Self-injury is a type of disorder. It's an addiction which is very hard to break without proper support systems. Cutting is not a compulsive behavior related to OCD. I would need a lot more information to guess whether or not you have OCD, which, of course, can only be diagnosed by a doctor, but simply not being able to control your cuttng or the need to cut in the same places is not at all related to OCD. People can have tendencies that are symptoms of this disorder or that disease or that problem, but when you look at the bigger picture you realize that those are just normal habits that make us human. Again, I can't diagnose your OCD or confirm whether it's possible you have it. I can say from experience that I have always had an obsession with compulsive hand washing and an intense irrational fear of germs, both of which are high indicators of OCD, but it doesn't mean I have it. It's just a habit of mine that makes me human. I used to take online tests to figure out what was wrong with me but when I was sure I was one thing it wasn't until I diagnosed that I figured out it was something completely different--bipolar disorder. You can't base your diagnosis on some online test, you NEED to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

As for your cutting, I also used to cut for two years. I enjoyed seeing the blood and the scars that proved something irrational to me, and I would get urges that felt so uncontrollable that I felt like I had no choice. I know what you are going through. You may feel like cutting is all you know right now, but that's not true. There is a strong, empowered spirit inside of you, supressed by the urges to cut, that is trying to tell you to be strong enough to face your own inner demons. It's is very tough, but it is possible for you to get help and quit cutting. Even after you have quit cutting, you will still feel urges for you to cut, and sometimes you will have an "accident" by cutting without the intention to continue to cut, but you just have to get back on your feet and try again.

DBT therapy has really helped me--dialectical behavioral therapy--for cutting. There it will teach you mindfullness and other ways for you to help yourself--the ultimate goal is to be able to fight your own demons without being dependent on others.

You need to see a therapist to help you get you through this tough time. I don't think possible OCD is your biggest concern, I think you need to find another outlet other than cutting.

--Dr. Skipper, 19, bipolar, ex self-injurer