anyone out here self harm without knowing they do it?

like, because you do it so often, it just comes natural- so natural that you're not always aware that it's happening

i'm guilty of this a lot. i've sometimes had scars that i couldn't explain at the time, but after thinking for a while rule that it must have come from self harming

[ImNotHere]

Automatic self harm? well the only time that happens to me is if something very serious happens and I have nothing to cut with I may scratch myself or hurt myself to distract from the situation, sometimes I do not realize I am doing it but most of the time I am aware I am hurting myself.

Originally Posted by ImNotHere

Automatic self harm? well the only time that happens to me is if something very serious happens and I have nothing to cut with I may scratch myself or hurt myself to distract from the situation, sometimes I do not realize I am doing it but most of the time I am aware I am hurting myself.

honestly surprised this is not a more common problem.

hmm

[Catsarecool]

I pick at my fingers until they bleed without noticing and while this minly happens when im stressed i wouldnt really count it as self harm.

[Idiot17]

i often look at my arms and legs and i see unfamilar cuts or bruises that are fresh. i don't recall doing them but nevertheless they are their.

[smmath]

I used to scratch myself when I felt sick to take away from the feeling. Once during soccer practice I scratched myself so that bled because I wasn't do too well.

[KeepHoldingOn]

I used to wake up with scars I had no recollection of getting and it was one of the most terrifying things I have ever experienced.

[nocrzytrain62]

being aware is the only solution....I used to pick my face...scratch off a little bump until it bleed then picked the scabs until I had at least three dozen all over my face. First I became aware I was doing it and then how I felt when I was doing it then decided every time my hands went up to my face --I would sit on them--literally until the desire went away. Don't pick, no scars, don't even touch my face at all

[hayleytheherbivore]

It depends on your definition of self harm. For me, when I say self harm, I am referring to my past of cutting, bruising, and burning.

But what you're describing reminds me more of my Trichotillomania and dermotillomania which is often automatic and thoughtless. When I hairpull, I sometimes don't realize I'm doing it and it just sort of happens. The same thing can happen with the skin picking.

But self harm like cutting is more deliberate, meaning to cause pain and damage. With picking and pulling, I don't want the damage. I want the sensation and the action, but I don't mean to do it a lot of the time either.

There's a strange grey area.

[beloiseau]

My self-harm was always deliberate, I remember cutting, but after time has passed I don't remember each individual scar. I definitely pick at my cuticles or my face until they bleed automatically and almost compulsively. If there is a bump or a piece of skin out of place, it's gotta go.

[KeepHoldingOn]

Just wanted to start this with this might be triggering so read with caution.....

In my experience it can happen. My cutting got to the point where I didn't even remember doing it. There were holes in my memory, blackouts after cutting, waking up with fresh blood staining my bed. At my worst it was happening at least once a week. I learned to be mindful, able to realize when I was being triggered that badly. It took a lot of practice but eventually was able to stop them from happening. If you need someone to listen I'm here, just shoot me a pm.