Habits such as thumb sucking, nail biting, trichotillomania (hair pulling), skin and acne picking, tongue thrusting and bruxism (jaw or teeth grinding) can all be treated using psychological techniques. Other problems that might be considered as addictions such as over-eating, gambling and smoking, have an element of habitual behaviour, and may be successfully treated also.
While they can have an anxiety component, habits are often maintained by the secondary gains made by the client. Such secondary gains might include comfort, something to do when bored, attention from others, a method of soothing oneself, a momentary escape. Sometimes the habits are simply mindless activities of which the client is barely aware.
Successful treatment of habits by DSA Psychologists involves treating the underlying anxiety and bringing the habitual behaviour under conscious control. In other words we help the client to become aware of the behaviour and to learn how to control it. Empowering a client is done using a variety of counselling and hypnotic techniques. Secondary gains are challenged and the client learns to find other ways to self-soothe or occupy him or herself.
The client is also supported to recognise and call upon his or her own inner resources. As self confidence increases, the habit usually diminishes.
Childhood habit disorders include bed-wetting, facial tics and sleepwalking. Hypnotherapy can assist by teaching the child to relax and find other ways to ease the underlying tension and anxiety involved in these conditions. It is important that the child is also seen by a doctor to eliminate any medical causes.
Psychologists frequently work in partnership with doctors to assist children.
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