[Samanthagreene]

How do you know when you're done with SI? When you'll never need it again? Is it even possible?

I haven't harmed in over 5 years. I still get urges.

I think perhaps it's like smoking or any other addiction you can stop but it's always going to be with you to some extent.

Dealing with it does get easier though. Practice makes perfect and all that jazz.

[jacq10]

I don't think it's ever possible to know... I went two years without SI and now it's back in my life on a semi-regular basis

[healingme4me]

It is possible. Haven't si'd since 1990.

Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

It's been nearly 4 months since I last SI'd and this is the closest I've felt to being over it...apart from when I stopped for 11 months about 7 years ago. But I don't believe I'm over it. Just because I'm fighting the urges now doesn't mean I won't give in later. Who knows?

[breakmystride]

I've gone nearly three weeks without self-harming, and the urges are already starting to get easier to ignore. But that might be because I'm on anti-depressants now.

I think it's probably one of those things that's different for everyone.

[Mysterygirl202]

Originally Posted by BeteNoire

I haven't harmed in over 5 years. I still get urges.

I think perhaps it's like smoking or any other addiction you can stop but it's always going to be with you to some extent.

Dealing with it does get easier though. Practice makes perfect and all that jazz.

This encouraged me! I'm at 1 1/2 years. And you know it's that point where everyone around you thinks you should be over it but its still there. It's encouraging to see people who have made it even longer!

[sacasa]

Personally, I went 3 and a half years without any SI, but then my mental illnesses started escalating and caused me to self harm again. I think with the right extended treatment it is possible, but I also that think everyone is different so it might not be possible for you in particular or any other individual who is struggling with SI.

I actually got over it when I was 16 (the start of the SI-free 3 and a half years) because it just stopped doing anything for me. It stopped giving me the release I needed when I was stressed or upset or guilty or depressed (or whatever else made me want to reach for something to injure myself with). And that was actually upsetting for awhile because I had no idea what else to do to help with my problems, but eventually that passed and I didn't think about it for a long time. So maybe if I hadn't become depressed and anxious again I might be SI-free but I couldn't say for sure.