The "other forms of self harm" thread *replies could trigger*
 

This is our place to come and talk about our struggles that don't necessarily fit the "normal" criteria of self harm (cutting/burning).

Topics that can be discussed here include, but are in no way limited to...

* scratching
* hair pulling
* wound interference (picking scabs, etc)
* using anorexia and bulimia as a way to self harm
* hitting

It is my sincere hope that the creation of this thread, will help us realize that just because our struggles (with scratching, etc)
are much less talked about than cutting and burning, they are no less important.
I know from personal experience how lonely it can be to deal with this types of self harm...
sometimes it feels like you're the only one on the planet that does it... but I hope this thread will help us realize we are not alone.


Let's talk about it... and break the silence about other forms of self harm.


[Moderator Edit: Please read the following rules carefully and abide by it when posting]

That is such a great idea!
I've seen a lot of people saying how they don't feel like they deserve to post because they aren't doing it "bad enough" (i.e not cutting of burning). I used to scratch, but it excilated to cutting/burning.
Another one is choking. I got into that for a while...

Anyways... Great Idea:D

oh my god haha this is a great idea. I always feel like i dont desrve to be here because i scratch. I have a lot of issues with scratching first aid because with that i usually take off like a layer of skin and i can never figure out what to do to keep them from getting infected... Anyways really good idea

Everyone deserves to be here. (((hugs)))

P.S.
I scratch too

Hello amanda :)
i pull my eyelashes and eyebrow hairs out, like, chronically. i know there's a word for it, but i cant remember it.
don't ever start this! patches of no eyelashes are really obvious and weird looking and annoying when you want to wear eye makeup

it's "Trichotillomania"

That's a really good idea :)

Well right at the start I scratched myself.. I cut mostly now, but when I stop for long periods of time for whatever reason, I just punch brick walls or hardback books.. The only problem is it's pretty obvious & it's hard to find excuses for how you've got bleeding knuckles.

I think that is the most important thing. No one should feel like they aren't important or it's not as serious because it doesn't require stitches or something like that.

Personally, I scratch quite a lot, and walls have been known to get in my way from time to time. I also have issues with food and restrict as a means of coping, not necessarily self-harm, but probably could be classed as that too.

If it's not been mentioned in the replies, then I tend to bite myself if I get desperate. Definately a form of self harm.

that's the one. a tongue-twister if ever i saw one :tongue2:

Thanks for this thread. it never seems so severe to say 'I'm going to hit myself' as it does to say ' i'm going to cut' but the feelings behind it are just as bad and just as painful - i don't have so many scars but i have lots of bumps and grissly bits especially on my arms and broken red veins on my face - that's my reminder.
I do cut and have od'd a fair few times but my main thing is hitting and has been since i was little. It really is the thing that means the most to me - even if I cut i then have to hit to make it feel ok. and it's not just hitting - it's really hitting - the more the better - each event goes on a few days - something like everytime i walk in my room i have to do 12 hits - i've had several broken bones - and each excuse i use is alwasy beleived - i guess people could never think you could do that to yourself.

me too! i've done it since i was really little and it's weird how much of a habit it is.

i think this thread is a great idea! other forms of self-injury really aren't any less 'bad' just because the damage may be less...the mental part of it is still the same...SI is SI. a lot of times when i'm trying not to cut, i hit myself, or sometimes bite or scratch.

Couldn't have said it better myself!!! :thumbup:

^^same
I do that too and punch myself and stuff.

While I certainly support a place for members with 'other forms of self harm' to be able to get support; please try not to give any tipsharing information out in this [or in any other] threads.

Therefore, please read the following rule carefully:

I will also be adding it to the original post, so we can keep this a safe environment for all our members.

Thanks, guys!
Aimee x

this might be a silly question but do your eyelashes grow back?

i don't know if i should answer on here in case it's seen as encouragement or tip sharing or something.....
sorry.
:)

... do they? You can answer, I'm relatively sure it's not encouraging or tipsharing. I liken it to "do scars fade?"

Plus, I pluck mine all the time when I'm bored, I'd be interested to know.

[But, thank you! for being careful with the rules!]

I would imagine eyelashes grow back, I mean, they'll fall out on their own, and you don't loose all of them.

Nice thread btw, the list is kind of reassuring.

The release some people feel from purging has only been in one thread I've read as of yet, but I definatley relate to that. Different to cutting, for me. It's ...like I said, reassuring to know it's not just you.

yeah, they do grow back. people used to tell me that they wouldn't, but since i kind of pulled practically all of them out quite a few times, i know for sure now, they do grow back :P sometimes it can take a while, or they may be shorter than before for a while, but it's not permanent.