>How long have you been self harming? the first time i did was when i was in third grade, i stopped biting my nails to grow them out solely to scratch at my hand until it got so deep i couldn’t anymore. i stopped once i started nail biting again. in 8th grade i began to do it again as a coping mechanism. it’s been 8 years.
>What made you start?just my brain with poor mental genetics, abusive mom, really horrible self esteem.
>What types of self harm? scratching myself, cutting, and last year i started burning my thighs with matches.
>are you trying to quit?i’ve accepted that it’s just something natural to me as it was something i’ve been drawn to since i was very very young. the only reason i try to avoid it bc the scars are ugly and i don’t like coordinating my outfits around hiding them but otherwise i don’t really care about hurting myself anymore.
>any effective alternatives/ways to minimize harm? i draw, just try to distract myself, if i see a point in doing so.
>why do you self harm?i kinda like watching the blood come out. cuts tend to heal pretty quickly and effectively on me. if i feel bad i just have these inexplicable urges to hurt myself. harming myself is the only effective outlet to get rid of that urge.
>how does this effect your daily life? i just have to coordinate my left arm to be less visible through body language (having my palm facing inwards at all times basically) but it’s habitual now. i’m very good at hiding my scars, except for my burn marks, but those are only on my upper thighs so nobody sees them.
>any other places you go for support? Post too long. Click here to view the full text.