Adults & Self Harm?

I never did anything SH until I was in my 40's. Then I started hitting myself out of frustration over one issue that has been my downfall. I have told everyone close to me about it, even though it is embarrassing because I want it to stop. I'm afraid the solution is simply to remove the trigger, which is my husband.

Thank you for your response. I do work out 2-3 hours a day, except on Saturdays when it gets closer to 4. It helps I think. I live in an old apartment - thin Walls, thin floors. Once last winter my neighbor left a note by the door because she could hear me crying. Not sure about the downstairs neighbors but the first-floor people left a note for the second-floor people saying their TV was too loud, so....I feel like everyone can hear me and I have already destroyed clothing tearing it apart in an effort to not bang my head or cry loudly. I don't know what I can do that everyone else won't be able to hear me melting down.

I have known many older women that SI, but hide it well because they have children. I am one of them.

My SI (cutting) started when I was 16 and the last time I cut was when I was 22. I’m now 41 so it’s been 19 years that I haven’t done it, but the urge is always there, it’s always in the back of my mind when I’m upset. Just 2 days ago I was upset over something and just wanted to do it, but I didn’t.

I sure wish it was that easy. I went through a phase of getting tattoos. I had a weird episode where I decided to tattoo over the scars on both my legs. You can still see the scars through the tattoo, raised and thick, even though they are at least 8 years old. It doesn't help that I thought a razorblade was a good idea in that tattoo. Like I said, it was a odd episode.

That an tattoos on my arms isn't a good idea. I feel it would draw more attention to the area.

I'm glad to know there are other adults who self injure. Sometimes it feels as if this is a huge taboo happening that only those below 18 are allowed to do and I feel isolated.

I was 15 when I first started. I did it constantly until 17, then I had periods where I didn't do it and I thought I was recovered. I was able to not cut myself for years, but then, for some stressful events, I turned to my old habits. Last time I hurted myself was 2 weeks ago and I'm 22 now. When I was a teenager and I read articles about self harm, there were people who said "it's a thing only teenagers do, then when you'll be adult you will be able to cope with your emotions and problems". I thought that maybe I would outgrow from this.
But now I still think about it. I think it's different from everyone. But I think there are plenty of adults who self harm. Plus self harm can take many forms, not only hurting your skin. A common myth is that SH is only present in teenagers. And this is not true. It's not like you wake up one day, at 20, and you say "I'm an adult, no more self harm!". Its an addiction, your body and mind are addicted to this coping strategy, recovering from this is a long road with ups and downs, and relapses too.

It's ok, I started when i was 18, already an adult, now i'm 23.