Scratching: is it just as bad?

So occasionally (about 5 or so times now) I scratch myself with a thumb tack. Is that as bad as cutting? I know, stupid question. I mean the principle is still the same. I never told my T. I figured I could just stop on my own but now I am not so sure. I was also pretty ashamed since I only started doing this after being in therapy. Anyway, I am seeing a new T next week and I think it would be a good idea to tell her. I feel like I would just be wasting my time and money omitting such details. I am rather scared though

Well, I certainly don't think it's as bad, but if it gives you relief and you keep it up, it will probably turn into something worse. Take care of yourself, cutting is a terrible addiction to have...

Hi - I used to self harm but stopped when I was in my early 20's. It started again after I started seeing my T.

I would agree wtih you, that the significant thing is how you are using this as a coping stragegy to deal with feelings. In my opinion the only thing that may differ is the amount of actual physical damage caused (at the moment, it can escalate).

My T knows I SI - he has never seen it and we rarely talk about it - the only time we do is if he is checking how I am doing emotionally - a sort of gauge to how well I am coping with difficult stuff.

I know it is scarey to be open with T about many things and there is often shame connected to SI, but I would agree with you to share if you can - the more our T's know the better able they are to help us.

Let us know how it goes with your new T - Soup

Its not a good thing to do! My best friend used to scratch herself with safety pins she had on her bookbag it doesn't leave as deep of scars, but it hurt her just the same!

All I know is that its something you definitely should tell your T about - I've learned that it doesn't really help if you leave stuff out!

And you should never feel ashamed of yourself for that!

This is a question I used to ask my myself, I SH through scratching with my nails and my nails are quite long, I don't think it is a bad as cutting but it is still self harm

Yeah, I know the obvious solution here would be to tell my T so I guess I will just have to work up some courage and do that. I know scratching isn't as physically damaging (although I do scratch deep enough to draw blood and I tend to scratch numerous times in the one area so it leaves a bit of a scar) but I also know it is not healthy. Thanks everyone for the support!

I scratch too. I sometimes do it with a knife....I haven't cut though. Mostly because I'm too scared to draw blood and make a scar. I work in a hospital and don't want people to think I'm crazy. That way I can blame it as i bumped into something. I agree though....not healthy. And I used to do it when I was little, and now at 27 years old....I've been going though some things and started again. My husband has started taken notice. I told him, and he is very supportive and he is going to help me find help for this. Tell someone! I feel a huge relief now that my husband knows and is not judging me.

I scratch my legs and it gets pretty bad sometimes. Does anyone else actually feel itchy which then triggers the scratching? I think that's how my mind makes it "ok to do" even though sometimes I scratch through layers of skin and draw blood. "I have to do it because I was so itchy"

I scratch as well...more like digging my nails into my skin & then later scratching the scabs. Not as bad as cutting, but SI nonetheless.