Comments on: Cutting: Self-Injury Facts & Statistics http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/ Teen Help, Teen Defiance, Troubled Teen, Teen Parenting, eCounseling Services Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:56:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Loren http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4411 Loren Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:56:22 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4411 I first cut a year and a half ago. It was the summer holidays, and I was all alone. I made myself a knife out of scoobies and a blade from my craft knife. I only cut a feew times that summer, then I put the knife away for a year. At the beginning of this year I started again, and it got to the point where I would cut every day when I got home from school. I was too scared to cut deeply, so the scars were never really obvious, but I felt really sick the whole time - but I couldn't stop. I was obsessed. Ash Wednesday came and I made a lenten promise never to cut again. I kept that promise - the letter, but not the spirit. I would use my fingernails or penlids to scratch at my wrist. I was addicted. I would leave classes to get my fix. Eventually one of my friends caught me and told me to stop. If that had been it, I don't know if I would have been able to. But then she started crying and my heart started bleeding. And since then I haven't selfharmed, although there have been many times that i've stared at a penlid, WANTING to scratch - but I didn't. I've been 'clean' for almost two months now. It's hard, but it's manageable. You can beat it. If you feel like you want to cut, try ripping up a piece of paper, or scratching the edge of the desk. ANything to relieve the urge without actually doing somethign to yourself. God bless, you can do it... I first cut a year and a half ago. It was the summer holidays, and I was all alone. I made myself a knife out of scoobies and a blade from my craft knife. I only cut a feew times that summer, then I put the knife away for a year.
At the beginning of this year I started again, and it got to the point where I would cut every day when I got home from school. I was too scared to cut deeply, so the scars were never really obvious, but I felt really sick the whole time – but I couldn’t stop. I was obsessed.
Ash Wednesday came and I made a lenten promise never to cut again. I kept that promise – the letter, but not the spirit. I would use my fingernails or penlids to scratch at my wrist. I was addicted. I would leave classes to get my fix.
Eventually one of my friends caught me and told me to stop. If that had been it, I don’t know if I would have been able to. But then she started crying and my heart started bleeding. And since then I haven’t selfharmed, although there have been many times that i’ve stared at a penlid, WANTING to scratch – but I didn’t. I’ve been ‘clean’ for almost two months now. It’s hard, but it’s manageable. You can beat it. If you feel like you want to cut, try ripping up a piece of paper, or scratching the edge of the desk. ANything to relieve the urge without actually doing somethign to yourself.
God bless, you can do it…

]]> By: kaylee http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4410 kaylee Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:31:31 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4410 I'm 17 years old, and I started cutting about a year ago. I've never been abused or have had anything really bad happen in my life, but this year I just got really really depressed. Cutting was working for me, and it allowed me to function on a regular day-to-day basis without letting anyone know that something was wrong. Eventually my mom found out, and though at the time it was the worst thing ever, it ended up being a good thing. Since then I've been to programs at two different psychiatric hospitals, and I am currently going to therapy once a week. I've come a long way since then and even went a whole month and two days without cutting, which, for me, felt like the biggest accomplishment. When I stopped cutting, I felt so much better emotionally, but I ended up going back to it and I still don't know why. Now I am cutting again and I think I'm okay with that. Maybe it's because it makes me feel like a superhero that I can injure myself without feeling the pain, or because I'm not ready to give up that part of my life yet. I guess my advice for anyone new to SI is to stop now, before you're so addicted that it seems nearly impossible, and to those who are trying to stop just take it one day at a time and if you're on a long stretch of no SI, don't go back to it. I wish I could follow my own advice, but good luck to everyone else out there. It's nice to know I'm not alone. I’m 17 years old, and I started cutting about a year ago. I’ve never been abused or have had anything really bad happen in my life, but this year I just got really really depressed. Cutting was working for me, and it allowed me to function on a regular day-to-day basis without letting anyone know that something was wrong. Eventually my mom found out, and though at the time it was the worst thing ever, it ended up being a good thing. Since then I’ve been to programs at two different psychiatric hospitals, and I am currently going to therapy once a week. I’ve come a long way since then and even went a whole month and two days without cutting, which, for me, felt like the biggest accomplishment. When I stopped cutting, I felt so much better emotionally, but I ended up going back to it and I still don’t know why. Now I am cutting again and I think I’m okay with that. Maybe it’s because it makes me feel like a superhero that I can injure myself without feeling the pain, or because I’m not ready to give up that part of my life yet. I guess my advice for anyone new to SI is to stop now, before you’re so addicted that it seems nearly impossible, and to those who are trying to stop just take it one day at a time and if you’re on a long stretch of no SI, don’t go back to it. I wish I could follow my own advice, but good luck to everyone else out there. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

