. Indoors I have a stress ball I will grab and then I can still get some of that nervous energy out and then its not me doing something negative to myself. I also know the days I will more likely do it or just after I start to do it I exercise. Getting the anxiety out that way obviously tires your body out and youre less likely to waste energy on ticks or habits. Hope this helps or that your appt offers some good info

 

[Killashandra]

I have a little lump on the side of the inside of my mouth which near my lip which is what I bite when nervous or anxious. ..

 

[SophiaWisdom]

I wish I had a solution but I'm here to just say I relate - I pick my lip and it's a self-soothing gesture I started as a child when my CPTSD began, but I have never been able to stop. I think I do it less as an adult cuz I'm starting to deal with my anxiety and CPTSD. I've definitely pulled skin off my lip and made myself bleed.

I've had exes try to help me by gently taking my hand away. One or two even let me pick their lips to get the urge off - that didn't work I can tell you that :P. Any way, over time and with more dealing I do it ALOT less (plus I'm a germaphobe now.)

 

[LLMertens]

I chew mine and tear skin off and it hurts! I also rip my cuticles and sometimes chew nails past the quick which also hurts. I have been windering lately if this is self harmor just nervous behavior? I suppose that would depend on lots of factors.

 

[Jen93]

I have been wondering lately if this is self harm or just nervous behavior? I suppose that would depend on lots of factors.

I think it would depend mainly on if it were intentional or not. That question did cross my mind too; but I determined that mine isn't intentional; it's just a habit. But otherwise it might be considered a form of self harm maybe.

 

[Chloe44]

It surprised me to see there are other people out there that do this. I've never been able to stop, but I don't bite my lip, I chew on the inside of my mouth I actually have to push my hand into my cheek to get at the skin inside. Sometimes it gets so bad I can't even talk right. When my mouth tries to heal itself overnight, the next day I scrape the dead skin out and start all over again. I also spend a huge amount of time quietly in the bathroom picking my face back and shoulders, all the places I can reach in those areas. I also suffer from CPTSD and it's just unbearable at times. I've been with different Psychiatrists and with the same Psychotherapist for over 10 years and to be honest, I feel like I'm getting worse the older I get! And what I've posted here is only a tiny bit of what I go through on a daily basis.
So for those of you that can find some relief, I'm up for any suggestions. You're not alone.
But I feel like I am.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Have you heard of the term body focused repetitive behaviours. Here's a link https://www.adaa.org/sites/default/files/Rego 194.pdf

I do this too and bite my cuticles until they bleed sometimes. It's like there's a rag nail and I want to fix it but I make it worse. It's not to harm it's grooming gone bad sort of. It started as to fix things and has become habitual and I do things without even noticing until I taste blood in my mouth because I've made my cheek bleed.

 

[Renestel]

@NoWhereKnowWhere -

Thanks for that link-
I also do nail picking to where I have nail clippers around so I clip instead of ripping. I pull my hair to the point I need haircuts way more often because it forces split ends. I even sometimes do the eyebrow pulling out like it mentions:banghead: . And people wonder why some of us turn to drinking and drugs to calm the hell down. I absolutely agree that it starts out as grooming and then gets out of hand.

 

[dulcia]

I bite my cuticles. Having gum to chop on helps me. Big piece, sugar free. Keep a case in my car and in my bag.

 

[TXbandit]

I've never been able to stop, but I don't bite my lip, I chew on the inside of my mouth I actually have to push my hand into my cheek to get at the skin inside. Sometimes it gets so bad I can't even talk right. When my mouth tries to heal itself overnight, the next day I scrape the dead skin out and start all over again. I also spend a huge amount of time quietly in the bathroom picking my face back and shoulders, all the places I can reach in those areas.

I do this as well. I lightly pop myself with the rubber band I wear on my arm when I catch my self doing it. Most of the time I am too zoned to notice I am doing it though.

 

[flagmom]

@NoWhereKnowWhere -

Thanks for that link-
I also do nail picking to where I have...

All of the above - behaviors. I struggle daily. Yes, it is subconscious self-harm. Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists... haven't been able to help. They want to throw meds, meds, meds at the problems. The American way. Big pharma rules our country. I agree that sugar-free gum helps sometimes. And pulling weeds in the garden :)