[itsjustme111]

I used to cut myself. I have ugly scars and I can't stand looking at them. I have not cut in a long time. I do other things to hurt myself so I don't have to actually see it. Is that Odd?? I have been thinking about cutting or hitting, marking myself up, but have managed not to do it. It is hard though because sometimes the want to do it is strong. I will starve myself or vomit after eating to feel better now. Does anyone else do this? What helps you?
Elizabeth

[Rapunzel]

All of that stuff fits together. The various ways of hurting yourself, whether visible or not, are ways to cope with feelings, or maybe of reenacting past trauma. You might want to read Women Who Hurt Themselves, by Dusty Miller. I read that book recently, and found it very enlightening. The author uses case histories to demonstrate what is behind various things that we do to hurt ourselves, including cutting, substance abuse, eating disorders, and others, as well as how these things can be overcome through therapy.

<font color=orange>"If a light beckons to you, follow it. If it leads you into the quagmire, you'll probably find your way out of it again; but if you don't follow it, you'll be plagued for the rest of your life by the thought that perhaps it was your star." Friedrich Hebbet</font color=orange>

[Zenobia]

Welcome to forums Elizabeth. I am glad you found us. It isn't a matter of just stopping SI. You have to find out what is inside you that is hurting you enough to make you want to escape. For many of us that means seeking out help from a therapist. Do you see a Therapist now? I don't have any anorexia or bulemia type responses. I tend to overeat when I get depressed but I understand that eating disorders are common in self injurers. In fact when I started weight watchers and my weight loss became noticable my therapist questioned me every session on my weight loss until I reached level place. He was quite concerned even though I was losing weight at the recommended 1 to 2 pound a week rate. Just so you know, we do have a forum for eating disorders if you want extra support for those areas as well as your self injury issues.
Carrie

<font color=blue>If you have two dollars, spend one on bread and the other on flowers. The bread will feed your body and the flowers will feed your soul."--Arabic Saying