Keep in my mind that this post could be a trigger.

I'm sure this has been done a million times, but I could really use your help. I am writing an article about self-injury to raise awareness, help those dealing with it, and to inform the ignorant people who think cutters are just looking for attention.

I used to be a cutter when I was about 13, stopped when I was about 14/15, and I know it's going to be a constant battle for the rest of my life. So this is the most important article I've written thus far and I could really use some honest answers from you guys.

Just copy and paste the following "questionaire" and fill it in...you can choose not to answer any of the questions, just please include the basic age, name, and sex (give me any name you want, i just need something to identify you with if i quote you).

Name:
Age:
Sex:
Location:
Age when you first self-injured:
How long have you been self-injuring (months, years):

What are/were some of your triggers (i.e. fights with parents, school work, getting dumped, etc.)?

What did you know about self-injury before you started? How?

What made you start self-injuring? (the specific incident or trigger if you can remember)

Why do/did you self-injure? How does/did it make you feel better?

How do/did you feel before, during, and after the self-injury?

Have there been any health scares that resulted from your self-injury (emergency room visits, etc.)? Did you continue to self-injure despite this?

If you've been to a psychiatric hospital could you describe your experience? Did it help you? Why or why not?

If you still self-injure do you think you will ever stop? Do you want to stop? Why can't/won't you stop?

If you don't self-injure anymore why did you stop? How did you stop? How hard is it to refrain from doing this?

Have you been diagnosed with any mental disorders? If so, which ones (OCD, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, etc.)?

P.S.- This article won't be turned in until January 31st, so you guys can keep posting all the way up until the 30th.

Oh, and I forgot to add that if any of you simply have something you would like people to know about self-injury that would be a big help as well. Pretty much any and all comments about self-injury are very welcome.

*I may have to clean up the internet speak (ppl=people, etc.) a bit because that's just how journalism works...generally speaking. If anyone has a problem with that please let me know.