Discussion For people who have been or are still addicted to cutting, do you regret starting?

[Pure Vanilla]

As said in the title, do you wish you never started or would you have done it again if sent back to then

 

[Dot]

Thre = also a SH spport thred if = hlps

Self Harm Support Thread

I have slices on my harms (forearm area) most are like cat scratches but I have do have couple of keloid scars they help with stress management. The keloid ones help the most because it gave me the time to stop thinking about what I was going through with an individual employed by the nypd. The...

sanctioned-suicide.net

 

[Willow]

Yes, totally wish I had never started. It was a problem for me for about 5 years, then effective treatment for my bipolar helped me stop. I still think about it occasionally but it's not a major problem anymore.

 

[Namelesa]

For me I don't regret my time when I cutted much more at all cus I am absolutely fine with the scars I have. I have only really greatly lessened it cus its less effective at helping relieve negative emotions and less physically painful now, not that I actually wanted to stop doing it. I mostly self harm by hitting the area I cut (my left forearm) now as I find that more effective. I am quite different to most people with self harm with getting more benefits than disadvantages from it so I wouldn't suggest to do it in the first place.

 

[darksouls]

you cannot choose an addiction
that is why regret is not quite the right word
I have had to self-harm for as long as I can remember

 

[JesiBel]

I don't regret it, it's "healthier" than using drugs, alcohol or other substances. It only damages my exterior without any major complications. I keep the wounds clean and covered so they don't get infected.

 

[peridot-tears]

I mean, not really. It's an outlet I can focus on, and then have wound care be the next thing to keep my brain occupied with rather than whatever was the trigger in the first place. The only thing I regret after doing it is choosing a more "public" location of cutting (i.e wrist, forearm, bicep). People either make it too big of a deal (and make it about themselves) or don't seem to notice, which makes me feel like I never mattered in the first place.

 

[onmywaytothebusstop]

the scars kinda suck but i don't regret it. Life sucks harder in any case so who cares

 

[metothemoon]

Not sure, sometimes I do. I mean, my scars are ugly and I never get to wear short sleeves. But atm I am also in a place where I don't care anymore …

 

[CutToRelease]

you cannot choose an addiction
that is why regret is not quite the right word
I have had to self-harm for as long as I can remember

Yeah same I cant remember a time I didn't cut so idk . Cant regret if its all u can remember I guess.

 

[lemonandcapers]

Honestly, I don't regret it. I was coping with what I thought was the best for me. I am grateful that it has not impacted me besides my parents telling me to cope better. I was three years clean and relapsed two weeks ago, and honestly, I don't think I could make it a regular thing. Ever since I became sick, seeing my blood makes me want to pass out.

 

[Average Joe]

As said in the title, do you wish you never started or would you have done it again if sent back to then

I regret it when I'm self conscious of my body, I've got such ugly scars.
I regret it when I'm asked about them.
I regret it when it made people worry and panic.
I regret it when I'm sitting in hospital, given empty stares and sutures.

However when I feel like I need some comfort or release, i'd gladly cut if it means that I can cope for a few hours or days.

 

[Bootleg Astolfo]

I just buy more long sleeves and no one questions a thing o7

 

[InboxRain292]

i started when I was around 14, except it was in the form of stabbing with sharp things. I do regret it, but I think if I didn't cut, I would have found another coping mechanism (like maybe continuing the stabbing or trying burning methods). But I wished I could go back in time to tell myself I didn't need to resort to self harm ....

 

[orcapythia]

If I could do it again I would have made more small cuts instead of deep ones, keloids itch like crazy

 

[FoxSauce]

In a way yes and no. Ik kinda conflicting but Jason helped me with my emotions more clearly. I dont like expressing them so I just focus on the pain.

I regret cuz well it affects people but not real cuz that's how i cope.

Ofc the scars suck but im trying to keep clean for my therapist's sake. I made a promise and I can't break it.

Plus I ragher not get scolded so I pinch or pull my hair or scratch myself instead doesn't cause any bleeding so.

 

[LaetumCat]

Currently, not really. But honestly if I would care to look at the bigger picture more then...probably yeah, im kinda on the fence with this one. I feel like SH keeps me somewhat alive currently, so if I would have never done it I probably would've been either dead or like a vegetable for trying very very unreliable methods. SH has made me realise that it can look like youre bleeding a lot but it's not actually AS much as it looks like.

 

[psp3000]

I regret it (started out of curiosity because I was looking for coping mechanisms that weren't drug related) and I was good for maybe a year or two~ but returned back to it recently just for one day

and now although I only did it once after years of not doing it because of laziness and a fear of infection and other coping mechanisms, washing dishes specifically knives are now a trigger for me during difficult times or times when I am alone which I never thought would happen to me

I really wish it wasn't and option for me or that I never started doing it because as an adult its difficult to talk about it to others or attempt to get help for it because its usually associated with children, teens, and various subculture stereotypes (and assumptions about wanting attention) and I think people judge you based on your method and severity because in some spaces especially those occupied by a majority of children and teens its very competitive while the adult self harm talking spaces are hard to find and there are few of them to my knowledge