PLEASE READ AND REPLY!

[Yorehl]

What would you say to someone who thought it was OK to cut because it helped. And no one understands how it feels? Please share your advice and stories. Is it OK to cut under any circumstance?

[Dez]

Tell them it doesn't get to the root of their problem. Tell them that yes, it may make it seem as if it makes you feel better, and maybe it does, for the moment. But then you pretty much are left feeling so bad, so scared that someone will find out, always looking to hide everything. Then you have the fear of being caught mixing in with whatever bad emotion you were feeling, because those emotions DO come back, and they come back with a vengeance. They may not see it now but eventually they will notice those feelings creeping back when something triggers them. And then where will they be? Back to the self harm. Tell them it becomes a cycle, that eventually it doesn't help anything, it just gets so worse, as they aren't getting to the root of their problems at all. Nobody will understand how they feel unless they talk to someone, of course. Try to get them to talk to someone, preferably a professional. Therapists and other professionals have seen a lot more than you think, since they are trained to help people.

Now, my only stories are things that I have already told you, so I'm sure you don't want to hear them again. But yes, I have self harmed over the same thing multiple times, yes it feels good at the moment, but no, it doesn't really help in the long run and that's why I'm in therapy.

As for it being OK to cut, harming yourself is never okay when there are so many other Alternatives to self harm that are out there. There are people to talk to and things to do that can make you feel better. Cutting never really helps you cope, you just think it does as it starts to "take over."

[Reverie.]

Hey there,

If someone thought this, I'd inform them that there are other, and better, ways to cope with any emotions they may be feeling. Cutting is a dangerous thing to do, and while it may give the impression of helping, it only makes you worse. It's pretty much an addiction. You start off small and it gradually gets worse, and a lot of the time it gets out of hand. If someone I know thought it was okay to cut, I'd tell them this, and I'd tell them that instead of self harm, they could try some alternatives, such as these: http://www.teenhelp.org/alternatives

Remember, that people do know how it feels. Other people have been through self harm, and you will nevr be alone with that. It's a lot more common than you think, unfortunately. Many people do in fact harm themselves in some way or another, and while it's not the most spoken about topic, it happens. Feeling like nobody understands how you feel will isolate you, and it will probably make you push people away, even if you dont realise you're doing it. Try to get out of the mind set of thinking that you're alone, it will benefit you to know that you're not, and never will be either.

I would say no, it's not okay to cut under any circumstances. No matter what it is that makes you want to hurt yourself, there will always be a better way to deal with it. Cutting, as I've said, only ever makes things worse. For one, you're left with nasty scars that remind you of it, and also, as soon as it wears off, you're no better than you were before. It only temporarily relieves whatever it is you are feeling, and after it's affect wears off you're back looking for ways to cope. It's better to find another coping technique now before self harm becomes something you resort to every time you feel the need to cope with something.

I hope this helped,
Hollie.

[MusicIsEverything]

It's not ok to cut. Ever. It doesn't make you a bad person, and it's not something to hold against anyone for doing it, but it is terrible and it is NEVER ok to hurt yourself on purpose.
It really does help. If makes people feel better. But that doesn't make it ok, because we do not deserve to be hurt! People should never, ever cut themselves.

[xxprincessxx]

Like thee above stated; it's never okay to cut. It does help, for awhile, not going to lie. But it doesn't solve the problem and it just keeps coming back, so it's basically just an escape thing. People who cut, need help and somebody who can understand what they are going through and most people assume that if they haven't went through they don't understand, but you just have to be there and try to support them. Read about "cutting" and why people do it, so you can be more educated and help relate to that person better.

Personally, I believe (and I used to cut) that people who cut need help but most of the time refuse to get it because of the fear and the shame associated with it. If I know somebody is struggling with it, I ususally well tell somebody who can help. I realize whenever I was cutting if somebody had done that I would have been ticked, but it happened, somebody did tell and I got help. And I guess it might also be an easier decision for me now that I am actually and adult and most people I talk to are an adult, so by telling the campus counselor or somebody of authority, there won't be any fear of the parents finding out and so fourth. But I strongly encourage getting help for that person or at least talking to them about getting help.

I really hoped this has helped. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

[makeupshadow]

It really all depends. It usually doesn't get to the root of the problem though. Sure it can get u through a down moment but in the end if your family or friends find out it can be unPredictable hOw they react. It's really all about how it affects u, your quality of life, and the people around you my opinion