Tuesday April 8, 2025 | TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of self harm

how would biting as self harm when they other day on Wednesday April 2 when I bit myself because I was either overwhelmed or angry.  I still believe that I was overwhelmed!   

Everything I read on an official am or autism site, they said that there was no reason why that just a selective mutism individual just be biting themselves. I found a video under the blog title "this sounds familiar that I have done when I was younger".  

"While selective mutism is primarily characterized by the inability to speak in specific situations, it's not a typical symptom for individuals with selective mutism to bite themselves when angry or overwhelmed. However, some individuals with selective mutism may exhibit other behaviors associated with anxiety, such as screaming, shouting, jumping on furniture, or playing too rough. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Selective Mutism and Anxiety:

  Selective mutism is a social anxiety disorder where individuals are unable to speak in specific social situations, even though they can speak normally in other settings. 
• Other Anxiety Behaviors:

  Individuals with selective mutism may experience anxiety, which can manifest in various ways, including screaming, shouting, or engaging in rough play. 
• Biting as Self-Harm:

  Biting oneself, or engaging in other forms of self-harm, is not a typical symptom of selective mutism. 
• Seeking Professional Help:

  If you are concerned about someone's behavior, it's important to seek professional help from a qualified mental health professional. 
• Signs of Selective Mutism:

  Other signs of selective mutism include nervousness, social awkwardness, shyness, withdrawnness, and difficulty initiating conversations."

Ugh!  is this true?   I don't think it means anything but it 

does mean something?  It is really hard to see autism in a

selective mutism individual especially in someone over 50.  

"Yes, some autistic individuals may bite themselves, or engage in other self-injurious behaviors, as a way to cope with anxiety, overwhelm, or emotional distress, or as a form of communication when other methods are unavailable. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Self-injurious behaviors are not a symptom of autism itself, but they can be more common in autistic individuals

  . 
• Self-injurious behaviors can be a way to cope with difficult emotions or sensory overload:

  Some autistic individuals may bite themselves, scratch themselves, hit themselves, or bang their heads as a way to regulate their emotions or sensory input. 
• Self-harm can also be a form of communication:

  For some autistic individuals, self-harm may be a way to express needs or communicate distress when they are unable to communicate verbally or through other means. 
• Examples of self-injurious behaviors in autistic individuals:

  • Biting themselves 
  • Scratching or picking at their skin 
  • Hitting themselves 
  • Head banging 
  • Pulling their hair 
  • Eye pressing/gouging 
• Strategies to help autistic individuals manage self-injurious behaviors:

  • Identify triggers: Understanding what situations or emotions lead to self-injurious behaviors can help develop strategies to prevent them. 
  • Provide alternative coping mechanisms: Teach autistic individuals alternative ways to cope with difficult emotions or sensory overload, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or sensory activities. 
  • Create a calm and predictable environment: Reducing sensory overload and providing a structured environment can help prevent self-injurious behaviors. 
  • Improve communication skills: Helping autistic individuals develop stronger communication skills can allow them to express their needs and emotions more effectively, reducing the need for self-harm. 
  • Seek professional support: If self-injurious behaviors are severe or persistent, seek guidance from professionals such as therapists or behavior specialists."