[JenIsAlwaysSick]

Would you consider getting a tattoo if you used to be a cutter? Is it a good idea to get tattoos if you used to cut, or do you think tattoos could become an addiction and/or push you back to cutting again?

[bronzeowl]

Good question. I think, however, that since someone else would be giving me the tattoo that I, personally, wouldn't associate it with SH in my mind.

[Nemo39122]

I agree with what bronzeowl said, and I also think alot of it depends on the motivation behind getting the tattoo. If you can think of why you would want it (anything from it having a deep personal meaning to you, to just thinking it would look cool), then it should be fine. If you don't know why, maybe it's some sort of hidden SI urge. That's just my opinion though. I know there's alot of concern and confusion surrounding past/current SI and tattoos, and I think alot of it depends the combination of the person, the reason for the tattoo, and even the reasons they did/do SI. So, and I know this is the least helpful line ever, but it depends on you. You know the reasons behind it, you know how you feel. (I would hope so, anyway)

I've considered getting tattoos before, and don't think it would have any connection to SI for me personally. (The only reason I haven't is I don't know what to get, lol)

One last thing though, maybe avoid getting a tattoo when feeling very depressed/anxious/whatever led you to SI in the past, as that may increase the chance of creating a connection between the two. Just a theory.

[Indie'sOK]

If I were going to SI, I wouldn't do it through tattooing. Expensive! But I used to self-harm, and I can't wait to get tattooed. Some people might argue that all tattoos acquired by a former cutter are yet another way to SI...I beg to differ. Do whatever makes you feel good or gives you self-confidence. If it's tattooing, even better - art heals, after all

[kaliope]

I have been a cutter and I have gotten tatoos. I very much liken the experience of getting a tatoo to cutting in that it feels the same to me. I describe it like dragging a razor blade across your skin. But I cant say that getting a tatoo has ever made me long for cutting or that I have thought to get a tatoo when I have felt self-destructive. I have known people though that have used tatoo as a form of self -harm. They do it because they enjoy the pain, but rationalize it away as art. so your questions are best answered on a case by case basis. as nemo said, it would depend onthe person.

I have several tattoos...

I'm not sure the two are directly related, but: I did only start self harming after I started getting tattoos. One thing that struck me about the tattooing process is that I liked the pain in a weird kind of way. A considerable amount of time later, my reaction to one particular distressing event was to try and get over it by getting a tattoo (I suppose a way of journalling it, externalising the pain, and accepting it.) I knew I couldn't go get a tattoo every time I felt bad, and perhaps this contributed to my feeling compelled to cut... to try and get that same 'rush'... though I'm not sure I really made a conscious decision to self harm, it just happened - very small scalpel cuts at first, progressing to larger knife cuts that scarred more noticably - and that, ironically, I'm considering attempting to cover up/disguise with another tattoo someday, to represent getting over this difficult chapter in my life.

Though I used a tattoo to externalise the pain that one time, I can't say that if I'd never got tattooed I would never have self harmed. I think it's just the way things worked out for me.

I don't think getting tattoos would necessarily push you back into cutting -- in fact, I recently got a tattoo to symbolise getting rid of negative feelings, and every time I feel tempted to hurt myself, I look at the tattoo and what it represents, and find it easier to quash the urge (only a couple of minor relapses since.)

A friend of mine confided that he used to self harm, but actually stopped when he started getting tattoos. He found the process helpful in recovery. He has a back piece that he adds to once a year.

A complicated question, to which I've given a complicated answer... sorry if it's not much help! I guess in the end it depends on your personal circumstance, views, and motivations.

[nicoleb2]

If you are doing it for the pain, then maybe it's not the best plan, but if you are doing it because you want a specific one or are getting one that has a special meaning, maybe it's ok

[JenIsAlwaysSick]

I never considered enjoying the pain as a motivation to get a tattoo. I got a couple of piercings and did NOT enjoy the process AT ALL, so as it's not the pain that draws me to the tattoo but just the desire to have a tattoo and use my body as a canvas to express myself, then I guess it would be okay. Good advice, though, on making sure I don't do it when I'm really down. I'm turning 30 at the end of the year, and I plan on getting my first tattoo for my birthday...something that is actually a reminder of healing and to love myself whenever I look at it. So I think it's a good thing.

Thank you all for your responses. I really appreciate it.

[manicminer]

I know that I got quite a release from both the tattoos I have gotten. The artists looked at me like I was a freak when I told them I enjoyed the pain and they saw the goosebumps and the hair stand up on the back of my neck from the euphoric feeling I was getting. This has made me def. want to get more tats, more elaborate ones so they take longer and i can enjoy the pain for a longer period of time. I'm not addicted that I can tell, I havent been rushing back and blowing money to get more like I do with nocitine and alcohol, things I know I'm addicted to.
Hope this helps and best wishes

[gagrl]

I have a huge number of tattoos all with a meaning for events/symbols in my life. I never got a tattoo in order to give in to a need to SI. Like others have said, picking a tattoo with a meaning for you is important. I have actually had many old scars covered by tattoos.

[life.is.lost]

I got two tattoos of swallow birds on my leg that I used to cut on. It wasn't to hurt myself more, just to try and stop me from continuing the SI. Swallows are a symbol of hope, so I thought it would have a good meaning to me. Now I have moved up to higher on my leg, but that's not the point.