Thanks Pegasus. I don't feel caring or supprtive at the moment though - I'm not being muc h help to anybody . I'm not sure about eh hurt-guilt cycle, I don't feel guilty about the cutting. Well, shame over hiding the scars. I do not usually practice any distraction techniques, but I have found that taking a bath helps to totally wipe my mind. I've noticed that cutting makes my mind go blank in a similar way. I can only tae one bath a week though.