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Does scratching with a knife, not cutting, just to feel the burn, count as self-harm?

6 Answers
Last Updated: 05/02/2022 at 4:39am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United Kingdom
Moderated by

Tanyia Hughes, Adv Dip Psy

Psychotherapist

I have been through a lot in life too, which helps me to be able to empathize with situations, thoughts and feelings that we have. Sometimes, it's not easy just being human.

Top Rated Answers
pplloveu
May 21st, 2018 9:06pm
Yea, because you are still trying to harm your self or causing harm to your self. Any type of thing that can cause harm to yourself that you do on purpose is considered self harm because you are hurting or trying to hurt the one thing that matters the most. Yourself. If you ever feel like that please just message me when ever and we can talk about it. You deserve so much better, I wish you could see that.
Anonymous
April 16th, 2018 2:32pm
yes any type of self inflicted injuries are considered self harm such as head banging, scratching, picking scabs
moonwalker27
April 17th, 2018 11:15pm
as long as it hurts you, it can be count as self harm. its not only cutting
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2019 6:43pm
In my opinion it does, lots of people doesn’t count it as self-harm. I see it as any type of harm you do to yourself is considered self-harm. Any way of trying to cause yourself pain, such as cutting, scratching, starving, punching things, etc. You don’t have to cut yourself or bleed for it to be considered self-harm, a lot of things are counted as self-harm. People all look at self-harm differently. But by looking at what the word says, “self-harm”, it’s basically any kind of harm you can do to yourself where your goal is to cause yourself any type of pain.
DanDanTheMuffinMan
March 30th, 2021 11:12am
Yes, because it hurts your body. There are easier ways to relieve stress. Coping skills or physical objects can really help. Like using a stress ring. You push it up and down your finger and it stimulates and relaxes you. I suggest looking it up! Stress balls, squishies, and fidget cubes are really good to keep on you or fidget with in your pocket.
Anonymous
May 2nd, 2022 4:39am
I wouldn’t know the answer to that. I would ask myself why I’m doing it though. What emotions am i feeling? Does it quell any emotions I’m currently feeling/ make me feel better or forget my current feeling? You know yourself best. Ask yourself and wait for your mind and body to respond. Remember to be careful, kind, and patient with yourself. From personal experience, i have ADHD, and black. This sets me up for anxiety and feeds my binge eating disorder. Going over those previous questions reminds me to come back to the current moment and analyze my body in that moment. One thing i had to learn is that logic and emotion work better as a team when your feeling with complex issues. I hope that helps.