]]> By: alan http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4397 alan Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:00:11 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4397 I started having problems with cutting when I was 11 or 12. I figured out later it was related to severe sexual abuse that I suffered as a child. I am 47 years old now and I still struggle with this at times as well as a lot of other stuff. I went to counseling as a teen and again in my 30s and again later but none for the past 6 years. Does it ever go away? I started having problems with cutting when I was 11 or 12. I figured out later it was related to severe sexual abuse that I suffered as a child. I am 47 years old now and I still struggle with this at times as well as a lot of other stuff. I went to counseling as a teen and again in my 30s and again later but none for the past 6 years. Does it ever go away?

]]> By: Ithfifi http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4365 Ithfifi Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:58:50 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4365 First off, welldone on the very useful and well worded infomation. Too many websites make light of such a serious problem, or the texting is very uninformative. I started cutting at the age of 11, and have bascially been hooked for 10 years. Through my teens I was sent to a young person's mental unit as an inpatient because of it. Reading through these posts I see so many simular cases. I would like to sayd "I've not cut for x-amount" of time but I have an awful habit of falling back into it. Its awful to be accused of wanting attention, I myself never made any attempt to show my cuts or scars off. I know there are many genuine troubled people who do this to cope.. sadly there are some of those out there who will do it for attention, which really gives those who are struggling, often a bad outlook when seeking help. My school counsellor (who I saw after 4 years of cutting) was a total gem, She did her best. I've seen numerous psychs and doctors about this, and Its something that at 21 now, I am having CBT therapy for. I know there are people out there who can break the hold of self harm, So I think we should all try to remember that. First off, welldone on the very useful and well worded infomation. Too many websites make light of such a serious problem, or the texting is very uninformative.

I started cutting at the age of 11, and have bascially been hooked for 10 years. Through my teens I was sent to a young person’s mental unit as an inpatient because of it. Reading through these posts I see so many simular cases. I would like to sayd “I’ve not cut for x-amount” of time but I have an awful habit of falling back into it.

Its awful to be accused of wanting attention, I myself never made any attempt to show my cuts or scars off. I know there are many genuine troubled people who do this to cope.. sadly there are some of those out there who will do it for attention, which really gives those who are struggling, often a bad outlook when seeking help.

My school counsellor (who I saw after 4 years of cutting) was a total gem, She did her best. I’ve seen numerous psychs and doctors about this, and Its something that at 21 now, I am having CBT therapy for.

I know there are people out there who can break the hold of self harm, So I think we should all try to remember that.

]]> By: KC http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4293 KC Tue, 15 Jun 2010 05:09:40 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4293 I cut for a long time....at first it was just when i was angry. But then it become all the time....I didn't know all the time why i did. But it felt like it was almost impossible to stop. And the whole learning from peers i dont think is true...cause i do it on my hip. and ya.. I cut for a long time….at first it was just when i was angry. But then it become all the time….I didn’t know all the time why i did. But it felt like it was almost impossible to stop. And the whole learning from peers i dont think is true…cause i do it on my hip. and ya..

]]> By: Monica http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4258 Monica Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:47:01 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4258 I've been cutting for three years now (I started when I was 13) and I've become addicted as well as some of the other people who have commented on this. I want to stop, but whenever I try it just doesn't seem to work >.> My cutting isn't that bad, because I don't do it often, and I hadn't done it a lot when I did, but lately it's been more occurring and there are deeper cuts. My parents are no help because last time they found out about it they told me that if they ever saw that again they'd take me out of public school, and put me into private school (I have social anxiety and confrontational problems). If they did that it would be so much worse, and almost anyone who I can talk to about it (meaning the people who know) will either yell at me for doing it, call me stupid for doing it, or just get sad because they don't want me to do it. I also have a problem with making my friends sad or angry, so that just upsets me more, and yeah. And I can't talk to anyone else about it because they will all either judge me or tell my parents about it. So basically my issue is, I have no one to talk to about it who won't tear me apart emotionally. So I just keep doing it. I’ve been cutting for three years now (I started when I was 13) and I’ve become addicted as well as some of the other people who have commented on this. I want to stop, but whenever I try it just doesn’t seem to work >.>

My cutting isn’t that bad, because I don’t do it often, and I hadn’t done it a lot when I did, but lately it’s been more occurring and there are deeper cuts.

