Is this self harm?

[Megson]

I don't know why this is, but sometimes when I get extremely nervous or uneasy, I dig my fingernails in the skin on my arms and sometimes scratch them up. I do it knowingly and it usually makes me feel a little better.
Depending on the situation, I might draw blood, but that's normally accidental.
Would you call this self harm? I mean, I have cut myself before, but I stopped that years ago. But I STILL do this sometimes.

[Fear]

You are physically harming your body, so I reckon you are, but over a different reaction to others. If you draw blood, or do anything that hurts, I say yes, it is. But, in a different matter.

[AppealToReason]

Yes, it is self-harm whether you draw blood or not.

[Megson]

Do you think I should try to stop? I'm not sure if that'll be easy, or even possible.
Certain things make me so nervous that I just can't help it...

[Fear]

People do different things when they are nervous. Its understandable. But, try control it.

[Dark_Desires]

Anything that u intentionaly do to hurt your self is self harm and i do the same thing as u so your not alone

[Amaryllis]

I did this during my Ana year when I was cut-free. I think yes, this would be considered self-harm. Self-harm is harming yourself. Anorexia is self-harm. Drug abuse is self-harm. So yes, nail digging is self-harm.

[love is louder]

i cut but if im really distressed i kind of claw at my face first without realising. so yes definitely self harm. and this generally hurts more than cutting for me

[Megson]

Yeah, I'm not very kind to my body when I'm really distressed... I've stopped cutting, but I guess I still hurt myself sometimes without exactly meaning to. But I'm kind of glad that I'm not the only one who does this.
It really helps calm me down though. I honestly don't think it's worth it to quit.

[xDarkAngelx]

Yeah I would still say that this is self harm.

[xktx]

you are. sorry to say. x

[Aubrie]

It may just be a nervous habit like biting your nails, but you are harming yourself. Try to stop. It could escalate.

[Megson]

It may just be a nervous habit like biting your nails, but you are harming yourself. Try to stop. It could escalate.

I would, but that's a lot easier said than done. Plus, it actually works and kind of puts my mind at ease, even if only a little bit.
I'm not convinced that quitting, or at least trying to quit, would be worth it.

[Aubrie]

I would, but that's a lot easier said than done. Plus, it actually works and kind of puts my mind at ease, even if only a little bit.
I'm not convinced that quitting, or at least trying to quit, would be worth it.

It sounds like you're already addicted to it :\ Trust me, it will most likely escalate. Just go read some of the other users' posts and see what you'll be facing. I promise you, it may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

[onedayforever]

I use to do nail digging but then that turned into cutting. I only do nail digging ant school when I get urges to cut.

[Straight7s]

Yeh you are selfharming.....

[lausonfarleyii]

i used to cut my thigh but got help

[lausonfarleyii]

im trying to help others

[lausonfarleyii]

its difficult because i used to be drepressed

[lausonfarleyii]

i love that quote

[XxEmoCheerleaderxX]

Yes it is self harming... i do the same thing... i understand how hard it is to stop... but it is worth it to stop... i still slip up everyonce in a while when i'm not paying attention...

[amscramhick]

Scratching is self harm. I've done it because I didn't want to cut and couldn't refrain from doing something with my anger and sadness.

[ImCoolBeans]

Please do not bump old threads :locked: