Quote:
Originally Posted by The Skeezyks
I have to say that, from my perspective, your T asking why you keep cutting when you hate the scars so much, demonstrates a lack of understanding with regard to what's going on. Would it make sense to ask alcoholics why they keep drinking if they don't like what it's doing to their lives? Would it make sense to ask the same question of heroin addicts?
It's just my opinion, but I think of self-abuse as a form of addiction. We don't do it because we've thought about it & decided that it's worth the scars. We do it because we have to... because the compulsion to self-harm is so overwhelming that we cannot not do it.
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^^^ Good post ^^^
I have to agree. Hating your scars yet still self harming aren't mutually exclusive events. You don't cut because you like the look of your scars or not cut because you don't like the look of your scars - that is a complete lack of understanding of what self harm is about! I'd be concerned if my therapist said that to me.
Personally, for me, self harm is about not being able to cope in any other way - of not having the skills at that time to respond to emotions within and around me differently. I believe it is a form of addiction because I think we do get used to responding in the same way to a trigger if it works. In fact, it makes complete sense, self harm can make us feel better so we do it, then do it again - it reinforces itself. So until we find an alternative substitute or work through what it is that is causing us pain, we'll keep repeating that same pattern....regardless of whether we're ashamed of the ugly scars, or aware of the internal/external damage it is doing to our bodies.