Self harm. A choice?

[Project Delta]

Do you think that self harming is a choice or not? Answer and reason please :)

[betakuwe]

I think that it's a choice. When a cut is made the first time, the person chose to do that, regardless of whatever reason (grief, depressed, etc) and when that person was sane.

But if it's addicted, then i guess it's just like a drug where you "can't help it but to do it"..

[Sapphire]

Of course it is.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Nope.

[Inconvenience]

of course it is. nobody insists u to do it. u do it according to ur own will. and please, don't say that u don't wanna do it and some unknown force leads u to selfharm

[Hannah]

self harm is a choice and once you make that choice it will overtake you. But dont feel you are a failure there is always a way out sweety, but it must take your effort.

[Aspiringanonymous]

and please, don't say that u don't wanna do it and some unknown force leads u to selfharm
That is a valid belief.

However, it is possible for influences to be countered with insight and experience; which is what this forum is all about.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Anyone heard of DID?
Psychosis?
Schizophrenia?

All of these can cause self harming behavior - which you have NO control over.

I personally think ADDICTIONS are not CHOICES.
Hence the damn word addiction.
*rolls eyes*

[Holding On*]

I am on the fence with this one, as like Aimee said, some ilnesses can drive you to it, however in most cases it is done by choice the first time, and then after it can be an addiction, but the first time is a choice... even if driven by peer pressure or any other thing like that, its still a choice - you dont HAVE to...

[Atonement]

There are illnesses that drive people to do it, upon then, it is not a choice. But in most cases, the illnesses intensify the drive to hurt one's self, yet are still able to be resisted. Schizophrenia is one of those few illnesses that someone can't control. Yet, it is still a choice to be treated and helped. You do choose. Always. Whether to pick up a blade or to get help for some psychosis, you choose.

[Project Delta]

Anyone heard of DID?
Psychosis?
Schizophrenia?

All of these can cause self harming behavior - which you have NO control over.

I personally think ADDICTIONS are not CHOICES.
Hence the damn word addiction.
*rolls eyes*
Addition has to have a start. The first one is your own decision. And therefore a choice. Psychosis doesn't cause self harm. Its your choice to start. BUT once you've done it the first time. Then it becomes an addiction. But an addiction has to have the choice first time to become what it is

[Amyxoxo]

I have chosen no but still I believe that it is a trick question.
At first yes it is a choice and i would not argue but after a while, once it starts becoming a habbit then leads onto and addiction everything gets out of hand.
I saw in another post that it is a choice to self harm because you can chose to get help or not but really if anything was as simple as just going up to someone and telling them your biggest fear, your secret that you had kept for years on end then dont you think many people would not bo on this site?

[Sapphire]

Anyone heard of DID?
Psychosis?
Schizophrenia?

All of these can cause self harming behavior - which you have NO control over.

I personally think ADDICTIONS are not CHOICES.
Hence the damn word addiction.
*rolls eyes*None of those disorders show that a choice to self harm isn't made. All they show is that ones mental state affects the reason and the amount of relative control behind such a choice.
With DID, the alter that self harms makes the decision to do so.
With schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, the choice to self harm is also present. It is simply made in relation to the fantasy world of the individual rather than in relation to reality.

Addictions all stem from intended actions and intended actions have to be chosen.

[OnlyByTheNight.]

Yes it is a choice, a stupid choice definately but a choice nonetheless.

[sweet like chocolate]

obviously it depends on the circumstances, mental well being of the person in question. But overall, I think yes it is.

[-Silence]

Yes, I believe its a choice. I believe that just about everything is a choice.

And about addictions - addictions can be broken which still makes it a choice.

[TigerLily]

Definitely a choice.

[Marcie]

You choose whether or not to do it every time. You don't have to do it and you don't need to.

[BeautifulDisaster]

lol, I don't care if I get -rep for this people, I personally think this is not a choice & your mental state can definitely distort the "choices" you make.
Hence why people get hospitalized(well, I was.)

My opinion though, & it is shared with many of the people I know.

Peace out.

[Sapphire]

Aimee, choices are still made about self harm even though rationality isn't commonplace when it comes to making them.
Obviously if rationality is absent, the choices won't be good ones. But they are choices nonetheless.
Just because it gets to a point where it controls us doesn't mean that we didn't (and don't) make choices about it.

