Is this the same as cutting?

Thnx 2 every1 for answering!! I'll do the best I can to help her!!! :)

Cutting, scratching, hitting, hair pulling, stapling, burning, smacking, vomiting, starving, drug abuse, etc.... It doesn't matter what it is, if someone is harming themselves one way or another it is SELF-HARM / SELF-INJURY / SELF-MUTILATION and can be a very serious condition.

Some people can eventually handle the situation themselves and get out of the habit of doing it. But when someone can't break that habit, then it is most likely the result of a mental illness or other disorder.

Not all people who self-harm are contemplating suicide and not all people who contemplate suicide are people who self-harm. There are people who do self-harm and do contemplate suicide. Therefore it is best to be on the safe side at all times when you have a friend who is hurting themselves.

I used to take safety pins, stick pins, needles, etc. and scratch myself until it broke the skin so I could bleed. I would do it when I felt very upset. Sometimes the scratches would be between 1-3 inches long and 1cm to 1/2 an inch wide..... I'd also use the tip of a pocket knife as well if I couldn't find the needles or pins.... However, I'd always sterilize the tool first and I would clean the area with alcohol before I would do it.

But, I broke myself of that habit after doing it off and on for several years. I don't know how I did it. I just remember looking at myself one day and seeing the scars. Some had faded some had stayed.... I thought "Is this how I want to remember my emotional troubles, sitting around and sulking about? Or do I want to be happier and look at life from a brighter perspective?" I decided to look at life from a brighter perspective. I didn't want to keep the scars, a lot of them are gone already. The last time I remember doing anything like that was back in 2007 or 2008....

I know everyone has their own issues and only each individual knows their own pain and suffering. But I sure hope that you can help your friend out.

I do that to. I take a pencil or my nails and scratch my arm or my leg. Idk if it counts as cutting but it might be close.

I think you should keep an eye on her and maybe see if you can find out why she's doing it.

Yeah, she's kinda reserved and tends to keep some things to herself...

Well I would try to convince her to tell me. Something like that you should talk to a friend about.