Sorry but I think that there having to be a mark for an hour for it to be self harm is a load of crap. Many people self harm by doing things like hitting themselves that leaves no marks, and yet they are still self harming.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
To me, snapping the band is self harm. It's self inflicted pain.
However holding ice is not - when I hold ice instead of self-harming, it's to feel something. It doesn't hurt me, it's just extremely cold and it's a very sharp/real sensation.
Life is about love, last minutes and lost evenings,
About fire in our bellies and furtive little feelings,
And the aching amplitudes that set our needles all a-flickering,
And help us with remembering that the only thing that's left to do is live.
Perhaps its self harm, just not self injury as such. Just in a less traditional sense, and in a way that's unlikely to case damage to your body. While its not taking away the psychological/pain aspect, it is still safer to hold ice/snap a rubber band on many levels.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
Perhaps its self harm, just not self injury as such. Just in a less traditional sense, and in a way that's unlikely to case damage to your body. While its not taking away the psychological/pain aspect, it is still safer to hold ice/snap a rubber band on many levels.
I agree with this in theory but personally I feel like band snapping is still a slip up, because I am deliberately causing pain to deal with emotions.
Aside from that, it is a much safer way, and it can help people in the process of quitting. It's much harder to go from constantly hurting yourself in a way that is going to damage your body to ...no harm at all, ever. If the elastic band helps someone eventually quit, then it's a good thing in my opinion.
I suppose this is another one of those things that is different for everyone.
Life is about love, last minutes and lost evenings,
About fire in our bellies and furtive little feelings,
And the aching amplitudes that set our needles all a-flickering,
And help us with remembering that the only thing that's left to do is live.
I define self harm as something you do intentionally to hurt yourself. I consider snapping a rubber band, or holding a piece of ice (if done to intentionally hurt yourself, no matter how minor the hurt) self harm. Maybe this is because my method of self harm doesnt leave a mark, but idk, that's just what I think. Btw, snapping a rubber band can leave a mark... I hope this helps. =)?
"Wish that I could cry,
Fall apon my knees,
Find a way to lie,
About the home I'll never see"
Superman by Five For Fighting
I think that things like napping an elastic band, holding ice ect, still count as self harm but they are a less sever form. So when you're quitting you can have and alternative that isn't as damaging as cutting or burning so you can have more of a transition sort of thing.. kinda like when people quit smoking and use a nicotine patch..
Just my opinion, hope that makes sense..
Thankyou everyone so much for your replies, they were all very helpful. As someone said maybe everyone just thinks differently and it depends on the person. But i now understand much more, if it hurts i guess it is self harm but it may be a less severe form of self harm. The noctine thing also seems very relevent and is probably about the same. Thankyou. Also i know it can sometimes leave a mark.... i guess i was referring to stuff that doesnt hurt as much or leave a mark besides, OD and punching etc...sorry. Thankyou everyone for your replies, i am so grateful :)
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said "I just don't care"?
This is a very tough question. Glad you asked it. As to whether snapping a rubber band is SI, I am not sure. I've tried it and it did help, although it did eventually leave my wrist red and bruised. As for the ice cubes, I definately don't think that's SI. Oh, I do believe that there has to be marks for something to be self-harm.
Last edited by Celticroots : 31-08-2010 at 03:08 AM.
Reason: more info
it is self harm. its just a form that dosen't have any long term effects
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
