Wow, what a great question and I loved reading the variety of responses and view points that people shared.

Searching - you are quite amazing in the way that you have responded to everyone and thought about what they are saying. I think it really speaks to your name on this board and who you must be as a person.

When you I first read the post I thought about how often times I don't need anyone's help in SI'ing myself physically. I can cut myself and beat myself up better than any "tool" can do. I think it's what I did as a child and your question has helped to me start thinking about it. I decided very early that I was a failure and that nothing nor anyone could help and as I am learning now it protected me. Those beliefs were safer for some reason but as an adult that trauma has really created a choatic life.

As I am writing this I am trying to figure it out for myself and realize that without taking away what your experience it might be that emotional SI is just as dangerous or more as physical SI. The only scars are the ones that I have and no one can see those and unless I talk about what I am doing to myself no one knows.

Thanks again for giving me more another prespective on this. I am interested in hearing what other people have to say b/c I know for me now that I have tried to stop physically SI'ing I guess I am really dealing more with the emotional part of it.