Why do you self-harm?

[BlueOwl]

I have a teacher who I adore. We are extremely close and she kind of figured out I did. She never asked me about it but I could tell she knew (which she said after she did) so I told her and she asked why. She asumed it was the reason most do "Control of pain". But that's not it for me. At first I said because it reminded me I was still alive, but that answer still seemed wrong. Finally I knew why I ut. Because I'm a horrible person, because when things that upset me happen, iknow its all my fault and I deserve to be punished. So I cut and get the punishment I deserve.

Why do you self-harm?

[RyanJF1]

I do it because of stress and anxiety. Helps lower my stress level, but in a horrible way.

[Elysium]

Sometimes I feel like I deserve it, but most of the time it sort of helps me center myself. I usually do it when I'm stressed (which is most of the time) or extremely self-deprecating. Somehow, it makes me feel like I'm not braving everything alone because I have these cuts. When I can't cut, like at school, I dig my nails into my palms.

[autismtwin]

I do it for a variety of reasons:
As a punishment
The physical pain is better than the emotional pain
If I hurt myself, then others' can't hurt me.
I also have really bad anxiety.

[Perfect_Insanity]

There's already been a thread on this, if you haven't seen it:
http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=165089

Usually I cut because of a couple of reasons:
A. (Usually) Because I feel depressed and dead.
B. Because I have too many emotions to deal with.
C. Because I'm going to have to talk to someone (like my bishop or counselor) and am nervous
D. Because I like the blood and/or pain, simple as that.
E. Because sometimes if I cut enough, I can forget myself.

[astrid]

It's either because of my depression & very low self-worth. Most of the time I do it is just to calm myself down because it distracts me from whatever I'm stressed or scared about.

[SilentCutter]

I cut because, I'm a terrible person who has done bad things. Because I know about it and no one else does, it sorta eats me up inside and I need to ease the emotional pain with physical pain. I do it because I'm an ugly person who deserves as much pain as she puts out.

[giofighter]

I don't want to sound rude at all and if i do please forgive me,but cutting isn't a bit stupid.Well,i never cutted myself and i don't think i'm gonna do it.I'm stressed all the time but still i don't find it neccesary to do that thing.Another thing i would like to know,if anyone of you want to awnser it,cutting it's your last solution to stpp stress for example?

[DarkAngelLover]

I cut because it lets out the pain for that moment in time.

[habitualrelapser]

that's good that you don't find it necessary. For most its not a last solution per say, its a automatic go to.

[Rayquaza]

- Stress reduction
- Alternative to eating
- Feel in control of your body
- Depressed
- When something's my fault

I don't want to sound rude at all and if i do please forgive me,but cutting isn't a bit stupid.

Eh?

[ToxicAce371]

I haven't cut yet..I want to though. :(

[FullyAlive]

I haven't cut yet..I want to though. :(
Talk to someone as soon as possible. One of my regrets is not telling someone how down I was before I started cutting. Cutting yourself will not solve anything I say that with experience you won't even feel better for a day you'll be ok for maybe a few minutes, an hour and then you'll realise what you've started and that feeling better will all stop. You need to tell someone you're having thoughts of harming yourself and let them help you before you start down a path that only brings pain.



I guess for me the simple reason is I cut to feel better then I got addicted.

[JustAFool]

It actually started, because I failed a few exams at school and I felt like I deserve it (I'm raised by a single mum and i'm trying my best to make her proud), but then it just became a way to respond ot 90% of the emotions I felt. I have these moments when I feel like I'm drawning in an ocean of emotions and cutting is the only way out. I just relax while I bleed.... when I see the blood going down my hands.......... just talking about it is insanelly triggering. I'm now trying to keep clean to my prom, so my scars will be coverable with makeup. I've been clean for a month. you have no idea how hard it is... especially at night.

[RakshaMalayka]

Typically for one or more of the following:
1) memories crashing down on me
2) emotions trying to drown me
3) I'm a waste of air
4) all I bring people is pain and misery
5) I need to feel something, anything
6) I've lost sense between reality, memory, and dream

[ArtistInNeed]

if im depressed i will, or if im alone and bored, i will. its more of an addiction for me now...but when i started it was because i was being bullied and i hated myself and i was depressed. it was and is a stress reliever

[endless_secrets]

i am on the road to recovery:
i did it because, well, i don't know. i hope i find out someday