Someone very close to me does SI. I am at a loss about how to support them. My heart breaks every time I see the injuries. Depression and anxiety are also in the mix for that person. I am on the edge and my feelings just keep building. I feel so troubled about my feelings because they seem in conflict with each other. For example, on one side I have patience and sensitivity, but I also have fear and anger. The fear seems at times to take over everything. Fear that the person will die. Fear that this will go on for a long time. Fear that the SI will become worse. Anger is coming out also. I don't understand what makes a person want to cut themselves open and inflict pain on themselves willingly. I feel like all those cuts are cuts on my body - only I don't feel any better. I feel much worse. I encourage the person not to hide it, but it's so upsetting to see the damage. I try not to let it show but them after stuffing my feelings down I feel like I'm dying a slow death. I feel like I'm sinking under and there's no hope about getting out. It's a constant nightmare that never ends. I imagine it must be the same for the person who SI's. As I understand it, nothing this person has tried to distract themselves from injuring works - at least that's what they say. I feel like the SI has become an convenient way for them to cope with things rather than walk through whatever the situation is. I'm afraid - all the time. Afraid to go out, afraid to have a life, afraid what I might find when I get back, afraid to hope. I feel like my life force has been zapped from my body and there's no getting it back. I don't know what to do. I'm therapy for me, but my reality is all too frightening. I'm at a loss about what to do for the SI person or myself. If the person that does SI sees that I'm upset about it, it makes it worse for them. Then I have even more guilt that I may have cause more pain for that person. I'm going nowhere fast. I'm drowning and I need some support. Thanks for listening.