Yes, it's my experience too that SI increases in severity. I also think that once you've got used to using SI, the urge is still there, even if you are feeling emotionally better, because it's been kind of programmed into your brain now that if you feel a certain way - you SI and you feel the relief from it. I think it takes a while to react differently, and then you'd need something to have do instead of SI (but which hopefully would be less damaging).