is scratching yourself a form of sh?
The story
i’ve been asking myself that question for a while now and i don't want to talk about that with my friends. like, i don’t do the stuff you see on tv or in movies, i’m not cutting or bleeding or anything like that. but sometimes when i get really anxious or angry or just... overwhelmed, i scratch at my arms or the back of my neck or even my legs, usually when no one’s around. i tell myself it's nothing, that it’s not serious. but then i look at my skin and it's red and sometimes raw, and i start wonderin if it does count. maybe i’m just being dramatic. or maybe i’m scared to admit that something's not okay with me. cause if i admit that, then what? do i tell someone? what if they think i’m just looking for attention? what if they don’t take me seriously cause i’m not “hurting myself the right way,” if that even makes sense.
i started doing it more during exams last year. the pressure just got to me and i felt like i was gonna explode. i didn’t even think about it at first — it was just a way to deal with the stress. dig my nails in, press hard, breathe, repeat. sometimes it helped me feel like i was in control, like i could focus my brain on that instead of everything else spinning around. but then one of my friends saw a mark on my wrist and was like “dude what happened there?” and i panicked. made up a story about my cat scratching me. i don’t even have a cat. i laughed it off, and he didn’t push, but afterward i felt so ashamed. like what the hell am i doing to myself? why can’t i just deal with life like a normal person?
it’s not like my life is that bad. i mean, i got a roof over my head, food, i’m doing ok in school, my parents are around even if we don’t talk much. but i just feel... numb half the time. and then randomly i’ll feel too much, like someone plugged my brain into an amp and cranked the volume up to 100. that’s when i start scratching. i guess it’s my way of trying to feel something real, or maybe it’s just a distraction. i don’t even know anymore. sometimes i do it and then sit there staring at the red marks, thinking “wtf is wrong with me.” other times i do it and just move on like nothing happened. like it’s normal. but it’s not, right? this can’t be normal.
i googled it one night and found people asking the same question. “is scratching yourself a form of self-harm?” and the answers weren’t super clear but most said yeah, it can be. self-harm isn’t always about blood. it’s about intention. and that kinda hit me. cause even if i’m not trying to “hurt” myself, i am trying to punish myself in a way. or escape something. or maybe both. i don’t know how to talk about it tho. i don’t even know if i want help or just someone to sit with me and say “i get it.” not fix me, not judge me, just get it. cause honestly the silence in my own head is sometimes the scariest part. i keep wondering if anyone else around me is going through this and just hiding it like i am.
so yeah, maybe scratching is a form of sh. maybe it’s not about what you’re using to hurt yourself but why you're doing it. i don’t want to keep doing this forever. i want to find a better way to cope. but for now, writing this is a start, i guess. if you're reading this and you’ve done the same thing — if you’ve ever sat in your room scratching at yourself and feeling like a freak — just know you’re not alone. i’m out here too, still figuring it out. still asking the same questions. and maybe, just maybe, that means we’re not as broken as we think.

Stories in the same category
Points of view
it's so tough when you feel overwhelmed and don't know how to handle the emotions. Scratching yourself might not be bleeding or anything drastic, but it's still something that indicates you're trying to cope with a lot. It might be a good idea to talk to someone about it, even just casually, like with a friend who you trust!!! You'd be surprised how many people might relate.
I remember having my own pile-up during finals one year. Everything just felt so insurmountable—like I was buried under a mountain of stress!!! I didn't scratch, but I found myself scribbling endlessly on paper; Honestly, venting about it all can help a lot, even if it feels awkward at first.
The marks on your skin might not seem like a big deal, but they are signs your mind's way of telling you it's feeling overwhelmed or stressed; You're not alone, and talking about it is super important, even if it feels like you're just seeking attention. People will mostly understand—even more than you think—if you reach out.
And listen, it’s not about comparing your struggles to others, we all handle things differently. Numbness or feeling too much—it's all part of being human, right? It’s good to be aware and want to change that pattern, and writing this is a really brave step! 😊 Keep reaching out and try to find healthier coping strategies; you deserve that peace of mind.
Honestly, what you're describing definitely sounds like a form of self-harm. It may not involve bleeding, but it's still about how you're coping with stress and emotion regulation. It's okay to admit that's what you're experiencing; 🤔
I used to bite my nails till they bled whenever I got overwhelmed, so I get it. It's crucial to recognize these behaviors for what they are. You're not just being dramatic. Understanding this is the first step toward finding healthier coping methods.
Talking to someone you trust can make a difference. Your concerns about attention-seeking are valid, but anyone worth their salt will understand you're just trying to deal with complex emotions. It's all part of the human condition. Keep exploring what's going on; you deserve to feel better.
Hey, I totally feel ya; you're not alone here!!! It's clear that scratching can be a way of dealing with things when life gets too loud. People often say, "Self-harm isn't always about blood," and it seems like you’re finding truth in that. Stress and anxiety are real energy vampires, and we all find ways to cope—even when it doesn’t seem to make sense. 😅
No need to worry about being “dramatic” or any of that jazz. You’re being honest about your feelings, which is super important; Sometimes coping mechanisms develop without us even realizing it, just like you mentioned with exams and stuff. The whole "feeling too much" thing is quite common, and a lot of us have those moments; Emotional regulation is tricky, no doubt.
Finding someone you can talk to might help—someone who gets it, ya know? It's not about fixing things overnight, but having someone who listens can be really grounding; You're on the right track by talking about it here, and that’s a solid start.Plus, understanding that it's about the "why" rather than the "how" opens up more opportunities for growth. Keep doing your thing and looking for ways to cope better. You're in the driver's seat, and you got this!