Does scratching count as self harm if I don't bleed?

In clinical psychology, an act is considered self-harm if (a) the person deliberately inflicts tissue damage to his/her own body, and (b) the action is used as a coping mechanism to regulate either negative intrapersonal (anger, dysphoria, feelings of numbness or dissociation, etc.) or interpersonal experiences (seeking attention or comfort, or trying to keep others at a distance). Under this definition, many acts can be considered self-harm, not simply cutting or scratching until blood is drawn, but also scratches that simply leave a mark, pinching, hitting, burning, etc. It's not as much about what you do but why you do it, that will define whether the behaviour is self-harm (referred to as "non-suicidal self-injury" in clinical and research settings).

Self harm is defined as anything you do, physical or emotional, that intentionally causes you harm. And, yes, scratches are harming yourself. I do NOT vouch for self harming, but I do vouch for other neutral coping skills for depression and anxiety. Things like holding an ice cube in your hand can simulate the same feeling you get from self harm. And, I've drawn cool designs on my arms in the past to keep myself from cutting. There are tons of neutral and positive coping skills to try, and cutting is not one of them.

Yes it does because you are deliberately hurting yourself. Please don't selfharm. Message me if you need to chat xxx

Self-harm is anything that causes you harm. Most people think of making yourself bleed and don't really take you seriously when you say you hit yourself or you scratch yourself. It doesn't have to leave a permanent mark. If you ask any psychologist, they will tell you that self-harm is exactly that; harming yourself. If you're in doubt, make sure you see a competent doctor. I've had some that come from the older generation and aren't up to date with new methods, issues and scientific findings. If you are indeed scratching yourself on a daily basis, I would strongly urge you to see a professional for some advice. Don't worry, they very rarely lock people away for self harming and they can't force you to take drugs either. That's your choice. I know because I've been told all this by a professional myself. Hope this helps. =)

Self harm is just what it sounds like, and scratching purposely, even if it doesn't do much damage, is still harming yourself. Self harm includes cutting, burning, hair pulling and/or eating, picking (to pick at your skin or scabs), and hitting yourself. The only way I wouldn't consider what you do as self harm is it you only do it when you're scratching an itch. I started scratching when I was 11 and which led me to self-harm. I recommend you to stop before it becomes very serious. Take care of yourself, you are beautiful

Yes, I believe it does count as self harm, as you are still hurting yourself even if you don't bleed.

Self harm can take place in many forms, it doesn`t have to just be cutting or bleeding. It can be bruising, burning, self-neglect, scratching and many other things.

Yes, it diffidently counts; any intended harm to yourself is self harm. Burning, punching, pinching, scratching or putting yourself in harmful situation and subjecting youse of to unhealthy habitués with the intention of deteriorating yourself is self harm.

In my personal experience I think it does. Unless that scratching came about as an unexpected accident such as perhaps an accidental scratch from a sharp tool or friend or animal then it is self harm. Many people, myself inclusive in the beginning used to think that scratches that didn't draw blood were not self harm, it was just something to do to distract myself. But then I realized that the thoughts that led me to do that were not healthy, surely one does not scratch themselves for injury as though they were scratching a mere itch. Its a way to feel a different pain from what is aching in our sub-conscious although it doesn't led to the same scars as those that bleed. Talk to someone, maybe even on here - Let it out and free yourself from what's anchoring you towards self harm

Yes, it does dear. I'm sorry, I used to scratch all the time. Try rubbing with your knuckles instead.

Yes it still counts,you're causing harm to your body,whether it bleeds or not.......................

I used to scratch all the time when I got anxious, it soon turned into cutting myself, it does count, but not to the degree that most doctors worry about. Try and find what triggers scratching and find something else to do with your hands during the trigger.

Yes. It is counted as self harm. Any form or way that you could hurt yourself, intentionally, is self harm. It doesn't really matter whether you bleed or you don't.

Since you're doing it on purpose and you're probably hurting your body with a reason, it does count.

The point of self-harm is not bleeding or bruising yourself... the whole idea is about hurting yourself. I think it does count, the fact that you need to feel pain... You're beautiful, keep that in mind.

I am by no means a professional, or know what the definite psychological definition of self-harm. Although, I believe that self-harm to me means anything that causing a person harm. This does not have to be physical, I believe that self-harm can also be emotional.

Yes. When you speak of the word SELF HARM, it means doing things that may not be helpful or doing things that re bound to hurt your body and yourself. Even though you did not bleed, still it is a way of harming yourself. It is a negative act to be done in your body.

Yes, everything bad you do to yourself is titled as self harm. Every kind of injury you do to yourself. Please don't hurt yourself, darling. I'm here for you.

To be honest, any way of hurting yourself on purpose is self harm. No matter if it's scratching, burning, hair pulling, cutting, picking at scabs, just really any kind of harm you inflict on yourself.

If you're scratching you meaning to cause yourself physical pain then yes it still counts. Burning is considered self harming and that doesn't make you bleed. Doing anything to yourself by PURPOSELY causing physical pain is considered self harming, even if you aren't bleeding.

Yes it does. Self harm is harming your body purposely, it doesn't have to bleed or not. People hit themselves and punch walls and they don't bleed and that's still self harm and so is scratching

If you trying to harm yourself in any way, bleeding or not, yes it is self harm. Please talk to any of us to seek help.

Scratching can be a form of self-harm even if you don't bleed. Any time you deliberately harm yourself as a way to cope with emotional pain is considered self-harm.

I feel as though it depends... Like what us makong you scratch? What effect does it have on you ? How do you feel when do it ?.... But yes it can be a form of self harm. At least I believe so.

if the end result is to cause harm to your self, it doesn't matter whether you bleed or not. It is considered self harm

Technically, yes. If you feel hurt while you're scratching yourself, it is considered self harm, even if you do not bleed

Yes it counts if you did that intentionally. It means that you tries to do self harm. But if your intention was not harming yourself then it's not.

To me, scratching does count as self harm because is a way of relieving stress (using your body) in a way not accepted as natural. The skin gets damaged by doing it no matter that goes unnoticed.

It can become self harm because of wanting to get that feeling of the first time scratching and then it gets worse. If you scratch and think about self harm then it isn't safe.

Self harm is when one intentionally hurts themselves, so yes it is. That being said however I think the severity of it is key here. Though not advised a few minor scratches may not prove harmful, but if you are scratching to the point that you are damaging the skin over a large area it may cause more severe damage. The skin could become infected or you may develop a bad habit that could escalate to something like cutting. To sum up yes it is self harm.