First Confession + self abuse?

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If I go to confession and confess self-abuse, would I have to say what sort it is? It’s several forms: masturbation (which I regret doing so much and want to scream at myself and am embarrassed by it) self harm (a few years ago) starving myself (not enough to actually be considered an eating disorder) hating myself, taking some random pills.
Would I have to list them all out or could I say ‘several forms of self abuse’? Mainly asking because I feel stupid and disgusting for admitting the first one.
I’ve never actually been to confession before so I don’t really know what to expect. When I walk in, there always be the option of the screen, and then if I want to do it face to face (which I don’t) I can then ask? Or is it face to face first and then I ask to go behind the screen?
 
Marshmallow2 said:
If I go to confession and confess self-abuse, would I have to say what sort it is? It’s several forms: masturbation (which I regret doing so much and want to scream at myself and am embarrassed by it) self harm (a few years ago) starving myself (not enough to actually be considered an eating disorder) hating myself, taking some random pills.
Would I have to list them all out or could I say ‘several forms of self abuse’? Mainly asking because I feel stupid and disgusting for admitting the first one.
I’ve never actually been to confession before so I don’t really know what to expect. When I walk in, there always be the option of the screen, and then if I want to do it face to face (which I don’t) I can then ask? Or is it face to face first and then I ask to go behind the screen?
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Start by just saying “several forms of self-abuse.” If the priest needs more info, he’ll ask.
 
I disagree. While “self-abuse” is sometimes a colloquial Catholic term for masturbation, physical self harm and masturbation are completely different categories of sin. We are to name all grave sins in kind and number.

OP: you don’t need to go into detail, but I would distinguish between sins of impurity (you could even say “impure with myself” and Father will know what you mean) and the self harm issues.
 
twf said:
I disagree. While “self-abuse” is sometimes a colloquial Catholic term for masturbation, physical self harm and masturbation are completely different categories of sin. We are to name all grave sins in kind and number.

OP: you don’t need to go into detail, but I would distinguish between sins of impurity (you could even say “impure with myself” and Father will know what you mean) and the self harm issues.
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Fair enough. I figured “various forms” could cover that base and, if not, the priest could say so.
 
To be honest, on top of confession, please find help for these attempts to harm yourself. Your Diocese Catholic Charities or local Mental Health Agency are there.

You may say “I have committed impure acts and I have attempted to harm myself” to give Father a bit more insight.
 
I guess I used to have (undiagnosed) depression but I’m genuinely feeling better now. I had counselling but it didn’t particularly help. Thank you 🙂
 
Just say masturbation. It’s an incredibly common sin and the priest has probably heard thousands upon thousands of people confess it. Don’t be embarrassed. Basically everyone has had to confess this; you’re not weird.

As to the rest, I echo what LittleLady said about making sure you are staying on top of your mental health.
 
I know but it’s still awkward. Also I’m a teenager and in this day and age we’re classified at ‘sl*ts’ and I’m angry at myself. But is there always the option beforehand to go behind a screen so isn’t face to face?
 
You do need to differentiate between the sins against the 5th commandment: self-harm, and the sins against the 6th commandment: self-abuse. You could probably say it just like that and Father will ask if he needs more information. Don’t stress it! You sound like the average young person and especially considering it’s your first confession the priest is going to be very compassionate and sympathetic.
 
Marshmallow2 said:
Also I’m a teenager and in this day and age we’re classified at ‘sl*ts
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No one is going to think you’re promiscuous because you masturbated. Thats not even what the word means.

If I had to guess, I would say that 99.999999999999% of teenagers, male and female, have masturbated at some point. The priest is not going to think you’re a freak or anything, believe me. This is like the most common sin there is.
 
Also, nobody classifies teenagers as sluts. Don’t make that generalization about yourself! You may have made mistakes in the past, but they do not define who you are or what you are worth.
 
What? She’s not dying. She’s planning on going to Confession and needs some advice. Let’s not dissuade her from that. I’m sure she’s anxious enough.
  1. The anointing of the sick can be administered to a member of the faithful who, after having reached the use of reason, begins to be in danger due to sickness or old age.
  2. This sacrament can be repeated whenever the sick person again falls into a serious sickness after convalescence or whenever a more serious crisis develops during the same sickness.
 
How do I be…not anxious…? I was never brought up Catholic (although was baptized) and have only been curious and more connected to religion in the last 6 months or so…
 
And to answer your other question, you ought always to have the option of an anonymous confession.
 
Keep in mind that once you are done those sins are gone. They don’t exist anymore. On the final judgement day Satan cannot say: “I accuse X of this, this, this …” Because you will have already come and accused yourself.
Try to remember, the priest is there as a representative of Christ, and trust me, the priest has heard worse things. Don’t worry about what he’ll think. He’s there to help you and you aren’t the first person he’s helped.
 
I did. She’s not eligible for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick unless she’s gravely ill. Secondly, if I were to go talk to a priest about something potentially embarrassing like how to confess masturbation, I’d want it to be a one and done conversation. She only has to bring them up once in the confessional and then they are forgiven and forgotten. Seems better than having the conversation outside the confessional and not being granted absolution.
 
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So would I walk in and it would first be behind the screen, and then if one wanted to, one would ask to do face to face?
 
Also, would I just say that I’ve never been and know pretty much nothing, and he’ll talk me though it or something?
 
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