A choice?

Do you view self injury as a choice or as something you "have" to do?

i often wondered that too. I'm not sure because I really think that sometimes the state of mind that occurs with some people during a time of contemplating self harm or suicide its not really a choice or have to do it type of thing.

I don't wanna be flamed for this comment but when I was self harming and had suicidal thoughts, i don't think my state of mind was thinking about choosing, nor was it compelled to have to do harm either.

My state of mind was so frantic to stop the pain and thoughts. That when I self harmed i just wasn't thinking clearly but rather a compulsion to get rid of pain. So similar to 'have to do' but without the cognitive effort to reach a decision. Hope this makes sense.

Good topic

That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for your thoughts. I understand what you mean.

A little bit of both, for me.

Sometimes I used to make the conscious decision to engage in the behaviour.
Sometimes I just used to do it on an emotional moment without rationally thinking about it.

I agree with Christina. There are times where I would plan out when/where I was going to cut. But other times (and most often) it was an "in the moment" sort of action...which is usually filled with emotion and alot more severe.

another question....if it is not a choice, then is it mentally ill?

Do you mean is it a mentally ill thing to do? I'm not sure. Interesting question. I will have to think about that.

I meant is it a mentally ill thing to do. Is it mental illness? I wonder.......

It's a choice, just like suicide is a choice, and believing in delusions is a choice. But it's a choice made from a mentally ill place of mind. Is it a choice people have control over? Sometimes not. Sometimes I choose to self-injure rather than kill myself, or lose it with my kids. Sometimes the choice is the lesser of two evils. And sometimes, for me, it's the 'easy' way out, because I've become accustomed to it as a coping mechanism.

Personally...I don't think it is. People usually self harm when they feel so horrible; trapped; numb; helpless; hopeless and sad, they feel it's the only way out - because they have tried every solution and so desperately want to feel better: no alternative.

Self harm, though, is NOT a mental illness. Yes, it can be caused by feeling so bad because of a mental illness (such as depression) that you feel you have to...but therefore it's just a coping strategy: a bit like smoking but, in my opinion, worse.

So no I dont think it is a choice. And it is definately not a mental illness. Thoughts of self harm can be a symptom, but is feeling sad a mental illness ? No, it's just another symptom

I somehow disagree with parts of this. You say it's a choice in the first place, but is it ? Is feeling so bad that you want to kill yourself because you find no other way out a choice ? No. IMO, it is not.

But, that's IMO.

imo, ppl that suicide and self harm, don't have the ability to make a choice. They aren't rational at the time. If thier mind was rational then they would feel able to consider the other options.

Btw i have been a self harmer before. And these are just my reflections from not self harming for a while, but is not necessarily correct.

This is a very interesting topic. You have a choice to use coping skills, other than cutting. However, I completely understand, and have been there when it runs through your mind so quickly and the action just happens. I have been having a rough time with things, and could choose to cut over it all; however, in the end I will feel guilty, shame and anger for having done it. So I choose to deal with my feelings in a better way, distraction skills, opposite actions skills and such. Reaching out to trusted adults or therapist or even hotlines.
There are those that cutting is something that they want to do, it is there way of life kind of thing.