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Most of the time, bad habits are simply a coping strategy to deal with stress and/or boredom. Although the origins of most habit disorders are not well established or understood, associated biologic or environmental etiologic factors may exist: (1)

1. Some habits emerge from normal repetitive behaviors in infancy (example hand and thumb sucking) and are believed to represent intrinsic movement patterns generated by the developing nervous system.
2. Certain behaviors (example, nose picking, which may initially arise as a response to dry nasal membranes and nasal irritation or itching) can later develop into a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.
3. Some behaviors may start spontaneously and then may be involuntarily reinforced or maintained by other factors, such as attention.
4. Some habits are generally observed in response to strong emotions or pain like breath holding spells.
5. Some hypothesis include hereditary factors, but to date, no specific genes have been identified. (1)

Dr. Bilal Dhayni

Pediatrician

^{https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914071-overview#:~:text=Share-,Etiology,-Although%20the%20origins}