Age of those who self injure

I'm wondering if there is an average age for folks who self injure. Unfortunately I self injure at times but I appear to be older than most folks who do. Are any of you middle aged or do you know people in their 40s,50s, and above who self injure? Thanks.

I am 47. Was 12 the first time.

I started when I was 14. I'm 17 now and I am very close to quitting completely. I think it's more common amongst teenagers and young adults, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones.

i started when i was 8, i'm 26 now

56. I actually haven't cut in about a year, but I still struggle with the urges. (It's getting to be less and less of a problem, though.)

(I think that people who SI who are older may just not be posting about it on the internet forums.)

I was a child when it started maybe 7 or 8 years old and I am 25 now. I have notions and urges so I don't SI all the time. Just now and again.

I agree with Fartraveler... maybe older people don't post about it!!

I am 37 and do feel like a "stupid kid" when I s/h - really relieved to hear that others who are older do it too.....

I am 43....

Thank you all for you comments! They are all very helpful. I am 47 and thought I was all alone. I agree that older folks like some of us on this forum don't post about it. I wish they would. It might be helpful. I SI when I'm depressed which means I do it alot. I'm so scared I can't wear a bathing suit without a shirt over it. Thanks again everybody.

i started when i was 21, i'm 35 now. i guess i started kinda late.

I was about 10...I'm 14 now.

I'm a youngin, and I know three other kids my age who do it too....

You're never alone. Not ever. ;-) don't forget it! X3

I'm 17, I started when I was very young, around 6-7 maybe younger.

After seeing your thread I did some research and although I couldn't really find an average age, what I've read says the highest rates of self injury are between the ages of 12-34 for males, and between 13-24 for females. I don't know if that helps at all though lol

Thank you Ebpm. I was a youngin too when I started. I dearly hope that are not still SIing when you're my age. It's a terrible way to scare up your body and your mind.

Hang in there and keep talking to us!

i was around 7-8,

i am 14 now

I'm 36...
spring/summer is hardest with trying to wear long sleeves in hot weather... spring here now.

31 here and just started this year. I couldn't tell you why. I'm doing better now and haven't SI'd in about a month and a half.

I'm 25, started in my early teens. I've met older women who did it. My hope is most of the older folks have overcome the addiction.

36. Started at 14. T said it can carry into adulthood, but usually starts young.

Had some minor issues with it when I was 15 and so and off and on, and then got really bad in my 30's and I am 36 now and my arms look like road maps and my legs like some have mentioned are not bathing suit worth, or stomach either....I still battle now! Glad to know that there are others out there in this age group, sometimes you feel very odd at this age? Thanks for this thread, however whatever age I am sorry any of us go thru this AT ALL

I started trying to make myself sick/wanted to die at about 5, the cutting didnt start until 30s, suicidal ideation began at 5 and still continues, suicide attempts began around 18 continuing into my 30s. There is a lot of recent research about people who are self-harming and developing eating disorders in their 30, 40s now...vs. teens, those beginning puberty ,stuff like that. You are definitely not alone. Sometimes i think the world is just too demanding now everything changes so quickly and one has to be so flexible and able to adjust and adapt quickly....so much to ask.

I SI'ed the 1st time in 1978, when I was 23, I'm 56 now. It really got to be a major problem for me from the late 80s thru 2004. After alot work..... 1 on 1 therapy, groups, multiple hospitaizations..... (Note:not all folks have all the "baggage" I worked thru) The last time I SI'ed was 2004. I've thought about it at times, come close a time or 2, but except once 4 months ago I've learned skills to recoginze the emotions, most of the time, and deal with, that lead to the need to SI.
Know that there is both hope and help out there (or here) People DO care and when things look their darkesst, take time to breathe, just slow down and breathe..........

Chris

My kind of self harm is a bit strange. Sometimes I burn myself but a lot of the time I go to a drunk fighter who's better than me and bother them until they beat me senseless. I started the burning when I was around thirteen and the beating when my brother died (I was 25). Right now I'm 31.

I have been cutting since i was 13 am 33 now that is 20 years of doing this

Started when i was 13 and i'm now 21

I am 31. I don't cut.. did a little when I was a teen. But mostly I scratch myself repeatedly... usually with safety pins. And if I'm in a situation where I feel trapped and scared I pinch or gouge my skin. Like grabbing handfuls of flesh and digging my nails in. Old habits die hard..