Hi- I am 53 years old and I have BPII and GAD. I didn't start self harm behaviors until February of 2014. I was on medical leave (I am a teacher) and I was experiencing extreme anxiety and distress. I began having these overwhelming urges to cut my arms. Spoke to my pdoc about it and we tweeked my meds. Since then, I still have the urges on occasion and I act on them. It's usually out of desperation, a way to fend off suicidal impulses, and it brings some emotional relief. I'm not proud of it, BUT, I feel like it is a coping mechanism that I need at times.