cutting=scratches?

Question

ive been going thru an especially bad bout of depression and last night i kept thinking about cutting myself, but i didnt b/c i dont like blood...then today i took a safety pin and ran it over my arms so that it left red scratches.....is this cutting? or do you have to break the skin for it to be considered cutting?

Answer 1

Personally, my inclination is to call it cutting. But whatever you call it, it's definitely a form of self injury, and is psychologically the same as the "normal" type of cutting that does draw blood. Even though you when you think about cutting you probably think of people cutting so deep they need stitches, carving words, and things on that level, the majority of cutters make little cuts that are an average of 1-2 inches long and 2-3 mm deep. Cuts that size don't bleed very much, and barely leave a visible scar. Scratches that don't break the skin aren't dramatically different than that.

I cut myself, and the first few times I did it it was just scratches. Eventually I got a sharper object, and started cutting deep enough to draw blood. At this point I don't think that anyone would argue that what I do isn't cutting, but not every cut draws blood. Lots of times I don't press as hard and just leave a scratch. Most of the time I'll make a few cuts that do bleed, but not always.

Cutting is addictive (I'd know - I've been doing it for three years now). You come to rely on it, even though it doesn't really work, and it becomes really hard to stop. Stop now, while you still can. Talk to your parents or another adult you trust and get help. Counseling and medication can help with the depression so you don't feel the need to cut again.

Answer 2

to cut you have to cut through the skin and cause it to bleed. Being a medic i would advise not to cut because you have a lot of veins and arteries in your wrists. If you hit those thats not good because they will squirt blood fast causing you to be in a bad situation. You should find other ways to deal with your depression like talking with your friends or with your family.

Answer 3

I don't see why you're trying to make a distinction between cutting and scratches, I am not familiar with self-mutilation but I just think you're ignoring the point of you trying to hurt yourself. Regardless of your method-you need to talk to someone and get help before it gets progressively worse! Good luck!

Answer 4

Stop doing that....it isn't technically cutting, but as you become immune to the pain of scratching, you might start. Get some therapy Mary.

Answer 5

you need to do something about your depression cutting your self is not only dangerous but its bloody stupid go to your g p or talk to your parents and sort out what ever is making you depressed and change it life is crap but its life you need to get on with it you are the only 1 who can change it and remember there is always some 1 worse off than you

Answer 6

i have a friend that was a cutter, and trying to say you will, but that's how he started. if you continue scratching, you get used to the pain, and start to go deeper.
you need to talk to someone you trust and feel comfortable talking to. hurting yourself doesn't make your problems go away.
if you want to, you can talk to me through my yahoo profile.
i know it might not seem like it now, but things can get better. the bad times don't last forever.

Answer 7

it is self mutalation none the less. This is the first step some take to cutting. If you are feeling this depressed please talk to someone. Dont hold it in and let it eat you up.

Answer 8

its not "cutting" its "scratching" which is still self mutilation and gives the same reliefe , usually, as as cutting does

Answer 9

well its considered cutting and u shouldnt do it. no matter how bad u feel try to keep ur mind off that. its bad and u could be put in a mental hospital. so please stop cutting.

Answer 10

Self-mutilation is self-mutilation.

Get some professional help immediately.