In your opinion, what counts as a problem or addiction?

[Caerulus]

In your opinion, how often would someone have to self-harm for you to class it as a problem or an addiction?
Or perhaps you think it's not how often, but for how long, or to what extent?
Idk, I just wondered what you guys thought?

[Tarannosaurus]

In my opinion any self harm is a problem. This problem can then turn into an addiction. What's classed as an addiction is tricky. If it's done on several different occasions it could be called an addiction, but there's different strengths of addictions.

[low_on_air]

I don't exactly know. Personally I don't think it matters to what extent someone does it, as also minor self harm shows an underlying problem. I guess self harm is an addiction when you start craving for it. I mean, I guess you won't get urges if you're not addicted.
Self harm itself is not the entire problem, but I think anyone who self harmed had some kind of problem in that part of their life. The self harm is a problem on itself too as soon as you get addicted to it though.

So to answer your question, I don't think you can express that in exact numbers, as it is different for everyone. I can't imagine that everyone who does it once is addicted straight away, but I personally started craving for it pretty soon.

[LouBerry]

When you do it the first time, maybe it was curiosity, or accidental, or just plain stupidity, like me. Regardless, the first time is what it is.

If you do it again after that, it's a problem. Even, the "gateway drug" of cutting, biting your lip/ nails/ fingers, until they bleed, or hitting your self, is a problem. Those little "Habits" are addictions.

[suicidalbutter]

1st time: curiosity (I think we all wonder if self harming will help with our problems, so we try i out)
2nd time: problem
3rd time (if it leads to continuing it): addiction

It's like any other addiction. You try it out, if you like it you do it again. If you love it you continue with it. Eventually you can't see yourself living without it because now it's a part of you.

[Beats]

1st time: curiosity (I think we all wonder if self harming will help with our problems, so we try i out)
2nd time: problem
3rd time (if it leads to continuing it): addiction

It's like any other addiction. You try it out, if you like it you do it again. If you love it you continue with it. Eventually you can't see yourself living without it because now it's a part of you.

I agree with this.
But I believe it's always a problem.

[ByXaz]

If you do it multiple times, it's a problem. If you do it continuously and come to depend on it, it's an addiction

[Kaytlin]

When you feel you HAVE to self-harm, that's an addiction.

[1_21Guns]

I don't think there is a way to put it in boxes as to what is classed as what because every person reacts differently to addiction and such things, but if it had to be I'd agree with this:

1st time: curiosity (I think we all wonder if self harming will help with our problems, so we try i out)
2nd time: problem
3rd time (if it leads to continuing it): addiction

It's like any other addiction. You try it out, if you like it you do it again. If you love it you continue with it. Eventually you can't see yourself living without it because now it's a part of you.

Some people can do it once however they end up doing it, then not again for months, maybe even years and one day it'll hit them to do it again, so it's not something I consider easily measured by either time or extent, just some people get hooked and after that first time, you're beyond lucky if it never comes back to haunt you.

[Fiction]

When someone cuts there is always a problem that causes them to do it. That problem can be an emotional issue or an addiction, but often both. The self-harm it's self is not the problem, but it is always indicative of an underlying problem.

When I first started self-harming it was in response to emotional problems. I'd do it when I felt down. So at this point there was no addiction. After a while I started to cut at more and more things that I wouldn't have needed to previously. Sometimes I would just want to cut for no particular reason and just do, and actually enjoy it. I believe that was an addiction.

Even after I solved my emotional problems I carried on cutting for a while because I loved the rush of it, this was me acting on pure addiction.

Basically self-harm is never the problem it is the product of a problem, addiction is then the product if self-harm, which is also a problem. Scars and damage to your body are also problems associated with self-harm, but the act of doing it isn't... Not sure that all makes sense but oh we'll :p

[Desuetude]

In my opinion any sort of self harm is a problem but that can be far from addiction.

Personally I don't count myself as being someone that's addicted to self harm. I have a problem with it and I find it incredibly hard to control an urge when I get it but I can control it and I don't have to get out of the situation I was in to self harm. For example I've never done it when I'm out, only when I've been in my own home even though I get triggered sometimes when I'm out. When addicted you can't control your urges and they overwhelm you, whereas if you're in control then I wouldn't classify it as an addiction.

People say self harm will take over you but I'm someone that's been continuously self harming for 2 years (the longest I've gone without has been about 80 days just recently although I'm sure I SH'd in the middle of that). But I think you have to make your own mind up about addiction. It's like how people gauge the depth of their cuts, someones 'deep' could be someone elses 'shallow', it's all about our own perception.

So yeah I don't see addiction as being as a case of "how long has it been going on for?" or "how deep?" but whether you're able to moderately control yourself when you get an urge.

[numbness]

i think that if someone feels that they need to experimet with it even out of curiosity then its a problem because they shoulnt have to self harm. if you have done it multiple times then it soon becomes an addiction

[JamesSuperBoy]

I think maybe there is a problem before someone self harms but Its only my opinion.

I just hope every one who does can get all the help and understanding they need.