[Lyric]

I don't normally exercise at all, but I did on Sunday for four hours, because I was upset.My last week was pretty rocky, and I compensated by exercising for hours, even though I was already sore. I kept going until I felt sharp pains in my lower abdomen. I tend to lash out when frustrated, and I feel like I have to get rid of the extra energy. Lately, I can't seem to quit. I had some dark thoughts lately about exercising until I was too sore to move, so that I wouldn't keep calling my ex. I was just wondering if this counts under true "self-injury". I always hear self-injury associated with cutting or hitting oneself, but never this.

[Perna]

If you ask, then it probably is. Technically, chewing one's fingernails is self injury, as is smoking, drinking too much, etc. Anything in excess that hurts you is you hurting you so self injury.

[Kiya]

... as is cheek chewing (one of my vices when I'm not consciously aware that i'm upset).
you did it to push yourself and had a dark thought around it?
=( I hope you're doing alright.

[Christina86]

Depends on your reasons for doing it I'd think. There is an "exercise addiction" where you exercise to the point where it's obsessive, and you do it until you're in pain... but it could also be self-injurious. Anything in excess can be an injury, therefore self-injury.

Self-injury is basically the intent to cause harm to yourself... if you're only in it to feel pain, then I'd say yes, it could qualify as self-injury.

Can you cut back on your exercise, or find some other way to get rid of your extra energy that wouldn't result in physical pain?