A 41-year-old member asked:
Could scratching count as self harm?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Humberto Quintanaanswered
Psychiatry 45 years experience
Yes: Yes, scratches count as self harming. Self harming can be anything when causing damage to your body. Whether it hurts or not. Other forms cutting, scratching, hitting, bursing.Cutting with object, biting.
4.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Cara Nixonanswered
Clinical Psychology 9 years experience
What's the goal?: There are a number of types of injury, but it's really about the purpose of the behaviors. If the intent is to harm one's self then pretty much anything can be considered.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
Is scratching myself considered a form of self harm?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Aaron Amentanswered
59 years experience
DEPENDS: A little scratch for a little itch is nothing to be bothered about. Scratching that irritates the skin or draws blood is something else. Seek out the cause of the scratching - physical or mental. Start with yr dr. Could be anything from allergies to a dissociative disorder. Check it out with those who search for the causes.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 1, 2016
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