I bit mine terribly. I swear I bit them in the womb. I tried all the icky tasting things- bit right through them.

Basically, one day I decided I was ashamed of them, embarrased and too darn old to have hands like that. So I stopped. I kept clear polish on them and carried around a soft file and buffer. When I felt a hangnail, I filed it and repainted. The first two weeks are the toughest. But once they start growing in, it gets easier. Also, I found that having a manicure- even on the nasty stubs, pushed back my cuticals and motivated me. If you can get a manicure, try it. The technicians deal with biters all the time adn can help you feel better about your hands. That's the trick.