We choose to make the first cut. We choose to repeat it. We choose to let it control us. Ultimately, we choose whether we continue to surrender to it or whether we fight it and reclaim that control.

[BeautifulDisaster]

The first self harming behavior is a choice, yes, but it doesn't mean the addiction is a choice from there on out.

Like I said, this is my opinion & many agree with me.

Not really bothered if people agree with me on here or not.

[CuriousDestruction]

i wish their was an option like "usually" or "sometimes." there is SOME middle ground here obviously.

[-Silence]

So Aimee can no one ever overcome an addiction they have?
Just curious.

[BeautifulDisaster]

I think you can overcome addictions, but they will always be there, haunting you for the rest of your life.

God, why can you not accept how I feel?

Get over it, I feel like this, it's my opinion, it's not like I'm challenging any of yours.

Shesh.

[xxLostAndUnfound]

I think it's a choice. Even though it's addicting, nothing is forcing you to self harm. Nobody needs to do it.

[-Silence]

God, why can you not accept how I feel?

Get over it, I feel like this, it's my opinion, it's not like I'm challenging any of yours.

Shesh.

I wasnt trying to challenge your opinion, I was really just curious.

[Asylum]

both... soemtimes i odn't remeber i cut.. like i'll black out... thats not a choice... i had no contol over what my body did... just the consequence of my actions that i didn't have a choice over.... however there are times when i pick up thigns and do cut... that is a choice, i had the choic to cut or not...

to the above posts... yes we are in a bad mental state at the time, and can't rationalie with reality, and it seems like te only way posible is to "cut" but you still have a chice, even though distorted my the current state we are in at the time... the choice is there... like when i see things and hear things... i hav a chocie, those things are telling me... hey... you need to kill yourself or cut... or we wont' go away, these voices and image are really scary, now to make them go away andto make paranoia and anxiety and all other emotions go away, all ineed to do is2 thigns cut, or kill myself... but tehre is a thrd option, do nothing.. jsut deal with it... i'm sill able to make the third choice and have in the past. however sometimes i do end up cuttinmg or Self injuring... now... the choice was there... its better to take consequence for my actios then blame it on my emotiosn and the images and the voices, because i knwo that is all in my head... i cna't control what i see and hear, but i can and am able to think and contorl my actions...
those occasions i cna't control well thats a different story, it starts off with me going numb, then everything around me seeming like its not real... i do start to see thigns and hear things... sometimes i'll break down in this time period, and thn hours latter passes and i wont' remeber what happened n those hours, ut i will see cuts... now people can say i felt so bad at the time i had to self injure andi had the choice, and then supressed it, but i odnt' beleive thathappens like i don't remeber anything.. it isn't just a suppressed mmory... it could be... then in thatcase yes i did figureatively have the choice...

addiction well u made the choice to start.... therefore u make it an addiction by choicing it every time circumstances alter your thoughts... yes i need this... i wat to forget... but you still ave the choice..

and mental wellbeing of the person alters the decision... they still have the choice...

[Project Delta]

I wasnt trying to challenge your opinion, I was really just curious.

THis is what i was doing and got de-repped by the above poster for it. But meh not bothered.

Like silence has said it is possible to overcome an addiction and therefore all addictions are choices. But the urges are willing you into the choice easier because your used to it and think you need it and you dont. You have the choice to resist or the choice to do it. Therefore either way. Its a choice.

[BeautifulDisaster]

lol, Okay, sure thing. ;)

[benja]

its a choice but many things have influence on that decision like your mood your relatioship with our fathers ,etc .

mmmm i dont understand people that do self harm! but well for my its difficult I put myself in your shoes...
In my opinion if u do that you have very serious problems.You should go to a psychologist.

another point is that God gave you your life, you cant do such things! you have to think in people that are worse than you and see what things you have (family, girlfriend, friends,a place to live,etc)not what you dont have.you will always find somebody that is in a worst situation that yours...Be happy and be grateful of what you have

see u

[GreyxRainbow]

Yes. You choose to make your first cut, and afterwards, you choose to carry one. You can choose to stop self harming. And when you say you want to stop but carry on anyway, I believe that you do choose to carry on, at least a part of you. Self harm is a choice. Maybe you don't really want to self harm, but then again, if you're still doing it, obviously some part of you does. If you really want to stop, and you try your best and give your everything, you can stop. I know that I don't. I mean, I know that I don't really want to stop right now and don't try that hard, but that I could if I really wanted to.

