I don’t know if this is against the rules, but I guess I was hoping to take a pole. I started practicing self harm in my early 20’s after my father’s suicide. The last time was shortly before turning 27. It’s something that is very addicting, but I feel incredibly ashamed of it. It seems ridiculous that a person my age would do such a thing since the stereotype is a 13 year old emo girl seeking attention(which there is nothing wrong with being 13 and emo). My point/question is: are there any others who self harm out there, and if so, would you be comfortable saying your approximate/actual age? Maybe something about why you do it? The reason I ask is that I want to break the stereotype. I am not currently doing this to myself and am not in immediate danger of harming myself or anyone else. I just want to open up (and maybe you do to) about an embarrassing secret and maybe rid myself of some of the associated shame that makes it so hard to come clean and get help.
7 comments
Hi there, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. I’m the same. I’m 33 and still think about it.
im a 16 and i cut myself because i want the distraction and i love the blood. if you have any other question ill gladly answer.
34 here. Self harm isn’t age dependent tbh, so yeah, happens more often that you’d think. I don’t cut, but i do punch myself or headbutt against the walls (obviously when people are not around). Mostly to take off steam or just to “feel something” when i feel too numb.
18 here. Self harm goes far beyond 13 year old “emo” girls seeking attention through scars. As in my case, endorphins, endorphins, endorphins, distraction, endorphins.
22 here. Started 10 years ago. Helps me feel something since I feel numb almost all the time
sorry for responding to this so late, I was too tired to when it was first posted, and then forgot to after waking up for awhile…. But, to answer your question, I am 22 currently, haven’t cut myself for maybe a month or two right now (yay ^_^), I started cutting somewhere around maybe 14-15 or so, started hurting myself long before that (I remember hurting myself intentionally as long ago as 3rd grade (no idea what age that is really can’t remember what age I graduated at and what has you)), for me I think it’s mostly a punishment thing. I hate myself and I feel the need to punish myself quite often. I do hope that you do stop feeling shame about this and manage to find a way to pull yourself away from self harm. I wish you the best ^_^
I started cutting when I was in my 30’s. I am now 52. Picked it up again about three years ago and added drawing blood with a large syringe. I had not done it for several years then started about 3 weeks ago. It relieves the tremendous anxiety I am feeling and I get a sense of relief. I have been drawing quit a bit of blood on a daily basis. This does the same as cutting but has no scars. However, the amount I am drawing is a slow form of suicide. 1,500cc since I started again. This really numbs me and gets me through the day. I am really ashamed of my self harm and understand where you are coming from. It is hard to quit once you start again, so don’t start if at all possible.