Yes it is a form of self injury. a dangerious one at that.

There was a news documentary (I don't remember what it was called but the title had the words "the new game" in it which is why I watched it) going around here about strangling being the new "game" of chioce for some teen agers. Adults have always engaged in aphixiation games and its labeled uner sex games - B&D (bondage and Discipline)

When a person strangles theirself or their partner they experience a sort of rush kind of like anerexics and bulemics get after purging Something about the endorphins get triggered.

Many teens have picked up on the adult forms of B&D and have actually died while playing this new fad "game" because that endorphin rush comes right before passing out from lack of oxygen.

From what I have seen and heard about this it is something you should discuss with your therapist because it is a life threatening thing and you can accidentally die from playing around like this.

One of the professionals interviewed for the show around here said If it brings you comfort in doing it then it will only be a matter of time before it escalates to the point of your death. it is best to get help in stopping it just like you would if you were suffering from an eating disorder or cutting.