But I also believe that some choices are made for you. You don't really choose to self harm by saying to yourself "Okay, I'll hurt myself today." You are unaware of that choice when you make it, but later on, you will realize that you do have a choice.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Benja - read my sig quote.

It's pretty shallow to down play what people go through.

Some people go through worse than others, some go through better, what does it matter if it is something they personally struggle with?
Shesh.

[benja]

no you didnt understand me that is not the point.What i mean is that many people are in worse situation than you and dont do self harm or they have less things in their lives than u however they are happier than you
be grateful


see u

[BeautifulDisaster]

You don't know what it is like to be in my shoes, or anyone else's.

It's pathetic & shallow to judge anyone else.

[Leprachaun]

Yes it is a choice. Unless you're peeling potatoes and you cut your self. that wouldn't be a choice. Unless you wanted to cut and were looking for an excuse.

[The Batman]

no you didnt understand me that is not the point.What i mean is that many people are in worse situation than you and dont do self harm or they have less things in their lives than u however they are happier than you
be grateful


see u

Self harm is not about being grateful or not having something it's about your mental state and how you feel. You really don't understand it at all dude.

[benja]

You don't know what it is like to be in my shoes, or anyone else's.

It's pathetic & shallow to judge anyone else.

no i dont. but i am sure that doing self harm is not normal. what do you think is it normal to cut your arm ? i dont think so...


YOu need a psychologist that is very clear.

i strongly believe that if u do self harm you must go to a psychologist




Self harm is not about being grateful or not having something it's about your mental state and how you feel. You really don't understand it at all dude.

maybe i dont understand very well why some people cut themself but what i am SURE is that as i said before doing self harming is not normal , you must go to a psychologist. if u that your metal state is veryy bad and i think that u are not feeling well too.
i want to help u not to judge you and i have my problems too but i admit them...

see u

[BeautifulDisaster]

lol, People with self harm do admit they have problems, wow, you seriously are ignorant & have no clue about half the people in this world.

&& I've been seeing mental health professionals since I was 7, I'm very aware that I have MH issues, I have multiple MH diagnosis', I'm not saying I don't, lol, I'm saying it's pathetic & shallow to compare a life with someone else's.

[Fiction]

It starts as a choice. Turns into an addiction that you feel you NEED to fulfill.

[BeautifulDisaster]

^^ I agree 100%.

I'm glad someone gets it.

[Project Delta]

It starts as a choice. Turns into an addiction that you feel you NEED to fulfill.

All addictions can be broken. BY CHOICE... its just a harder choice than continuing with it

[BeautifulDisaster]

Addictions can be broken by choice, but it doesn't mean they are a choice.
You do not choose to have an addiction, just like you do not choose to have a MH illness or disorder, which could actually be the cause of the addiction in the first place.

[Ryhanna]

It is a choice...
I mean, no offence but you don't HAVE to hurt yourself. You can avoid temptation. You choose to stop.

Yeah, there are some illnesses which will make you do it, but a lot of people ho cut do't have these issues. They're only issue is being depressed which makes them want to cut, or so i believe.

Addictions can be broken by choice, but it doesn't mean they are a choice.
You do not choose to have an addiction, just like you do not choose to have a MH illness or disorder, which could actually be the cause of the addiction in the first place.

A lot of people seem to disagree with you, so maybe it's just you who didn't have a choice.

I mean, it is a choice, you can always say no and not do it. But just because something drives you to do it doesn't mean you don't have a choice.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Depression is a MH illness.

& clearly we are not going to agree, but I am going to keep expressing my opinion, whether you all like it or not. =)

edit:

A lot of people do agree with me, actually, from the dozens of people I've spoken to this about.