My parents are no help because last time they found out about it they told me that if they ever saw that again they’d take me out of public school, and put me into private school (I have social anxiety and confrontational problems). If they did that it would be so much worse, and almost anyone who I can talk to about it (meaning the people who know) will either yell at me for doing it, call me stupid for doing it, or just get sad because they don’t want me to do it. I also have a problem with making my friends sad or angry, so that just upsets me more, and yeah. And I can’t talk to anyone else about it because they will all either judge me or tell my parents about it. So basically my issue is, I have no one to talk to about it who won’t tear me apart emotionally.
So I just keep doing it.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4116 Stephanie Sat, 15 May 2010 01:23:13 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4116 What is the ethical practice for school counselors, regarding notifying a parent, who work with students who used to cut but say they don't cut any more? What is the ethical practice for school counselors, regarding notifying a parent, who work with students who used to cut but say they don’t cut any more?

]]> By: dustin http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4112 dustin Wed, 12 May 2010 15:09:45 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4112 i use to i know you dont wanna stop but when you do youll feel way better. i would know i use to i know you dont wanna stop but when you do youll feel way better. i would know

]]> By: Cheyenne http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4071 Cheyenne Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:34:06 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4071 I am 14, and a cutter. I have gone to my school counsiler about my depression I was feeling. That was a complete waste of my time. I hurt all the time, I have thought about "commiting" and came close to it as well. I don't want to cut anymore because I feel disgusted about myself when I do. I only wonder what my future lover will say,"You're a freak!" "I can't believe you were and emo!" "No one's going to want you because of these disgusting scars all over your body!" And, I don't want to die either, because I come from a religious family and I'm athiest. They always tell me how I will go to hell because I don't believe in god. I live a hard life and I hate that I live it. Ask anyone and I'm the happiest person they ever met, I hate the mask I wear. And now, depression is dragging me down, I'm loosing all of my friends, and I doubt they even care that I hurt myself. I am 14, and a cutter. I have gone to my school counsiler about my depression I was feeling. That was a complete waste of my time. I hurt all the time, I have thought about “commiting” and came close to it as well. I don’t want to cut anymore because I feel disgusted about myself when I do. I only wonder what my future lover will say,”You’re a freak!” “I can’t believe you were and emo!” “No one’s going to want you because of these disgusting scars all over your body!”
And, I don’t want to die either, because I come from a religious family and I’m athiest. They always tell me how I will go to hell because I don’t believe in god.
I live a hard life and I hate that I live it. Ask anyone and I’m the happiest person they ever met, I hate the mask I wear. And now, depression is dragging me down, I’m loosing all of my friends, and I doubt they even care that I hurt myself.

]]> By: tired of everything http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4060 tired of everything Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:52:35 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4060 I really need some help. Everyone is controling everything in my life and i find my self slipping closer and closer to my razor again. one of my friends told me that my life could be so much worse and its true it can. but i don't know if i'm just being a baby about everything. i mean i don't have any like major problems. but my problems are big to me. i just become so scared and depressed sometimes. i really need to talk to someone but no one will liston or cares. I really need some help. Everyone is controling everything in my life and i find my self slipping closer and closer to my razor again. one of my friends told me that my life could be so much worse and its true it can. but i don’t know if i’m just being a baby about everything. i mean i don’t have any like major problems. but my problems are big to me. i just become so scared and depressed sometimes. i really need to talk to someone but no one will liston or cares.

]]> By: tired of everything http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4059 tired of everything Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:46:01 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4059 i think that you should be able to make you're own choices. i started cutting when i was 11. you have to decide for yourself if you want to keep cutting or now. if it's forced it won't help you at all. i know from experence. i'm almost 16 now and have stoped for over a month now. but it feels like an eternity. but it should totally be your decision. i think that you should be able to make you’re own choices. i started cutting when i was 11. you have to decide for yourself if you want to keep cutting or now. if it’s forced it won’t help you at all. i know from experence. i’m almost 16 now and have stoped for over a month now. but it feels like an eternity. but it should totally be your decision.

