Youve just described perfectly my first experience of cutting. I was overwhelmed with the emotional pain, together with the confusion and struggle to be released from the emotional chains that were holding me at that time. It was an act of turning those feelings into something real, physical pain followed by a physical high and scars as proof of what i had been feeling. If SI is can be utilised in a 'healthy' way, perhaps that is it because its not often that you find yourself in that state. However, i seem to be doing it now to punish myself (like hope describes) and, maybe, others too. Is there a link between SI and the people that you feel have hurt or let you down?

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts with me.