Sam2, I think it's amazing that you haven't self-harmed for 2 years now, especially since you said you had very little warning before you would hurt yourself. I'd love to know how you figured out how to go without it for that long. I'm coming up on 6 months since I last hurt myself and would be thankful for all the help I can get. I'm grateful you're still with us

MdngtRain, I've only ever had 1 flashback and it happened during a therapy session. It was incredibly hard to think because I felt like I couldn't even move/speak. My T said had me try some grounding techniques, but they seemed kind've weird to me. Do you use those or something else?

Nicoleb2--about the shame cycle, I hear you. When I first started self-injuring about 6 years ago, cutting was the only way I felt like I could do away with my feelings of inadequacy. It seemed like everyone else was managing with whatever their problems were; why couldn't I? Then, I'd feel badly about doing it, so I'd do it again to get rid of those feelings. I'd get angry about doing that to myself, so I'd let that out by cutting too. I cried and cried until I felt absolutely numb and just sat around staring at things. Then I'd do it again just to feel something because it was creepy not to feel. I still sometimes catch myself thinking in those cycles because it's such a habit! Have you figured out what your cycle is? Is it even the same everytime or is it different depending on what happened that day?