I’m probably letting myself in for some serious innuendo, but I’m going for it anyways…
I have a serious oral fixation problem. Didn’t realize it until recently. I am constantly putting things in my mouth. I chew on pencils and pens. My nails never get a chance to get past the ends of my fingers, and when I run out of nails, my guitar calluses get chewed on instead. I pick up random things and chew on them, or just stick them in my mouth and suck on them. Pieces of plastic things, bits of paper, straws, guitar picks, and much much more. I am also pretty sure that this is a factor in my overweight-ness (is there a better word for that?), because a whole lot of the time I eat, not because I’m hungry, not because I need it to satisfy any emotional needs, but basically because I just want to have something in my mouth.
I have tried lots of stuff. I have tried ignoring it. I have tried gum. I once went through 50 pieces of bubble gum in less than 72 hours - that just makes my jaw really sore. I was halfway considering getting my tongue pierced just so I would have something in my mouth to play with! It’s hell, and I am so frustrated.
I’m wondering – does anyone have any ideas on what I can do about this? Preferably something cheap, as I am a poor college student. But I need to do something about this, as it would really be good for me to lose weight (I know this isn’t the only cause, I’m working on the others too), and I’m ruining all my pens and my fingers hurt from chewing on them. Any help or suggestions you could make would be highly appreciated!
And what the hell, go ahead, make your sexual innuendos. The fixation unfortunately (or fortunately for whatever lucky fellow gets to be my next boyfriend) does extend to that area.
Well, the bubble gum route doesn’t sound good, if it makes your jaw sore. Something to suck on, like a hard candy, would probably be better than chewing. Perhaps some kind of sugar free candy (since too much sugar would contribute to weight issues) – although I suppose that depends on how fast you would end up going through them?
Freud said that the ids of people who chew on things are fixated in the “oral” stage, when the mouth is the primary locus of pleasure and comfort. The fixation is caused by having been weaned from the breast too early. I think the solution to your problem is clear. How is your relationship with your mom?
Seriously, I think this is a cross you will have to bear in life. I have the same problem, actually. I bite my nails and chew my writing implements sometimes, but most often I just play with my lips. I roll them between my fingers. I’m doing it right now actually. It’s just a nervous habit for which there is no cure, as far as I know. Just remember, according to Freud, it could be a lot worse. You could be shoving things up your ass. Of course, maybe you’re not telling us everything.
Seriously, though, I don’t know what to suggest. I’ve turned into a compulsive eater since I quit smoking and now it seems all I do is eat and eat and eat.
– I swallow. Just find it easier than spitting it out. I dunno if that’s a bad thing or not.
It was difficult for me not to answer that one. Sorry.
I’m another one – smoking, eating, whatever. At work people bring back pens I’ve left on their desks – it’s clear which are mine since the caps are all chewed up.
I am very very glad I never started smoking. That’s a humongous no-no - many reasons, including the fact that I find it revolting and the fact that I plan to sing professionally. Bad bad.
Jawbreakers might work… I’ll have to look into that.
I tried toothpicks once… I just end up chewing them into disintegration and then I get splinters in my tongue.
Any tongue piercing would have to wait at least another year and a half until I graduate college, unfortunately. My voice teacher would slap me upside the head with a brick or something. And he’s not a nice man to begin with.
:smack: I cannot believe I actually said that about swallowing. I swear, looking at some of the other threads I’ve started (the dildo-lollipop one comes to mind immediately) it’s a wonder you guys don’t think I’m a blow-job crazed nympho. I swear that swallowing thing was an accident.
But, good news! I think I have found a possible temporary relief.
Mentholated Chapstick.
I bought it by accident, not realizing it was mentholated. My lips are on fire. That icy menthol kind of fire. I hate menthol! I really don’t want to put anything in my mouth, since my lips are burning. This may work. I don’t know. We shall see… thanks for the suggestions so far, any more would so be appreciated!
It’s hard to find something. When I was reading the OP, I was convinced you were reading my mind chica! And yeah, my bf appreciates my oral fixation.
I tried nail polish to keep myself from chewing my nails, but now I just chew the skin around my n ails. I also chew the inside of my cheeks constantly - I’m doing it right now. I also have a small weight problem for the same reason you mentioned.
Right now, candy canes seem to be working, but I need different things. If I’m using the same thing all day every day, my mouth gets bored. Yesterday I just tied my boy down and kissed him for hours. That works nicely.
Hey, as long as I’m Mr. Psychoanalysis this week, maybe you’re subconsciously attracting attention to yourself out of some repressed need for validation! Did you ever think of that? Or, maybe you’re a blowjob crazed nympho.
I kid you, AntaresJB, you know I’m a founding member of your SDMB fanclub.
I have the very same problem in the extreme. My nails are always very short, so I work on the cuticle and its really just nasty. I chew the inside of my cheeks, my lips. Its really gross, but I could never stop it. In first grade my mom painted this nasty tasing stuff on my nails in an effort to get me to stop, and that failed miserably. I’ve never been able to stop doing it. I even find that when I chew gum I’m still nibbling on the end of my fingers. If there’s a solid cure for this please post it, I’d try anything.
They don’t work either, though… Now let’s get serious here!