What counts as SH?

Dumb question, I know and I know I'm in denial towards what I've done. I've been craving SH. I miss the feel of it and lately I've been scratching mysef and sticking myself with needles. I not sure what to do. I'm even more afraid because I don't know how to answer if my dr asks if I'm sh-ing.

Anything that you will get relief from honestly. I used to be same way. I used to look for anything to get that relief from.

- When I was about 5 I would spank myself with a flyswatter. I do count this as SI.
- Nowadays I cut or burn myself. I do count that as SI.
- Sometimes I hit myself or bang my head against this wall. I do count this as a form of SI, but I count it seperately when I do the "I haven't SIed in x time" thingy, because the htiting or headbanging is something that "just happens" in the moment while the cutting or burning, I sit down, take out my tools, use them, etc.

Hell I used to punch the doors and wall just to feel the pain in my hand.

Anything you do to purposely cause yourself pain is self harm.

Hello Ad Intra: I don't know if this will be helpful. But here's a link to a video California therapist Kati Morton did titled: "What Are Self Harm Behaviors?":



I don't know what type of doctor it is you're referring to. But if s/he's a psychiatrist, my recommendation is to be honest. Your doctor can't be of as much benefit to you as possible if you're not forthcoming with regard to what's going on with you.

Does denying myself food, severely restricting calories, count as self harm? I don't *think* I have anorexia (famous last words, I know) but I'm not doing this for any "image" reasons because I don't care what I look like. I've lost 20 pounds in last 2 months, from 160 to 140. I hope to get to 120.

I think it's my slow suicide???

Anything that harms you physically including minor scratches or slaps, interfereing with wound healing, etc., definitely counts as physical self harm.
Others things can also be self harmful behavior, even if they are not physical self harm directly-this might include any dangerous or reckless behavior, or a pattern of repeated behaviors such as being in relationships that harm you emotionally, financially, etc, driving while intoxicated, hanging out in unsafe areas when there is no need to, and so on. Sometimes these behaviors are for other reasons, but i wanted to point out that self harm is not just limited to physical.

You are completely correct. Whether it is intentionally or not realize it or not. Subconsciously you know what you're doing. I've been there and done it.

When i get mad at myself for mistakes or screwing things up or negatively affecting the lives of other people ... i will hit myself repeatedly in the head, and/or bang my head against a wall HARD ... tonight i broke a dinner plate against my head ...

I'm guessing this isn't good, huh?

Sigh ... yet more evidence I'm beyond repair.