[AnthonyDerBlaue]

So ever since I was a child I have scratched scabs off, and occasionally created new scratches by picking at any imperfections on my skin. However, I never did this because I wanted to hurt myself, but because by scratching it felt like I was making them "cleaner" or something, even though I know this stops them healing. I also find it quite relaxing to do, especially when I'm stressed and trying to focus on something.
I know I should stop this, as I now have quite a few scars and open wounds, but I always find myself absent-mindedly doing it again. So, is this self-harm, as some people have seen the scratches (sometimes had them all up my arms and hands), and said it was. At the time, I lied to them, and said that it was due to my skin being itchy, but now I think they may be right?

[nicoleflynn]

Yes, you are harming yourself. Consider getting into some counseling.hugs

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

I don't know if I would feel comfortable talking to a counsellor though (I have a lot of anxiety about talking to new people), and when I've been before I tend to lie to them/ divert the conversation, because I really find it difficult to express what I'm feeling. I only decided to stop scratching recently, as I had my hair cut short, and realised that the scratches on my face would no longer be hidden. However, like I mentioned before, I often do it when I'm not focusing or am half-asleep, and I don't know how I can stop hurting myself if I hurt myself when I can't remember not to?

[SparkyCat]

I'd say that it probably is. I've been doing that for years, and more recently it kinda flipped into intentional sh. I'd recommend working towards talking to a counsellor, but even if you can't manage that, have you perhaps got a friend which you could talk to?

All I can say is try your best to stop yourself if you catch yourself doing it and try your best to find someone to talk to. And well done for talking to us,it's a big step.

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

It probably does border on "actual" self-harm, as reluctant as I've been to admit it. There have been times where i've dug my nails into my arms deliberatly and created new scratches when i'm angry or upset, although the normal scratching has a side of obsessiveness to it. As I mentioned, I tend to scratch my skin to make it look "cleaner" or "better", even though I know it probably makes it look a lot worse.
My parents tried to stop me doing that when I was little, by saying that I would get ugly scars, and they would never go away, and sure enough I have about three permenant scars now. But I stopped scratching the scabs on my arms, and they healed up, so my parents think I have stopped, although I was just scratching my face instead. I guess I did know it was self-harm all along, as I put off cutting my hair as short as I wanted it to hide the scratches.
I have a friend who does kind of know, but I convinced her it wasn't really self-harm (and myself too), so I don't really talk to her about this...
Looking at this, I should have guessed a lot of this stems from my anxiety. It's beginning to actually make me physically uncomfortable and fidgety to focus on not scratching now, and as soon as I stop concentrating I'm going to start again. Does anyone have any immediate tips (besides talking to someone in real life, because that isn't really an option right now)?

[celtic.starlite]

The thought of talking to someone is scary. First of all, congrats to you for taking the step to talk to all of us. It is easier for many people to talk to people online because they don't know you, but it is still talking to people. You did a great job!

I wonder if you would be willing to print this thread and find a therapist and give them the paper to read?

Anxiety, from what I have been told, have read, and have experienced, is caused by living in the future and/or trying to control something you have no control over. Talk to yourself. Let yourself know that it is okay to be scared but that you need to work through the fear and you need to take care of yourself. Tell yourself that it will be okay. Then continue to do this and have a session with a therapist.

Look up therapists in your area online. Many will have email addresses listed. Copy and paste what you wrote here, the entire thing including your fear of talking to them. See what they can suggest.

These are just suggestions, what you do has to be your choice.

Be safe,

Celtic

[Beepee]

It is called dermatillomania, an anxiety disorder like hair pulling (trichotillomania).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AnthonyDerBlaue]

Would it be more useful to post in the "OCD and Tricotillomania" forum then, as that includes dermotillomania? Or is that for dermotillomania as relating to/caused by OCD, because I'm not sure that's where mine comes from.

[fearfulfrog]

new to this thread. I admin a FB group with 5000 world-wide members. I myself started scratching at a very young age. I have used some "tricks" successfully to control it. My therapist gives me silent clues in group to remind me to use a "fidget" so I stop. In one-to-one therapy she stops the conversations, draws my attention to it and we work backwards through the conversation to see if I can ID a "trigger". As this is only one of the things I am working on, it is enough for now. I am looking for other ideas to share with my FB group about things to try. My "fidgets" vary- beanie baby, rubber frog filled with sand, stress ball, soft prickly ball, etc, sometimes plastic connected toys ( they are noisy at times). I also was told to use an ice cube- a bit messy as it melts, I found a frozen orange or a small cold pack works- rubbing it in one place helps a bit. Any other suggestions would be helpful!

[ifst5]

One word. Tangles:

Therapy Tangle: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

[strugglinggirl]

Hey! I do a similar thing but by the sounds of it not so severe. It's definitely self harm. I pick scabs because I like seeing the blood come out. I have a few scars on my legs from it but my arms and face are fine. I hope you are able to get some help for it.