Ask Jigsaw: Is pinching self-harm?

Tuesday, 01 September 2020

does pinching myself count as self harm?

-kitkat15

Hi kitkat15,

Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts or damages their body. It can take many forms and could include pinching yourself. Often the person engaging in self-harm is feeling a lot of powerful feelings that they’re not sure how to deal with.

If this is the case for you, I just want to tell you that you’re not alone. However, there are other ways to manage those difficult feelings.

Releasing emotions

When we are feeling strong emotions we look for a release. That could be done through sport, pulling weeds in the garden or smashing bottles in a bottle bank, for example. Other ways of release might involve singing or playing an instrument, screaming into a pillow or punching a punch bag. Usually anything physical can help, as can creative outlets and talking or writing about your feelings.

Lynn

Jigsaw clinician

You matter, your feelings matter and you deserve support.