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The self-mutilative nature of severe Onychophagia: A comparison with self-cutting

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 11:52 authored by Wells, JH, Haines, J, Williams, CL, Brain, KL
Objective: To investigate the psychophysiological pattern associated with severe and mild onychophagia, and to compare this pattern with that demonstrated by previous research on self-cutting. Method: Comparisons between the psychophysiological responses accompanying 3 behaviours were made using a guided imagery methodology. Imagery of nail-related, skin-cutting, and neutral events were presented in 4 stages. Results: Experiment 1 distinguished participants exhibiting severe and mild onychophagia by the severity and frequency of nail-biting and by the pattern of psychophysiological response across the stages. Experiment II indicated that the change in psychophysiological arousal accompanying severe onychophagia was not as dramatic as that demonstrated for skin-cutting. The behaviour seems to be less effective in reducing tension. Conclusion: Severe onychophagia appears to manage the level of tension experienced by an individual, instead of dramatically reducing it in times of crisis. Such a process is consistent with that demonstrated in individuals with obsessive- compulsive disorder.

History

Publication title

Canadian Journal of Psychiatry

Volume

44

Pagination

40-47

ISSN

0706-7437

Department/School

School of Psychological Sciences

Publisher

Canadian Psychiatric Association

Place of publication

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Mental health

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