Is it normal that i want to cut myself to pick at the scabs and eat them?

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5 Comments

I've had a habit of chewing on things (plastic, gum, tin foil, etc.) to relax since I was a tot. Around the time I turned 10, I started picking at my skin and eating it. 2 years later, I began cutting myself. I had done it for about 3 or 4 years, but eventually I was able to stop. I hadn't done anything to hurt myself until about a month ago because I wanted to eat my scabs. I know cutting is bad and all, but just picking and eating helps me relax a lot.

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16% Normal
Based on 31 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • Fluttersky
    5 years ago

    I do that. I scratch myself. I pop unready pimples. I pull out my hair. All to get a scab to eat it. And Idky. I know it's gross. And it hurts to peel it off but (okay might get gross to some) when I feel my teeth stick together from chewing on it, it's so relieving. And there are names for this. Either Dermatelomania, or Trikotellamania. Don't quote me on the spelling. I'm so bad at spelling. But it's a mental disorder in itself. Not connected to anxiety, depression, OCD, none of that. It's its own thing. And I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the reason why some of us do this was because it takes us back to our primitive states, and it's like we're grooming ourselves, in the place of ticks. Back when we were hairier. We would see something, pick it, and eat it. *shrug*

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  • Indigobloom1
    5 years ago

    That's gross. I knew a girl in college that would pick her scabs (which is cringy enough) and then EAT THEM AHH! Made me shiver when I saw her do that

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  • boovish
    5 years ago

    You may have pica which is just a disorder where you feel the urge to chew on nonfood stuff. Apparently its commonly linked to nutrient deficiencies so maybe try taking a supplement?

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  • MrsEdGein
    5 years ago

    Tin foil? The thought of chewing that makes my teeth hurt >_<

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  • KarinaM
    5 years ago

    If that's what really relaxes you I recommend replacing the picking and eating with something else, because cutting is unhealthy and unnecessary. It takes 21-66 days to form or create a new habit, have you tried subsituting it with something else to relax? It takes commitment to acomplish this. (I have eczema, so I know how hard it is to avoid scratching and picking. I'm still on my way to completely stoping but going cold turkey and trying to break out of the habit has seemed to help so far)

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