[Beautiful Obsession]

I think it could go both ways, it could be your choice to cut, then realise it makes you feel better about yourself or calm you down, then everytime you get stressed you cut, then you start to rely on cutting, maybe then gett addicted and cant stop. but i think it starts as a choice, but then after doing it so much you just feel the need to cut. x

[Mattasaur94]

In my opinion,
In most cases you do have a choice, BUT, and this is liekly in some cases, due to some mental illnesses you have breif periods of time where you cannot control your actions, I think, personally, whether or not self-harm is a choice is completely and utterly up to the person and their circumstances.
I can see where Aimee is comming from, I can see where alot of other people are comming from. Unless you've been in the situation where you can not control your actions or prevent yourself from cutting yourself, then it's incredibly hard to put your self into that situation. Majority of rational thoughts tell you, "No, this is a choice, what you are doing is of your own free will..." but in majority of the situations, whilst you might be screaming "no" at yourself you can't help it, your body acts on its own accord.

Thats my opinion, anyway.

[Project Delta]

You controll your actions through all mental stages except for blackouts. Therefore even under extreme circumstances you chose whether to or not.

[Gumleaf]

moving: self harm >>> ramblings of the wise

[JackOfClubs]

It is a choice. Nobody has the power to make you harm yourself; you can tell yourself not to.

[benja]

lol, People with self harm do admit they have problems, wow, you seriously are ignorant & have no clue about half the people in this world.

&& I've been seeing mental health professionals since I was 7, I'm very aware that I have MH issues, I have multiple MH diagnosis', I'm not saying I don't, lol, I'm saying it's pathetic & shallow to compare a life with someone else

and you continue cutting yourself after all that treatments??? woww you are seriously ill or your doctors are not so good!
off: well i always compare my life with other people like gandhi ,Jesus Christ ,Mandella,etc.i see them as my prototypes towards life.I want in some way be like them! do similiar things they have done. i make an effort:)
well if u think that is pathetic & shallow to compare a life with someone else, well i respect u is your opinion:) .

pd:falkland islands are from argentina lol:P

bye

[Project Delta]

Actually some treatments affect other people differently. And sometimes when your in deep it takes a LOT of time to get you out.

[Dorsum Oppel]

Your know, "choice" is a messy word. Not all choices are yours. People and life influence you, and can lead you to make different choices.

But what does it really matter? You can quit or not, who cares if it was your choice, it happened.

[Sapphire]

Even in the grips of an addiction, you still have a choice.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Addictions are not choices.
You do not choose to have an addiction, just like you don't choose to have a mental health illness.

Wow, ignorance is so not a bliss for those on the receiving end of it.

[Permanence]

hahah and you continue cutting yourself after all that treatments??? woww you are seriously ill or your doctors are not so good!! 10 years of treatments!!

Grow up.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Don't worry, I've reported him & I've personally PM'd him myself.

Thanks though.

[Permanence]

Reported too.

I just think it's super immature and insensitive, especially to those who are trying to recover from any mental illness. I'm on my 9th medication after 6 years and I'm still psychotic, that doesn't mean I'm not trying, ya'know?

[Atonement]

Addictions are not choices.
You do not choose to have an addiction, just like you don't choose to have a mental health illness.

Wow, ignorance is so not a bliss for those on the receiving end of it.

1. Addictions are a choice. Always are. You choose to indulge, it may feel like you can't, but that is what an addiction is. You also make a choice to not seek therapy and help.

2. Self harm is not a mental illness. At least, not how I see it. It is a behavioural pattern that causes disability and distress through the pattern. Now, do you choose the behavior? Yes. You do. Everytime. There is never a time when you are not in control of your own body and its actions. Peiod.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Yeah, I know...

I'm really sorry it's caused upset for you too, please try & not let him get to you, hopefully something will be done. xx

I'm not even bothering with this thread anymore lol, it's really pathetic now, & it's getting tiring even bothering with it.

So, If you wanna chat hun, PM me.
<3

[INFERNO]

Self-harm is a choice because you're doing it to yourself. Your mental state can certainly influence your choice but it's not going to force you to do so. Take for example the act of popping pills and over-dosing due to depression. Having depression as a mental illness doesn't cause you to do any of these. The changed neurophysiology doesn't cause you do to any of these. It definitely influences it but it doesn't cause it.

To me, if one says self-harm is not a choice, then tattoos, drinking alcohol to a point of vomiting or passing out or exposing yourself naked to strangers are not choices. To me, all are choices. Drugs, mental illness and odd behaviors and beliefs are factors but do not force you to do self-harm or other actions.

[Ryhanna]

Depression is a MH illness.

