I DO THIS TOO ugh I had stopped for about 6 months and I noticed it start back up when I had Math this term...math obviously stresses me out haha. I wish I could stop but I honestly don't think I can. Sitting here right now, I'm doing it. The only time it stops is when I chew gum.
OMG - me too! I recently went to have hypnosis with hypnotherapy in Sheffield (her name was shauna) and she cured me of it!!!!
I would really reccomend a hypnosis session or two to stop doing it. x x x
I do exactly the same thing. I am 40 years old now and have been a cheeck biter since I was very little because I seen my older brother doing it. I have tried to stop but just can't. I hate doing it and tell myself everyday that Im not going to do it today but it alwaways happens. Its a constant all day thing it seems like. I have tried wearing mouth gaurds but they are to bulky. Also I have noticed that by doing this all the time it is making wrinkles around my mouth. I hate this! If anyone knows how to stop this please tell.
thanks everyone for posting, I have bit my cheeks for as long as I can remember. I never thought it was related to anxiety. But I do have some mild anxiety sometimes. So with that said I believe we are lacking something in our diet (vitamins or minerals). Usually anxiety is related to lack of B vitamins. So with that I am going to increase my B's and see if it will help.
I also started this compulsion when I was ten. I seem to remember mimiking a girl I looked up to gingerly nibling at her lower lip during class. It progressed into a monster all my own and lasted several years. I eventually used will power to over come, not cold turkey, of course, and slowly the instances of repetition were farther and farther apart. Today I found out that I am a favorite among peers and one superior for a job promotion I want badly. I sat in my car and chewed my lip for several hours.
My philosophy on this and also SMOKING, which I am also now free of, is two part...
Buck Up and Do the WORK! There is no magical solution that is going to rid you of this other than good ole' fashioned WILL POWER! For me, I thought of how I don't want to look like a degenerate s***k either chewing in public or from the groteqsque aftermath of swelling and sores!
Don't Quit Quitting. Think about it. About how you probably beat yourself up for falling back into the undesired habit OR you say "Eh. Whatever. I can't do it." Get over these thoughts to and just sail on through the set backs.
But, that's just my opinion.
i have no remedies for this, but i too bight the skin off my lips not make them look better, but as a form of self harm, I've googled people with bad depression and anxiety tend to do this to distract themselves from what they are thinking about and doing, my lips are scared and cracked from this, i don't feel that it is something that i have to do but it does take away my bad thoughts and feelings, and helps anxiety. people have noticed but nobody has said anything, my best suggestion is to find a different habit. start with a rubber band and flick yourself in the wrist every time you think about doing it, or put lemon juice on your lips after to make them sting, maybe it will help you to realize the pain you are actually conflicting on yourself, i knew that i did this, i just had no idea i wasn't they only person with this problem.
Ok. So I bite the inside of my check ALL the time! They are all bumpy, I only chew off the skin that comes off, I don't make sores or holes in My mouth, but strangely it is odd. I'm still confused I'm doing it! I really have no idea how to remedy it, although I like doing it, it helps relieve stress, instead of smoking. -_-