[Espresso]

I guess I just don't understand why self injury is considered to be a bad coping mechanism. It works for me better than anything else I've tried. It doesn't hurt anyone else. It doesn't put me in danger. So what's the big deal? Why do they even care?

[Idiot17]

i've asked myself and others the same question countless of times. why the big deal with si??

Well, if it doesn't create potential for serious illness or injury, then it probably doesn't matter. But, if you're doing any type of serious self-injury, the chances are there are some potentially serious complications that could develop. And, here again, if there's no one in your life who cares about you, & you don't care, then I guess you're correct... it doesn't matter. But, in most cases, individuals have someone... a family member or a friend who want to keep you safe. Also, while you may feel that it doesn't matter now, in the future you may regret whatever permanent damage you may have done to yourself... (I speak from experience...)

[pudica]

There are some real dangers like you could accidentally cut a vein or get blood poisoning from non sterile blades and infections on open wounds. At least people care enough to tell you not to do it, would you be happier if they told you "go ahead cut yourself, it doesn't matter what happens to you"?

I agree with your premise that there is no "real" harm. But what I have also learned is that cutting works for awhile - but then you find it unsatisfying and you start to grow in intensity. And then a bigger problem begins to show up.....

Just my opinion....

My therapist told me once that when I self harm, I dissociate from my problem and don't deal with it. So it helps me in the short term but makes it harder for me to be helped in the long term. I don't know if I really believe that, but it's something to think about.

[Espresso]

Originally Posted by pudica

At least people care enough to tell you not to do it, would you be happier if they told you "go ahead cut yourself, it doesn't matter what happens to you"?

Yes, at least people care enough to tell me not to do it. I do appreciate that. But then it also doesn't help at all if they get angry at me for doing it.

Originally Posted by nevergoodenough

My therapist told me once that when I self harm, I dissociate from my problem and don't deal with it. So it helps me in the short term but makes it harder for me to be helped in the long term. I don't know if I really believe that, but it's something to think about.

Interesting.

[RTerroni]

Self harm is never good for you, trust me

My T said it is very addicting. If anyone other than me did it, I would think it was a big deal, but when I do it, no matter how bad, it doesn't count.