Self Destruction

don't be ashamed and don't feel alone... there are a lot of people espeically women that cut... i too have cut before, and for a very long time!! i am sorry that u r hurting that much on the inside u wanted "show yourself" the pain... if u want to talk more, feel free to PM me anytime!! we r all here for u!!

I was a highly addicted cutter for many years. I remember the first time I cut myself after becoming a mother, how bad I felt.

If you ever want to talk to someone when you feel like you need to cut, Girl-mom has put together a Crisis Line, a network of phone numbers you can call for around-the-clock support.

Here are some things I did to curb my tempation when I first quit:

- Squeeze ice. This hurts, but leaves no mark and does no permanent damage.
-Get a washable red marker and draw on yourself everywhere you want to cut. Press the pen hard into your skin if you have to. You can wash it off when you feel better and it wont do any real damage to your body.

Good luck, and don;t forget there are girls here who would happily talk to you on the phone when you're about to lose control.

I've totally been there. Totally.
Are you seeing a therapist? I would definitly start. I have found that I cut when I'm too full of emotion, I can't handle what's going on. It's so addicting.

I began running (I hate running, but it makes my legs hurt -- and the endorphins afterwards are great!), using ice, using my fingernails instead of a knife, etc.
The best thing I ever did was to go and see a therapist and realize other things that I can do.
If you need to talk to anyone, please get ahold of the crisis list we have here, any of the mamas would be more than happy to talk to you until you have a better handle on things.

Hey, I hope things are going better today for you. Just take it one day at a time, and when the urge comes, try out the suggestions that the other women have mentioned. I admit that I know very little about cutting, but I do know that it's not uncommon and there are ways to get help for it.

Try not to feel ashamed, or like you've done something wrong. Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, and the best that we can do is move on just trying to cope, hoping that the next day will be just a little bit better.

Get the crisis list, and call someone whenever you're feeling this way, or when you're alone or just if you need someone to listen. I'm home a lot these days so if you want my number or msn or something, PM me and I'll be happy to talk to you.

Good luck, and let us know in which ways we can help.

I don't think you should feel ashamed about it either. I hope you are doing better though. I would recommend a therapist and as bettycrockerpunkrocker said, that crisis line would help...

I have never been there, but have friends who have. Just remember you are not alone and I am glad you could say something about it and ask for advice...

I really don't know much about it either, but I just wanted to say I had a friend that cut, and when she quit she wore a rubber band around her wrist and snapped it against her skin every time she had the urge to cut. I don't know where she got the idea but it helped her.