Ive been cutting myself for about a year. It started as a stupid way of getting attention when I felt alone, and it really hurt! But now its become a real problem, il do it when anything slightly bad happens. If I don't get an essay question perfect il cut myself to punish myself. I only cut myself on my legs and places where people can't see the wounds, I do it so much now that when I do cut I can't feel the pain of it. I don't know what to do. The only person I could talk to about this was my boyfriend and wev recently split up ( not because of the cutting)

Self-injury/cutting - Issues - Revolution Health

Please look at this site, it might just help you get better educated in the behavior and symptoms you deal with.

You DON'T have to continue doing this, help and support are there, if your willing to try.(and I hope you are)

Ken

The site is very useful but its guna be so hard to try and stop, I don't want nasty scars over my body but finding another way of letting out my emotions is going to be difficult

Try something that will work out the emotions like exercise or dance. That way you will be helping your body and your psyche without scars.

Again, I state the word, WILLINGNESS,the desire to change is not going to come from outside you, It has to be a conscious decision on your part,and the effort to reach out to others who will help.

You are not alone in what you are doing,don't let the feelings that you have, make it so shameful that you don't seek the help you need.The first step is yours to make.

Ken

I do want to stop it. I really really do :(

Take one hour at a time. Decide to take control of your life and when you get the urge - do something else.

I suggest taking up some kind of creative outlet - writing stories, poems, or songs, etc, just to have something constructive you can do to both capture and release your emotions. Or, try art of some kind - painting, drawing, etc. that could help as well.

Hopefully this helps.

I too used to be a cutter. I have someone's initials and the words f-you on my arm, among may other scars. It's been 16 years since the initials, and 10 since the f-you, and they are just as apparent today as they were back then. It's really quite embarrassing at times.

So you may be asking, "How did you overcome it?" GREAT question! Sharing the secret of the cutting with someone who will hold you accountable. Instead of crying for help through cutting, cry for help out of your MOUTH!

I no longer cut on myself as a way to cope anymore, but I definitely still run into jams. When I do, I yell. I yell for help to anyone who will listen, because I know what happens if I don't.

I don't know how the Social Services system works in the UK, but making an appointment with your regular doctor is a start. There are also "Warm Lines" available for people who are having a tough time, but not necessarily suicidal.

I know that for me, I cannot entertain self-mutilation thoughts very long before it turns into more serious intentions. Good luck, and God Bless.