[malika138]

I feel like my SH is my affirmation of myself, like this is who I really am, unable to cope like a real person, unable to express myself in a way that others can understand.

Does this make sense to anyone?

Are we all alone in our unique ways, even in the company of people IRL?

[Skeezyks]

Yes this makes sense to me. I don't self-harm (anymore). But I have other things going on that, when I'm able to do them, feel like an affirmation of myself... of the me no one else knows about. It's complicated & I'll spare you the details. But I do understand what you're saying here. It makes sense to me.

[jaymoq]

This makes sense to me. My SH is how I express myself- and I know that is incredibly hard for others to understand. But sometimes its our unique differences that are the most meaningful as it relates to our interaction with others and our relationships. It can be tough though when I encounter someone who doesn't understand my scars. My SH has decreased a lot with therapy and medication, but I don't think it will ever truly go away in moments of high stress or my manic episodes. It's a part of me. Its where I've come from and reminds me who I am.

[malika138]

Originally Posted by jaymoq

My SH has decreased a lot with therapy and medication, but I don't think it will ever truly go away in moments of high stress or my manic episodes. It's a part of me. Its where I've come from and reminds me who I am.

I'm curious about how you talk about SH in therapy. I'm not sure what the point is. My T just likes to know when and where. And changes the subject.

[SlumberKitty]

About talking about SH in therapy. My T wants to know what is behind it. Why I do it. She says SH is the symptom, not the problem (I think it's both). She said if we can get to what is underneath the cutting then I can stop hurting myself. We talk about reasons why I cut. How I am feeling in my body before I cut, and stuff like that. HUGS Kit

[malika138]

Mine also says it is a symptom, too, but I don't know of what. She isn't very forthcoming. I feel like she has a checklist- where? when? okay done with those questions now more on. I don't know how to broaden the conversation.

[SlumberKitty]

Maybe ask your T if you can talk more about the reasons behind the SH? Or ask her, what do you think my SH is a symptom of? Mine has it's roots in my depression, that's for sure, but also in intense loneliness, not fitting in, stuff like that. If you have been through trauma either big T or little t trauma, sometimes SH is a symptom of trauma. I went through childhood emotional neglect as a child because my Dad worked all the time and my Mom had her own mental illness that wasn't being treated at the time. So SH is one way I found to deal with some of that. Maybe you could also do some journaling. It might help you determine what your SH is a symptom of. HUGS Kit

[Fuzzybear]

Hugs. I don't know but your T doesn't sound all that helpful to me. You are a real human I hope she will be able to broaden the conversation with you to the reasons behind the self harm