& clearly we are not going to agree, but I am going to keep expressing my opinion, whether you all like it or not. =)

edit:

A lot of people do agree with me, actually, from the dozens of people I've spoken to this about.

Whatever. It's a choice. Just because something drives you to do something doens't mean you have to do it. Drop the subject and NEXT.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Ryan, you just contradicted yourself.
Just stfu & move the hell on from my opinion.
It's boring me now.

[Sapphire]

Addictions are not choices.
You do not choose to have an addiction, just like you don't choose to have a mental health illness.

Wow, ignorance is so not a bliss for those on the receiving end of it.
I never said that someone chooses to have an addiction. I really wish you would stop talking as if I have.

But even when one is in the grips of an addiction, they have a choice whether to give into it or not. In the midst of an addiction, one is more likely to give into it than they are to resist. But part of the recovery process is choosing not to give into it and opting for healthier outlets.

It doesn't always feel like you have that choice, but you do.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Well, quite clearly everyone here is saying you choose to have an addiction, with that, then you don't have an addiction, because nobody chooses to be addicted to something.

&& I'm outie.

Continue your lovely debate, I really can't be doing with heated topics right now, I'm just stating that for me, and for dozens of people I've spoken to, it is not a choice, just because it starts out as one doesn't mean it continues as one or doesn't become something else other than a choice.

Adios.
<3

[Sapphire]

Ugh, when will you start listening?!

I'm not saying that people choose to have an addiction.
I am saying that people choose whether or not to resist an addiction.
This is supported by the fact that people on the road to recovery have to actively choose to resist the urges.

I know what I am talking about as I have had the unfortunate experience of having had two addictions.

[PoisonedRazorBlades]

I think that the first act of self harm is a choice... But after that, or whenever it turns into an addiction, it's no longer a choice. I know that I personally don't think about what I'm doing when I do it. But definitely the first time is a choice in my opinion.

[BeautifulDisaster]

Urgh, when will you start moving on?!
Shesh!


I'm standing by what I've said, sure the first cut or behavior is a choice, after that, it no longer becomes a simple choice. It becomes an addiction. I'm fully aware you can recover, I'm not oblivious to that, I've had plenty of addictions & recovering in many MH illnesses/disorders.
All I'm saying is just because it begins as a choice, does not mean it simply stays as one. It develops into something much more than just a flipping choice.

[Death]

Of course it's a choice. Maybe you are suffering from grief or depression, but it's still your hand and you are still physically manipulating yourself into penetrating your skin. You control your body; it does not control you. Note that this post was not directed at any person in particular; I'm merely voicing an opinion.

[Sapphire]

Urgh, when will you start moving on?!
Shesh!I have moved on, thank you very much. That is why I no longer cut or have phone/cyber sex.

I'm standing by what I've said, sure the first cut or behavior is a choice, after that, it no longer becomes a simple choice. It becomes an addiction. I'm fully aware you can recover, I'm not oblivious to that, I've had plenty of addictions & recovering in many MH illnesses/disorders.I never asked you to change your opinion. All I have asked is for you to actually listen to what I am saying.
Once you are in the grips of an addiction, it never feels like you have a choice. The feeling that this is the only way out is overwhelming a lot of the time.
But that does not detract from the fact that you can choose to let yourself continue to be a victim or you can choose to fight back and stop cutting or taking drugs or drinking (or whatever your poison of choice is).

All I'm saying is just because it begins as a choice, does not mean it simply stays as one. It develops into something much more than just a flipping choice.
It develops into an addiction which is really hard to fight. But the result of the fight is not a forgone conclusion and you do have the ability to fight against every urge that comes along. The tragedy is that we rarely realise this and give in very often thinking that this one will either be the last one or will fix everything.

[BeautifulDisaster]

lol I meant MOVE ON FROM MY OPINION.

It's boring.

[Sapphire]

lol I meant MOVE ON FROM MY OPINION.

It's boring.
Your opinion is boring? Ok...who else wants to speak since we have a contributor who is degrading her own clout in this particular debate? :P

[BeautifulDisaster]

I'm certain you knew what I meant, but whatever lol.
Twist it how you will.

Au revior.

[Sapphire]

Lol, sorry but the temptation was too great at the time :P

[Project Delta]

Nice debating there Sapphire. I totally agree. It does feel like its not a choice but like i said before. IT is at all times unless in the case of a blackout you have no control over your body. So that's the only time when you can say that its not a choice.