]]> By: Kate Spittle http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4040 Kate Spittle Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:13:28 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4040 I have been a cutter since I was 10 years old. I started cutting because I was in a lot of pain. I have been abused in one way or another my entire life. It was just a way to get rid of my pain. The problem is that I can't stop now. I have had this problem for years. I thought that I was over it, but the other day I was sitting in our community center, and someone pulled out a knife and I went crazy. All that I could think about was cutting and how good it would be. I have been a cutter since I was 10 years old. I started cutting because I was in a lot of pain. I have been abused in one way or another my entire life. It was just a way to get rid of my pain. The problem is that I can’t stop now. I have had this problem for years. I thought that I was over it, but the other day I was sitting in our community center, and someone pulled out a knife and I went crazy. All that I could think about was cutting and how good it would be.

]]> By: Talia http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4038 Talia Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:04:05 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4038 i waz a cutter for about 3yrz nd i guess it waz bkuz i felt like nobody cared about me nd how i felt about ne thing. my parents would tell me i waz krazie nd that it waz my own fault, which only made me wana cut more nd as a result from that my arms are permanently scarred. i kept doing it though until my sophomore yr of high skl which iz whr i met my best frend the yr b4. he helpd me stop nd he made me feel like more than what my family ever did nd now were frendz 4 life...so my suggestion 2 cutterz iz this, find a friend who helps yu by listenin, nt labeling and shows they care about yu evn wen yu dnt care about urself i waz a cutter for about 3yrz nd i guess it waz bkuz i felt like nobody cared about me nd how i felt about ne thing. my parents would tell me i waz krazie nd that it waz my own fault, which only made me wana cut more nd as a result from that my arms are permanently scarred. i kept doing it though until my sophomore yr of high skl which iz whr i met my best frend the yr b4. he helpd me stop nd he made me feel like more than what my family ever did nd now were frendz 4 life…so my suggestion 2 cutterz iz this, find a friend who helps yu by listenin, nt labeling and shows they care about yu evn wen yu dnt care about urself

]]> By: Nat http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4033 Nat Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:37:32 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4033 amen! amen!

]]> By: rayne http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4030 rayne Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:36:12 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4030 i think theyre just worried about you. you have to try to see it from their point of view. ya its your choice but these people love you and dont want you hurting yourself): i think theyre just worried about you. you have to try to see it from their point of view. ya its your choice but these people love you and dont want you hurting yourself):

]]> By: jaime http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-4021 jaime Tue, 13 Apr 2010 10:06:59 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-4021 I just found out today that my fourteen year old daughter was cutting herself. We have always been able to talk openly about things, and today I almost missed that opportunity. I noticed that she started wearing these tight bracelets on her wrists, and asked her about a small scar I saw. She said it was the cat and I believed her. Today must have been a rough day for her. She asked if we could talk, and she just showed me her arms. I was very supportive, and listened, she cried in my arms a bit, and just let some stuff out. She is a great kid, honor student, pretty, but doesnt believe it. Its hard for her to make friends. She lives with me and her mom (alternate nights) her mom lives five minutes away. She is going through typical fourteen year old girl stuff, and sometimes a very very bad attitude. She feels like she doesnt belong here or there. She has a seven year old sister and three year old brother (from me and her step mom). She said she cant promise she will stop because it is becoming very addictive, but said she will really try. She says it has only been going on for about two weeks. She saw a Therapist for a little while, because she was pulling her hair out, biting her nails, nervously tapping her fingers, now this. Her pulling eventually stopped (i think, i believe her)Nail biting she still does, and finger tapping. I have my own obssesive compulsive issues. I dont know what to ask or what to do. Somebody please advise me. I just found out today that my fourteen year old daughter was cutting herself. We have always been able to talk openly about things, and today I almost missed that opportunity. I noticed that she started wearing these tight bracelets on her wrists, and asked her about a small scar I saw. She said it was the cat and I believed her. Today must have been a rough day for her. She asked if we could talk, and she just showed me her arms. I was very supportive, and listened, she cried in my arms a bit, and just let some stuff out. She is a great kid, honor student, pretty, but doesnt believe it. Its hard for her to make friends. She lives with me and her mom (alternate nights) her mom lives five minutes away. She is going through typical fourteen year old girl stuff, and sometimes a very very bad attitude. She feels like she doesnt belong here or there. She has a seven year old sister and three year old brother (from me and her step mom). She said she cant promise she will stop because it is becoming very addictive, but said she will really try. She says it has only been going on for about two weeks. She saw a Therapist for a little while, because she was pulling her hair out, biting her nails, nervously tapping her fingers, now this. Her pulling eventually stopped (i think, i believe her)Nail biting she still does, and finger tapping. I have my own obssesive compulsive issues. I dont know what to ask or what to do. Somebody please advise me.

