Is biting yourself self-harm?

[Muminthewest]

When I can’t cope I sometimes bite hard on my arm, often several times at once. It can leave bruises which last for days. I feel so sad writing this. Ashamed. No-one who knows me knows that I do this. I’m sure they’d be shocked.
Has anyone else had this? Am I moving into a zone of self harm or is this simply a response to stress?

You aren't "moving into" the self harm zone, you're firmly in it.

I'd make a GP appointment.

Self harm is a response to stress.

You've no reason to feel ashamed. Is there a reason you haven't sought support?

Best have a chat with your GP. Self harm is a common way of coping, you're not alone. The sooner you go the better. Hopefully you'll look back on it as a short stressful phase x

Yes, this is self harm. Biting was the first way my daughter self harmed before she moved on to cutting herself. If you feel able to then please get support. There are places you can get support online if speaking to your gp feels too difficult, although you don't need to feel any shame telling your gp or anyone else about it and asking for help.

Do you really not understand this is hurting yourself?

It can be a form of self harm. Here is some information on Mind website identifying reasons you may self harm and triggers. It suggests a diary so you can see patterns

Yes. I used to say to my therapist(s) that my self harm was a sliding scale - smoking at the ok end and cutting at the worst end. In the middle was biting, pinching, hitting self.

It's a coping mechanism and it works for you. It is work seeing someone to explore why.

Sending you hugs

Do you feel better after you've done it? When someone has no other outlet for stress (i.e. when they're young) they can often self soothe with destructive or harmful behaviour that takes their attention away from whatever is going on around them which is outside of their control. So picking skin, pulling hair, limiting food or hurting themselves. Is that relevant to you?

I do this sometimes, also hitting myself. It's not something I think about in the moment, it's more of an impulse reaction that I almost feel like I can't stop myself from doing. My triggers seem to be when I'm feeling trapped in a situation I don't want to be in and can't escape, boredom too is a big trigger for me.
Do you know what your triggers are?