Self harm, not just cutting yourself, other ones

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I'm probably posting counterproductively to the OP's message, but I'm into bodypiercing and I don't see it as self-harm. I also have a tattoo, which I also don't see as self-harm, but I guess it would be if (hypothetically) it were stopping me from advancement, etc.

I got into bodypiercing when it first started to get popular in the USA. That was around 1990. I have 4 ga. rings in both nipples, and 1-inch plugs in my earlobes, and one other which would belong in the adult forum. I never thought about it as "harm", and although it's been questioned once or twice by conservative psychiatrists, it was not ever determined to be a self-destructive behavior in my case.

Just for the record, I'm happily married, and quite successful in business, and lead a very happy life that I would envy if I hadn't built it for myself. So I'm not some derelict "just pretending to be happy" either. If I had to answer a question about "WHY" I got into piercings, I'd say it's because with high-functioning autism, I'm ultra-clumsy in the social world, and the piercings with the wow-factor, direct attention away from weird body language, etc.

Charles

I agree that trichotillomania isn't self-harm. I have that, and there is no self-harm intention behind it. I used to think I just couldn't stand the feel of stubble, but then I caught myself rubbing my chin and neck soon after shaving looking for something to pull. Heh. It's a compulsion, and it annoys me.

So are you saying that there doesn't have to be a conscious intent for something to be self-harm? Because I was under the impression that people who do it, do it on purpose, knowing full well what they're doing. Is that a false impression? (Er, I just noticed this is an old thread, so anyone can answer if they want to.)

I don't understand cutting at all. I've discovered that that is the most I can say without offending someone, so I'll leave it at that. I don't like pain myself, so I certainly don't seek it out. However, when I was in school I used to pick the skin around my fingers until they were all raw and bleeding. I suppose that might count as self-harm if there doesn't have to be a conscious intent there. I know it was a "nervous habit" and I did it because I was extremely anxious.

I used to dig my fingernails into the palms of my hands or into my arms, not deep enough to cut, but enough to leave a small mark. I don't do it very often anymore, pretty much only if I'm getting really stressed out around other people, such as at a job interview. because it's hidden I can get away with it, where as I couldn't get away with some other things.

I used to burn my hands and arms on light bulbs, again not very often, but I did sometimes. I still do, but very rarely. Not enough to cause actual harm, just enough for it to hurt. I'd also burn the hair off my arms with a lighter, but that was more because I liked to watch the hairs curl as the burned then actually trying to hurt myself.

one thing I still do on a regular basis (maybe 2-3 a week) is punch myself, normally in the arms or legs. I also occasionally hit my head against the wall, though very rarely, and only if I'm getting really frustrated.

Here recently I've started turning my blanket into a punching bag and hitting that if I getting really mad/frustrated, it seems to help.

I used to pull on my hair. I would also chew my knuckles until the skin started to break. Thankfully, I've broken both of those habits.

Now I chew on the edge of my tongue and chew on the inside of my cheeks. I bite on side of my knuckles and the side of my fingers until they hurt, but I no longer cause actual damage. I bite my tongue and bite my lips enough to cause pain, but not enough to cause damage. If I have any scab, I constantly pick at it until it starts to bleed.

When quite young, I went through a phase of cutting myself with razor blades.
Don't try this at home, kids.

Later it became head-banging against a pillow.
These days - just chewing on the insides of my cheeks although I'm not sure that qualifies as self-harm.