Hello,

I'd like to start off by saying that I'm not trying to convince you that you're wrong, because it seems pretty clear to me that you've somehow convinced yourself that self-injury is perfectly OK. I believe you are in denial, but that won't be changed by reading some stranger's opinion. That being said, this is what I personally think about self-injury:

For me, I once thought it was a healthy option, as opposed to merely ending my life. However, it's not a good coping skill. There's the obvious reason that physical damage could occur that requires stitches, or cuts/scratches could get infected. For me, I never got to that point, but all of my scars have stayed with me and I have to live with that. So the fact that it's a potential health hazard is one negative aspect.

But the bigger thing for me is that, when someone numbs by self-harming, using drugs, drinking alcohol, or whatever it is, they are clouding over the true issues. I think it's crucial that the person figures out WHY they're cutting/scratching/burning themselves. Why the need to feel physical pain? Usually, it's due to emotional issues inside that need to be addressed. For me, it was during times of deep depression, or suicidal thinking, that I would grab the knife to distract myself. Seeing the blood was a temporary comfort.

Key word: TEMPORARY. It did not last long at all, and the guilt/pain I felt afterwards was way more than that small amount of so called "comfort". So, I got help, figured out why I cut, and what triggered it. Came up with healthy coping skills/activities to do when the urges came up, activities that I truly enjoyed!

I haven't cut in about 6 months now, hardly feel tempted, and when I am, I do a little inner detective work to figure out what triggered me. Yes, self-injury does have a stigma. It is not as well understood as other negative coping mechanisms...there is the unfortunate "emo" label out there. But it is a serious issue, whether you think so or not. I hope that, in your own time, you will see that self-injury is not a solution.