Dermatophagia by Jamie

Dermatophagia by Jamie - January 2016 Scholarship Essay

It was the summer of 2015 when I realized something. For a very long time, whenever I was nervous, bored, or uncomfortable; I would always go back to the same thing. This was biting the skin around my fingers. I knew it was a bad habit but I never figured that others did it too; I just thought I was odd and weird. This was until the summer of 2015 when I saw an interview of a girl with Trichotillomania. This condition is an impulse control disorder characterized by the sudden urge to pull one’s hair out. I found it very interesting, and it made me realize how similar my bad habit was to hers. I did some research and could finally name the thing that has been haunting me since I was twelve years old. Dermatophagia; a type of impulse control disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, where one bit’s ones skin, usually around their finger nail. My feeling’s all came in at once, and I was bittersweet to finally know what was wrong with me.
Ever since then I have been aware of whenever I would go back to chewing, so for my New Year’s Resolution I have decided to stop my Dermatophagia. Which will be a struggle because sometimes I don’t even realize that I’m doing it. But this New’s Year’s Resolution won’t just help me physically, but mentally in school. Whenever I’m stressed about assignment’s I would go back to my bad habit, which was annoying and frustrating especially when other’s would ask why my fingers are bleeding, or why they look like road kill. Most of my stressing out comes from college, and by kicking this bad habit in the butt, I can be a more successful and happier student.
This year will be different. I will finally reach my goal of a 4.0, I will finally reach my goal of smooth perfect fingers, and I will finally reach my goal to be happy.