]]> By: DuBoodle http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-3997 DuBoodle Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:27:21 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-3997 I cut too, and I have SI-ed for about 10 years (I'm 14). See, in all my research...it's not that you're addicted to the actual act of it. You're addicted to the endorphins it releases, which gives you the feeling of being addicted to cutting. It's kind of complicated..but that's the gist of it. I cut too, and I have SI-ed for about 10 years (I’m 14).
See, in all my research…it’s not that you’re addicted to the actual act of it. You’re addicted to the endorphins it releases, which gives you the feeling of being addicted to cutting.
It’s kind of complicated..but that’s the gist of it.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-3983 Jennifer Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:47:47 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-3983 I happened upon this website while looking for information on depression, self-mutilation, and suicide for my I-search report. As far as that goes, the facts and statistics are great. Personally, I don't cut or use any other self injurious outlet, but I have a friend who does. Or has in the past. I'm not sure anymore. I don't know how to talk to her mainly because I'm afraid I'll say the wrong thing, and she'll get mad at me. I'd like to help her in anyway that I can. I happened upon this website while looking for information on depression, self-mutilation, and suicide for my I-search report. As far as that goes, the facts and statistics are great. Personally, I don’t cut or use any other self injurious outlet, but I have a friend who does. Or has in the past. I’m not sure anymore. I don’t know how to talk to her mainly because I’m afraid I’ll say the wrong thing, and she’ll get mad at me. I’d like to help her in anyway that I can.

]]> By: Lillian http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-3980 Lillian Mon, 29 Mar 2010 05:21:57 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-3980 I had completely forgotten that i had posted this... But Sari thank you so much for the response it's honestly comforting to know that there are people who care and have similar stories and that I am not being just a spoiled brat. I haven't been able to talk to anyone about it yet really... I've never felt comfortable speaking to my school psychologist, my mother works at school and I feel like I would be embarrassing her. I will be going to college next year so I will probably be able to get some help there. But I do feel like i have grown allot over this past year, or that I understand my cutting a bit more now... I still do it and I still partake in self harming behaviors. I have started to consider slight depression seeing as how some of my crying spells have gotten worse and I have started to develop mild insomnia, i still however doubt whether it is real depression or a teen angst phase. Thank you again for showing me that some people care.... and i hope you feel better and work through your depression and best of luck to you I had completely forgotten that i had posted this… But Sari thank you so much for the response it’s honestly comforting to know that there are people who care and have similar stories and that I am not being just a spoiled brat. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone about it yet really… I’ve never felt comfortable speaking to my school psychologist, my mother works at school and I feel like I would be embarrassing her. I will be going to college next year so I will probably be able to get some help there. But I do feel like i have grown allot over this past year, or that I understand my cutting a bit more now… I still do it and I still partake in self harming behaviors. I have started to consider slight depression seeing as how some of my crying spells have gotten worse and I have started to develop mild insomnia, i still however doubt whether it is real depression or a teen angst phase. Thank you again for showing me that some people care…. and i hope you feel better and work through your depression and best of luck to you

]]> By: Jacky Reyes http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/cutting-self-injury-facts-statistics/2009/02/06/#comment-3941 Jacky Reyes Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:43:58 +0000 http://www.scottcounseling.com/wordpress/?p=1792#comment-3941 that was so amazing! it really touched me! like you have no idea! i respect you! that was so amazing! it really touched me! like you have no idea! i respect you!

]]>