Does scratching count as self harm if I don't bleed?

if you do it to hurt yourself - yes. if you do it unintentionally, without the goal of harming yourself, than no

Scratching does count as self harm if you are attempting to hurt yourself. If the scratching thing was a accident or you are turning to it instead of cutting, then talk to someone about to get some extra assistance.

In some cases it could be a nervous habit, If it's something you do consciously, then it could be a sign of a bigger problem.

If you hurt yourself in anyway then it does count as self harm. Even if you arent drawing blood you might still be making permanent scars and that does count as self harm so you shouldnt do it still and remember all of the people in your life that love you and dont want you to hurt yourself like this

Self harm is just what it sounds like, and scratching purposely, even if it doesn't do much damage, is still harming yourself. Self harm includes cutting, burning, hair pulling and/or eating, picking (to pick at your skin or scabs), and hitting yourself. The only way I wouldn't consider what you do as self harm is it you only do it when you're scratching an itch, but you mentioned doing it on your arms and legs, which is a pattern among people who self harm. Ask yourself, do you do this to relieve stress? Does it make you feel calm? Do you do it to feel the pain, or maybe just the rush (that "high" feeling)? These are just some of the reasons people self-injure, and if any apply to you, I urge you start looking into ways to break that habit. Some "cutters" started out with scratching, then started cutting when it wasn't enough anymore. This may or may not happen to you, but it's still not something you want to get into. Whether its just scratching, or cutting, it will eventually become a mental addiction.

yes, any form of purposely hurting yourself is a form of self harm, whether it be scratching or something else but should still be thought of the same

Scratching can count as self-harm, even if you didn't bleed. If your intention is to hurt yourself, it counts as self-harm. Scratching myself was what I did when I told myself that I wasn't going to cut anymore. I used scratching and the rubber band method to keep myself from doing anything worse. It is a great mechanism to help you stop doing something worse but it is still a form of self-harm.

Yes it does. I have developed severe scratching episodes that only in extreme circumstances escalate to bleeding. This only happens when people try to stop me. This has only been since I discovered scratching comes under self harm and I realised that scratching was something I did when upset/distressed and often did not realise until it started to hurt. The endorphin rush is often thought to be addctive and you can get that without bleeding. Self harm is a complex issue but scratching without good cause is definately on the spectrum

If it's inflicted intentionally to hurt yourself, then yes, it counts as self harm. It doesn't need to leave a mark for it to count as self harm.

As far as scratching is concerned, i think it is not counted as self harm as far as it is not intense enough to make you feel pain.

What is the purpose of labeling something self harm or not self harm? Scratching with bleeding or no bleeding is probably a way to develop control over the body in a time when that control is being violated or challenged. Developing ways to release ourselves from the extreme need for control due to trauma that do not lead to more pain would be a good thing to take on. I think this development would be more helpful than seeking more labels that could create shame and disconnect.

Yes. I believe so. Self harm is when you cause harm to yourself on purpose no matter bleeding or not. That is what it is to me at least.

Self harm is so much more than an action, you can tear yourself apart mentally just like you can with a razor blade.

Yes it does! It's trying to hurt yourself and if your trying to hurt yourself its self harm... never do it

If its purposely don't to ones self then yes it is self harm. if you do it so u can feel pain then yes its self harm regaurdless if you bleed or not.

I believe it does. Hurting yourself in any way is self harm, I used to do that and it is technically consider self harm.

Yes, it does. In my personal experience, scratching can do significant damage even if you don't end up bleeding. It can often leave scars just as much as if you harmed yourself in another way. Keep your chin up! Talk to me or any other listener if you need some help! We are all here for you. You aren't alone!

Yes. Any sort of intentional harm towards yourself is considered self harm. Please seek help if you are struggling with self harm. You deserve to be happy! Stay strong!

It world depend on your reason for doing it. Self harm tends to it used as an emotional release.. if your a bit itchy then no that wouldn't be self harm.

You don't have to bleed... the simple act of trying to do something bad to your body is self harm. Blood isn't the sign of self harm

Anything that you inflict involving pain can, in my opinion, be self harm. I feel although if you think negatively about yourself and feel low, thats self harm to your heart and brain.

Anytime you are purposefuly causing yourself pain I would classify it as self harm, regardless of whether or not you bleed. If you are harming yourself I would encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional or someone you trust to get help in dealing with whatever makes you want to harm yourself. Life is hard but we don't have to go through it alone and there are people all around you who want to help; all you have to do is ask.

Yes. Scratching does still count as self harm . There are many forms of self harm but cutting is usually the most well known hence often people don't realise they are actually self harming when they use a different method . Any form of deliberately harming / injuring yourself is considered self harm .

Yes it does count as self harm because you are inflicting yourself. Self harming comes in many forms such as scratching, biting, or pinching etc.

i Say yes if a you are doing it to intentionally hurt yourself. there are many ways of self harm and just because it doesn't bleed, doesn't mean its not intentional self harm

Any self inflicted pain is considered self harm. Instead of scratching maybe we could make a list of coping strategies

Yes because you are purposely inflicting pain on yourself. Just because you don't bleed doesn't mean that it's not self harm.

Yes, scratching does count as self harm as you are deliberately harming yourself/ causing pain to self.

Yes scratching still counts, if you are scratching to harm yourself purposefully. It is the beginning of a pain release and shame cycle.

It does. If you don't bleed doesn't mean that you don't self harm. As long as it 'hurts' you physically , it is labeled as self-harm