I started in my teens as a way to cope with being depressed. I'm 27 and an engineer of all things. Not the typical person you would think of doing it.

I don't think you are alone in it. Yes there are better ways to deal but like me your probably don't know what they are. I think a lot of adults self harm in one way or another. Alcholism, binge eating, etc. Doing things that don't make our lives any better for a little bit of instant gratification or to feel a little bit less like a failure.