Biting Oneself

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HAHA! Where did this one come from? :rotfl:

I have a nervous habit where I sometimes bite the inside of my mouth. That sort of thing certainly isn’t sinful.
 
Maybe it isn’t a sin, but it’s rather a stupid thing to do.
 
Would that be similar to cutting oneself?
If it’s an urge that’s hard to resist, you may need to find a counsellor to help you.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we should treat them with respect.
 
I guess it depends. I bite my fingernails which I guess could be considered biting ones self, but it is just a nervous habit.

If it is s nervous habit, probably no big deal. However, if you are talking about deliberately inflicting pain, it is a dangerous slope that could lead to self-mutilation or worse.

Could you be a little more clear?
 
Sometime I do that in bed if my arm falls asleep. I bite it to see the level of sensitivity left in it. Depending on that I just roll over and go back to sleep or I do some specific movements to re-establish the circulation in it.
 
Would that be similar to cutting oneself?
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What makes people do this? I saw this on TV and I wondered what causes this? Has anyone ever heard?

Terri
 
mercygate said:
If done involuntarily, or compulsively, is a symptom of an underlying disorder. See a doctor; not a priest.

Here’s a brief article.
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I agree with mercygate. I assume you are talking about deliberate self-injury. This is can be a serious condition. Some will say that deliberately doing anything to hurt yourself may be sinful. But the real concern is getting help for the problem.

I don’t know if your question is for yourself or another, but its not a sin to need help. A compulsivity problem is no less a medical issue than a broken arm or an infectious disease.
 
Saint_Gemma said:
Is it a sin to bite yourself?
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I suppose it depends on either how it tastes or what you are biting. 😛

But I think there is some seriousness behind the question. Are we talking about biting fingernails or toenails? Or is the person you are asking about injuring themself or leaving marks?

If they are doing something because of some type of compulsive behavior, that may be a sign of some psychological upset and they should consider being evaluated by mental health professionals.

If the source of the problem is due to mental difficulties, it is likely there is no sin as they have limited, if any, self-control in the matter.

On the other hand, if it is nothing more than a bad habit, there may be sin involved. We are not to disfigure ourselves. However, I do not believe that biting one’s finger or toe nails is sinful.
 
homewardangel said:
What makes people do this? I saw this on TV and I wondered what causes this? Has anyone ever heard?

Terri
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There’s no basic cause for everyone, of course, but many people cut themselves because they are in a lot of emotional/psychological pain. When they cut themselves, they see it as a release…their focus is drawn to the physical pain. Kind of like drinking away your troubles only to find yourself in worse shape for it later.
There are also others that do it to feel that they are in control of something (like many eating disorders and other psychological disorders begin).

People have likely written entire books about the cause, but those are some of the real basics.:o
 
What makes people do this? I saw this on TV and I wondered what causes this? Has anyone ever heard?
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Look up the song “Cut” by Plumb (a Christian artist).

Well, actually, here’s a link:

youtube.com/watch?v=LEGoHi5HDn0

(Dull video, amazing song!)

There are those who can feel cold, sensationless–depressed, alone, hurting. Nothing seems real. Cutting is like way they can feel something–even pain… in some cases a way of making absolution for oneself (though it’s not actually *thought of *like this, mind you; it’s not supposed to be a religious act so much as an emotional one).

As a teenager in the midst of this stuff, and daily challenged by it, I can tell you right now:

YOU MAY THINK YOU KNOW, BUT MOST HAVE NO IDEA HAVE BIG THIS IS…

I have a friend who’s a really strong Christian and he’s into the posthardcore scene (as am I, actually) and he wants to work with an organization that helps teens struggling with issues like suicide and cutting… It’s something really nigh to his heart–and mine, though I don’t have his passion.

Pray for this, will you?
 
I bite myself sometimes to distract myself from my obsessive thoughts. I try not to, but sometimes I do it anyways.😦
 
sallybranwyn said:
There’s no basic cause for everyone, of course, but many people cut themselves because they are in a lot of emotional/psychological pain. When they cut themselves, they see it as a release…their focus is drawn to the physical pain. Kind of like drinking away your troubles only to find yourself in worse shape for it later.
There are also others that do it to feel that they are in control of something (like many eating disorders and other psychological disorders begin).

People have likely written entire books about the cause, but those are some of the real basics.:o
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Control, and release are the main reasons a lot of times. Also, one can feel such hatred for yourself that you do it just to cause yourself pain. Because cutting is not just physical pain, there is a lot of emotional pain with it as well. Even the smallest cut or bite or burn can have lasting emotional consequences. The reasons even with the same person aren’t always the same. They change, depending on the mood and whats going on in the person’s life. Self injury is also an addiction like any other. Often, people can stop for years and then go back to it. Because its a coping skill. A bad one, but it achieves the desired effect for a little while. Its a long hard struggle to overcome, though I guess it is possible. Eight years so far and I still struggle. Is it a sin? Probably.

Many self injurers are survivors of abuse and/or suffer from low self esteem. People don’t just injure themselves just to do it. There’s gotta be a reason.

Oh yeah I love Plumb, Cut is a great song. Explains SI really well.

Anyway, back to the topic.

OP, if its something that bothers you then I would definitely talk to someone about it. Doctor, priest, friend, someone! Even if it isn’t a sin, if its bugging you then it can’t be healthy.
 
Saint_Gemma said:
No, but I have permanent marks on my hands from biting myself.

I have not talked to my doctor about it.
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Talk to your doctor. I know that something like this could be embarrasing. But I don’t think that you are alone in causing yourself pain. It takes a lot of strength to reach out for help. I will say a prayer for you.🙂
 
deb1 said:
Talk to your doctor. I know that something like this could be embarrasing. But I don’t think that you are alone in causing yourself pain. It takes a lot of strength to reach out for help. I will say a prayer for you.🙂
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Thank you.
 
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