Bipolar Support Group

It has absolutely nothing to do with attention. If you look back in history, it is also not uncommon to find mention of warriors or even whole civilizations cutting themselves. Native Americans did it as part of their mourning after the loss of a family member along with the shearing of their hair. So it's not just necessarily a "crazy" person thing.

There is a group here for those that "self harm" I believe someone told you that it is like a heroin addiction, it is done as a way of releasing certain chemicals that affect them.

Personally I believe it is two fold, one as a way of self punishment for things that might have not even happened, and two as a way of releasing the chemicals that the body produces, to achieve the "high" caused by this release.

Not being one that does, I can not say for sure the reasonings behind it.

I was once a cutter. I would get into so much self hatred and guilt that it was a release which helped me avoid suicide. I was unaware that it released certain chemicals. The urge to punish is very strong when in the depths of depression, at least it has been for me. It is not an attention getting thing. I did mine where it would not show. It really was a form of self punishment that gave me a release from the suicidal urge.

I had a nasty episode over the summer that culminated in me, in a bathtub wielding a razor blade. I think that the 21 cuts I inflicted upon myself were a combination of release, lashing out (literally), and substitution. I was so completely overwhelmed and out of control at the moment, that when I fixated on the razor (and results of the razor) that some part of my brain thought I was calming down and gaining control.

Fact: Cutting works.

Fact: If you cut, you need to get help because OTHER ways work better.

I am a member and a group leader of the Self Injury group here on MDJ. I can tell you from experience it is the out of control emotions that generally cause self harm. It is an addiction and can be controlled thru coping skills. Like all addictions it can be used as a coping skill too. I wish there was a better way to explain it, but that's the best I can come up with.

relieves stress and anxiety.Its not about trying to kill oneself.Just an option when you feel you need to release all that is inside.Actually its not as bad as it sounds.Not a great coping mechanism but a coping mechanism nonetheless.

For me, it was definitely not about trying to end my life. If anything, it was an attempt to cope enough so that I COULD live.

i used an x-acto knife.So martha of me. joking aside.if you do it try to find a therapist or someone to help. i still carry the scars(i wear long sleeve shirts or wide watch straps to hide the scars.

Not all self injurers injure to kill themselves. Like I said it is used as a coping skill when things get out of hand.

I broke a glass and used it. I still have the scars. They remind me of what I don't want to do anymore and by God's grace, I have not for years. Therapy is needed because even though it is a form of release, it is still self destructive and painful.