[Aspiringanonymous]

I can honestly see the argument going both ways. Sometimes, definitely, the undesirable experience is within one's control, but not always.

These are forces that not only influence emotions and sensations, but logical thinking patterns as well. Beliefs, values, perceptions, everything can be distorted and manipulated. Of course, one of the first novelties that occur is one's own reinforcement of the idea that the influence should not, and cannot be acted against - although it may or may not be true at the time.

I believe that everyone has a threshold, a point of danger if you want to call it, beyond which they are no longer able to defend against inner antagonists without significant intervention from an outside source. This is where 'it develops into more than just a choice'.

With time and effort, thresholds can be enlarged. Hence the fact that those with recovery experience are less susceptible in general, than those without.

I speak from experience; I have been the firmest believer in lack of free will for the longest time, as my 'recovery' was purely the result of a succession of events that happened to me. If they did not, I know that I would - and truly, could not - have done anything to change the perpetrating circumstances.

However, recently I have been introduced to a new perceptive angle to the issue. When in any boding internal conflict, one originally possesses clarity of mind, one does face the decisive choice of drawing back and exercising control over the forces, or letting go and allowing it to take control for itself.

"Chaos demands the reality of responsibility."

[Seeker94]

I agree with Aimee but I also say it is on somewhat of a branch of choices. The first time is only half a choice but one no the less. As it was for me I was making a point but later I found out that it was because I was deppressed from then I began to cut (still do) but it's not like I dont wanna stop....after a point then it becomes an addiction of all the things that go through your blood to heal that cut. It's not a choice for many reasons. 1. Being that you feel the only way to get through something is to cause pain. To show that it does hurt just like it would everyone else and 2. Because you feel it is your last chance in many to get rid of the burden.

[Sapphire]

Just because you feel that it's the only thing that will help doesn't mean that you can't choose not to do it and to try something else instead.
Your emotional state is a big factor in self harm but it is not the only factor and it definitely does not render you incapable of choosing to do something else.

[LovelessNightmare]

Yes I do think self harm is a choice,Maybe because they feel better when they do it...

[Kahn]

Yes. The first time you put the blade to your arm it's a choice, the second third or anytime after that you feel like you need to. It's really a choice, and then you feel the need.

[janjanTRIP_]

There are illnesses that drive people to do it, upon then, it is not a choice. But in most cases, the illnesses intensify the drive to hurt one's self, yet are still able to be resisted. Schizophrenia is one of those few illnesses that someone can't control. Yet, it is still a choice to be treated and helped. You do choose. Always. Whether to pick up a blade or to get help for some psychosis, you choose.

Addition has to have a start. The first one is your own decision. And therefore a choice. Psychosis doesn't cause self harm. Its your choice to start. BUT once you've done it the first time. Then it becomes an addiction. But an addiction has to have the choice first time to become what it is

None of those disorders show that a choice to self harm isn't made. All they show is that ones mental state affects the reason and the amount of relative control behind such a choice.
With DID, the alter that self harms makes the decision to do so.
With schizophrenia and other forms of psychosis, the choice to self harm is also present. It is simply made in relation to the fantasy world of the individual rather than in relation to reality.

Addictions all stem from intended actions and intended actions have to be chosen.


Yes, I believe its a choice. I believe that just about everything is a choice.

And about addictions - addictions can be broken which still makes it a choice.

You choose whether or not to do it every time. You don't have to do it and you don't need to.

We choose to make the first cut. We choose to repeat it. We choose to let it control us. Ultimately, we choose whether we continue to surrender to it or whether we fight it and reclaim that control.

this pretty much covers it all, in my opinion.

[Salvi]

Of course it is the person decides to cut themselves or hurt themselves no one decides for them

[Camazotz]

Self-harm is a choice, just like not harming oneself is a choice. Unless you have an inability to control your actions, it's always a choice. It might be a less clear choice to people with mental instabilities. Regardless, it's a choice.

[Watchfulness]

Yes, self-harm is a choice hence the word "self".

[Evermore]

first they're saying homosexuality isn't a choice, now you can't help self-mutilation t next overeating is not a choice?

[Marcie]

It starts as a choice. Turns into an addiction that you feel you NEED to fulfill.

