Is scratching yourself with a paper clip on purpose considered self harm when you don’t bleed?

*trigger warning* Doing any sort of activities in order to purposely/deliberately harm yourself can be considered self-harm. It is often thought that it is only self-harm if there is permanent damage on your body, but that isn’t true. Scratching yourself, tugging hair, preventing an injury from healing are all forms of self-harm. Misusing alcohol or drugs, deliberately starving yourself, (anorexia nervosa) or binge eating, (bulimia nervosa) and excessively exercising are also considered self-harm by some. For some people, they harm themselves deliberately, but it does not feel like self-harm to them as they may have no long lasting physical damage such as scars, however what they are doing can still be considered self-harm

Yes, absolutely. Self harm is not about making yourself bleed per se, but anything that is damaging or harmful to you - for example burning, bruising yourself, pulling out your hair etc. Even things like drinking too much, taking drugs and engaging in risky sexual behaviour can be considered self harm. It's not the outcome that is important, it's the reason you feel the urge to hurt yourself in the first place. I'd encourage you to try and figure that out, and seek support if you can. Please don't be put off by the thoughts that your self harm isn't 'real' or 'valid' just because you don't bleed. You deserve support too.

Self harm is not about making yourself bleed, but anything that is damaging or harmful to you on purpose- for example: Scratching yourself, tugging hair, preventing an injury from healing are all forms of self-harm. Misusing alcohol or drugs, deliberately starving yourself, or binge eating, and excessive exercising are also considered self-harm by some people. It's not the outcome that is important, it's the reason you feel the urge to hurt yourself in the first place. I would say try to seek out help if you need it. There are people here who listen to your problems.