Hello! Hope you're having a good day/night. I had a question: Since the age of six I have developed this weird stress response where I pull off small strips of skin, usually from the sides of my finger closest to the nail and eat it. I also eat the skin that I chew off my lip when it gets dry or cracked. (Sorry for the tmi) Would this count as cannibalism? Genuinely curious
Yes, this is cannibalism. Specifically, autocannibalism or self-cannibalism, depending on the meaning you take for either. I would personally describe your behaviour as self-cannibalism, seeing as you are not eating major components of yourself such as entire fingers or muscle, as is often described by autocannibalism. Rather, you are consuming rather minor parts of yourself, while still eating your own flesh. Eating one’s own hair or nails is also sometimes classified as self-cannibalism, though less commonly and in a more subjective manner.
(Ooc: I do this too :) Glad to see that someone else ALSO eats their own skin lol)
