Hi, I'm wanting to find out if me scratching my scabs off my arms and sometimes on my head and sometimes biting my cheek is considered self harm,
Although it's sore, it somehow relaxes me?

[RedSun]

I think I would consider this to be self harm.
You are hurting yourself, and the reason is to self soothe by the sounds of it.
Sometimes we have to hurt ourselves, eg a diabetic injecting insulin, someone pulling out a splinter, leg waxing etc. but these things are done for a different purpose, and the pain and harm is a (usually unwanted) side effect.
So, if you're doing something and the reason is to feel pain, that's different.
Can you get some help with this? Maybe call a helpline or talk to someone you trust?

Originally Posted by Red75

I think I would consider this to be self harm.
You are hurting yourself, and the reason is to self soothe by the sounds of it.
Sometimes we have to hurt ourselves, eg a diabetic injecting insulin, someone pulling out a splinter, leg waxing etc. but these things are done for a different purpose, and the pain and harm is a (usually unwanted) side effect.
So, if you're doing something and the reason is to feel pain, that's different.
Can you get some help with this? Maybe call a helpline or talk to someone you trust?

Thanks, it actually is discusting i have mentioned it to my psychologist but he hasn't said to much just asked me about it, so I'm not too sure what he's thinking or if he's waiting for me to bring it up, im really not sure, maybe when i get the courage I will again, it's just so vile to do it but Im not really looking for pain, its the feeling of what i do i'ts almost like a warm blanket is been put over my shoulders. it sounds weird i know but im not looking for the pain that is just the afterproduct. I notice i do it anytime, i try not do it in front of people, but i definitely do it more when I'm stressed. I hate been so odd!! Thanks for your reply, its nice to be able to voice it out. Thanks i will have to bring it up again.

[gayleggg]

It could be a form of OCD. I find I scratch my head sometimes till it bleeds and when I had acne I used to pick at the scabs. I found this to be more of a compulsion than self soothing. So talk to your psychologist about it as treatment could be different depending on what is causing it. I found mine was caused by anxiety.

[RedSun]

Realme, I think you've made such an important point about looking for comfort, not pain. A lot of people SI because it gives them a reason to self care afterwards, such as cleaning the wound, bandaging etc. it's the only way they allow themselves to get comfort.
Can you find any other ways that might make you feel comforted, and try these when you get the urge to scratch and bite? Maybe a warm bath, or give yourself a hand massage with scented oils. It may provide a little bit of the comfort that you need.

[Crazy Hitch]

Yes, my personal opinion on your question is, yes, this is a form of self harm

And I can understand that you say it brings you some sense of relief. Sometimes when the pain within us is too much to handle it brings a few minutes of relief by distracting us from what is causing our heart so much pain by deflecting it on the outside. All of which is temporary, unfortunately

[dancersam23]

Originally Posted by realme7x7

Hi, I'm wanting to find out if me scratching my scabs off my arms and sometimes on my head and sometimes biting my cheek is considered self harm,
Although it's sore, it somehow relaxes me?

Anything purposefully hurting yourself is considered self harm. So to answer your question, it is a form a self harm.