Cutting and self harm

hey! i’ve dealt with self harm for years and i’m recently a year clean. sometimes OCD can obsess over frequent behavior or harmful behavior and it’s hard to navigate. but it’s important to talk about these things and distract yourself! i’m always here if you need someone.

Lately I’ve been leaving scratch marks on my hand fingers, to the point the scars are permanent

i have suicidal ocd and i get these same thoughts

This was exactly how I first heard I might have OCD. I thought it was the urge to tic (I have Tourette's). So I mentioned it in a Tourette's forum on FB. Obvs lots of people have OCD in a Tourette's forum and they just started talking like it went without saying that I already knew. Not long after that my mental health team started discussing OCD with me and things have gone from there. At the time I just stayed in my room and away from the kitchen but I don't know what I would do today. I'd explore those thoughts and urges in whatever small way I could manage I guess. That is a start.

I feel the same sometimes or when I'm really stressed and having an episode I'll scratch my arm till I bleed. Having certain stress relief toys or Fidget Toys can help a little. I also have dermatillomania so it also helps to prevent picking at my skin or creating new wounds. Swapping one self harming activity for something less harmful is a step in the right direction but I know it can be hard.