My way of thinking pretty much echos what Rapunzel said. Cutting isn't about the physical damage. It doesn't matter if the wounds barely scratch the surface or if they require stitches every time. If you're cutting yourself, chances are it means that there's some underlying issue that needs to be addressed. Self injuring doesn't do anything to help resolve that issue. it just manages the symptoms so you can keep surviving day to day. As long as you depend on cutting as a coping mechanism, it'll be difficult or impossible to learn better, healthier, productive ways of dealing with life.

It's kind of like the alcoholic who reaches for a beer when stressed. Every alcoholic started with just one drink at one point. It seems harmless at first, and then it snowballs. In my experience, self injury works the same way.

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Rapunzel said:
Next time that I relapse, would somebody please remind me?

Rap

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Err, deal. && me too.

-Ren
(who has been dealing with this for 21 years and wishes that someone had told her a long time ago that the longer self injury allowed to continue, the harder it is to stop)