Where did my sweet baby go?

Hello. I have a 23 month old little girl, and am starting to worry. She use to be so very well behaved, but as of late (November 2009) she has started becoming very agressive. She screams and yells, throws herself down over nothing, and lately, has starting hitting others. I've tried everything, play therapy, re-direction, time out, talking, and as a last resort, a small pat on the behind. Also, she has started scratching her arms and legs, sometimes until they bleed, almost compulsively! And biting herself hard enough to leave bruises...What did I do wrong? Where did my sweet little girl go? Everyone is telling me it's just "terrible twos" starting in, but I don't think that's it. Personally, I think some of it may be attributed to the fact her dad walked out on us. He use to call her frequently (every day) then he slowly stopped....That's when the hitting and scratching started...Then he stopped all together and now she's biting herself. I've tried talking to her, telling her that daddy didn't leave her, he's just wasn't ready to be a daddy right now, and that it's okay because mommy and brother love her very much. Nothing is making it better and I'm about to my wits end. Where did I go wrong as a parent? Why is my child hurting herself and others?

[margypops]

I think a good idea is to seek help from your Doctor particularly as she is hurting her self so badly, she needs some help it is obvious from your post, I sense she is very upset 23 month old small  children so not behave the way you describe with out reason.Please get some professional advice about the Issues here ....