Yes it turns to an addiction, but it's still a choice. You never need to cut of self injure of an kind.

[georgiamay]

i think it starts off as a choice definately...but then once your addicted its not anymore.

You chose to make the first cut, or burn or bruise or whatever, but if you do get addicted, it stops being a choice in someways...i mean, you still can choose to stop, but i remember when i did it, i used to not realise i'd actually done it until i looked down and saw it. But i made the choice to start.

[INFERNO]

It still is a choice even when addicted, it's just a lot harder to oppose the desire or craving but it's still a choice. You still choose to pick up the knife or whatever the device is and self-mutilate and still have a will do oppose it, just building up the strength to go against it is hard in addictions. I suppose it's not "free" choice because you are being heavily influenced to engage more than disengage.

[Stolen Memories]

Self-harm...

I stopped... I made a choice to start... I made a choice to stop... well.. I didn't make the choice to stop, but I did...

[Antares]

Of course.
I don't think anyone can actually argue that a person has the natural instinct to pick up a knife and cut themselves when they are sad.
Its a learned behavior/mechanism therefore it is a choice. Sure it can get a little...addicting after a bit but it is still a choice. Just like meth addicts make the choice to smoke meth.

[1_21Guns]

If your mind tells you its the only option you have left, its going to make everything feel better and you'll be okay, then your clearly going to try it, personally I don't think its a choice as such, however its also true no unknown force makes you do it. I think its all mind games somewhat.

[Sapphire]

If your mind tells you its the only option you have left, its going to make everything feel better and you'll be okay, then your clearly going to try it, personally I don't think its a choice as such, however its also true no unknown force makes you do it. I think its all mind games somewhat.
This implies that you have no control over your mind and actions based on such thoughts which simply isn't so.

You can control your mind and you can control your actions.

If I get angry and think "I wish I could kill him/her" it doesn't mean that I can't control that thought or that I will try to kill him/her because I thought about doing it.

As a self harmer, you make the choice to try it and to do it again and again.
No one would argue that a murderer doesn't have a choice to murder or not to murder - this works on the very same principles.

[1_21Guns]

This implies that you have no control over your mind and actions based on such thoughts which simply isn't so.

You can control your mind and you can control your actions.

If I get angry and think "I wish I could kill him/her" it doesn't mean that I can't control that thought or that I will try to kill him/her because I thought about doing it.

As a self harmer, you make the choice to try it and to do it again and again.
No one would argue that a murderer doesn't have a choice to murder or not to murder - this works on the very same principles.

That is very true, sorry, I don't watch the way I word things at times.

[DayBreakArt]

I think it's sort of like smoking. So, you choose to take the cigarette (take the knife), then you choose to light it (bring the knife to your wrist) then take the first puff (cut yourself). From then your body either rejects it and you will probably never do it again because you didn't like the feeling or your body becomes addicted and you feel as if you need it and it's difficult to stop. As for self harm being a choice, I think to a certain degree is it but I also think it's an addiction.

[1_21Guns]

I think it's sort of like smoking. So, you choose to take the cigarette (take the knife), then you choose to light it (bring the knife to your wrist) then take the first puff (cut yourself). From then your body either rejects it and you will probably never do it again because you didn't like the feeling or your body becomes addicted and you feel as if you need it and it's difficult to stop. As for self harm being a choice, I think to a certain degree is it but I also think it's an addiction.

agreed.

[Sapphire]

I think it's sort of like smoking. So, you choose to take the cigarette (take the knife), then you choose to light it (bring the knife to your wrist) then take the first puff (cut yourself). From then your body either rejects it and you will probably never do it again because you didn't like the feeling or your body becomes addicted and you feel as if you need it and it's difficult to stop. As for self harm being a choice, I think to a certain degree is it but I also think it's an addiction.
Neither of these two examples are accurate because (a) no one gets addicted to them after the first time and (b) your body isn't what develops an addiction, your mind is. Your body develops tolerance and dependency.
There is a huge difference between a smoking addiction and an addiction to self harm - you don't build up a physical dependency or tolerance for self harm

One has to come to depend psychologically on self harm, so they have to choose it over and over again, to develop an addiction. From there on, they will feel like they have to satisfy every urge but there is always the choice not to.

I can completely understand why people are arguing against it being a choice all the time. But the reality is that we always have a choice.