Discussion random question for people who self harm: how many times do you usually do it in one session?

[coolgal82]

just asking out of random curiosity, but like whatever your preffered method of sh is whether it be cutting or burning or whatever, how many times do you do thst in one session? myself i prefer to cut and i usually do like about 4-10 per session but theyre usually somewhat small. also bonus questions, how long have you been doing it for and do you want to/plan to stop? i've been doing it for idk how long now maybe 2-3 years and i have 0 plans of stopping as i find it beneficial to me
(also bonus bonus question, how the fuck do you make the scars stop itching ive tried multiple things and theyre still so fucking itchy)

 

[AngelTear]

just asking out of random curiosity, but like whatever your preffered method of sh is whether it be cutting or burning or whatever, how many times do you do thst in one session?

It cut for now and I don't do it too many times in 1 session, around 5-10 cuts depending on how much clean up I wanna deal with

how long have you been doing it for and do you want to/plan to stop?

I'm not sure, I have no time frame in my head but maybe a year?? I don't really plan on stopping any time soon

(also bonus bonus question, how the fuck do you make the scars stop itching ive tried multiple things and theyre still so fucking itchy)

I haven't figured anything out besides excessive moisturizing. Scars just itch like a bitch :/

 

[underairpressure]

Mostly a cutter but I SH in other ways sometimes. The answer for me is, "numerous". When I start I just want to keep going, and going, and going. It's just unfortunate that I can't, I have to reign it in as best I can.

I've self-harmed basically my whole life, but for cutting specifically I think it's been maybe ~15 years? I don't plan on stopping, ever

 

[RyoAsuka]

Usually alot. I dont keep count. I never go very deep because the thought of needing medical attention for them is sickening to me. I usually cut but I used to bite myself in the past

 

[trying ungracefully]

Usually 3-6 cuts. If I can get a deep one I only do one though because my house is running out of bandaids and my boyfriend has my money right now so I can't buy any. It's just also embarrassing buying bandaids because it feels like they know what it's for when they see me. I've been doing it for nine years though and I really want to stop but can't.

But am I the only one who can't look at them afterwards though? Once the bandaids are on they stay on until they heal unless it absolutely has to be changed. It didn't used to be like this but now I am so ashamed of them.

 

[weeping<3willow]

i prefer cutting. have been on a break but lately the thought appears to feel some relief.

i generally cut until there's a "satisfying" amount of blood, usually i aim for a giant square to be covered

i never really go that deep with it, all my scars are thin white lines. they honestly embarrass me, not because i'm a cutter, but because i cut like a bitch. haha

 

[EmptyBottle]

Usually 3-6 cuts. If I can get a deep one I only do one though because my house is running out of bandaids and my boyfriend has my money right now so I can't buy any. It's just also embarrassing buying bandaids because it feels like they know what it's for when they see me. I've been doing it for nine years though and I really want to stop but can't.

But am I the only one who can't look at them afterwards though? Once the bandaids are on they stay on until they heal unless it absolutely has to be changed. It didn't used to be like this but now I am so ashamed of them.

Mmm, the part where ur bf has ur money is concerning, hopefully you aren't stuck in a controlling relationship, tho even if that's the case there are ways out (that still allow future posting).

 

[coolgal82]

i prefer cutting. have been on a break but lately the thought appears to feel some relief.

i generally cut until there's a "satisfying" amount of blood, usually i aim for a giant square to be covered

i never really go that deep with it, all my scars are thin white lines. they honestly embarrass me, not because i'm a cutter, but because i cut like a bitch. haha

i always end up doing it in a square too, usually like a few lines up/down and a few left/right and then a few diagonal ones across it for good measure

 

[weeping<3willow]

i always end up doing it in a square too, usually like a few lines up/down and a few left/right and then a few diagonal ones across it for good measure

the thing about a large quantity of cuts esp if ur doing it fast is eventually ur gonna get the 1 that is deep and stings like a bitch. i hate it but i love it.

 

[Natbee]

I only do it when I am under pressure or distressed and it's only a couple cuts. I once did it really bad and needed glass cut out my arms but it was in junction with a suicide attempt with medication overdose and strangulation. I was admitted for over a week after that. So I keep them small and hidden now

 

[coolgal82]

the thing about a large quantity of cuts esp if ur doing it fast is eventually ur gonna get the 1 that is deep and stings like a bitch. i hate it but i love it.

i usually get like 2-3 but i kinda like them tbh the pain is like kinda the end goal (plus they form nicer scars and thats also part of it for me, i usually try get mid-deep styro)

 

[trying ungracefully]

Mmm, the part where ur bf has ur money is concerning, hopefully you aren't stuck in a controlling relationship, tho even if that's the case there are ways out (that still allow future posting).

Oh no don't worry it's not controlling. I just spend money on stuff I don't need, just want, because it's always gift money. It's nothing I need so when he needs something like an oil change I give him the money and he pays me back when he can or if I ask. I also ended up giving him $25 because he owed Apple money and I wanted to play a game with him so that one was on me.

 

[FoxSauce]

Shallow not that deep but hurt but ig thats the point 4 or 5 I havent cut in 6 months.

But i have scars.
Mine never got itchy?

Pencil shaperners blades arent the best-
Plus if I do have anything sharp it gets confiscated.

Never got the balls to cut deep cuz well I live with my sisters and yeah...kinda self explanatory

 

[barely_afloat]

It's probably been quite some time. I've been clean for a month or so now.

if it's shallow cuts, I'll have numerous until I'm "satisfied" or feel relieved. If it's deep, then just one.

I will say that SH is a sort of addiction, at least it is for me. I found myself trying to cut deeper and deeper as time went by, and that's honestly dangerous. Not only can you end up fainting cause of how your body naturally responds, but you can end up needing to go to the hospital for stitches (speaking from personal experience).

please make sure to clean up properly after. getting an infection would be horrible, and if your cut is gaping, you likely will need stitches to lower the chance of infection. going to a hospital does suck though, so if isn't too bad, you can use dermabond if the cut is gaping but you can bring the edges of your skin together.

I know yall don't plan to stop, but it would be interesting to see if listening to music while SH may pair the sense of relief to music. that way, listening to music could eventually be relieving the same way SH is but without actually hurting yourself. just a thought

 

[Forveleth]

how many times do you do thst in one session?

I do not have a set number of cuts I make each time. It depends on how I feel. I do a few cuts and wait a few minutes to see if my head clears. If I still feel off, I will cut a few more times and wait again. Repeat as needed. Usually I am in the range of 6-10 cuts at a time.

how long have you been doing it for and do you want to/plan to stop?

I have been self-harming in mild forms most of my life (scratching with nails, hitting myself on the head, etc) but only started cutting maybe.. 3? years ago. No plans to stop as it is how a self-medicate when I feel overwhelmed.

how the fuck do you make the scars stop itching

Scar itching is caused by the skin and/or nerves being fucked up which leads them to send "agitation" signals which the brain interprets as itching. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do other than topical soothing treatments (lotion, ointment, etc). Also, scars can be more sensitive to irritants like chemical fragrances so you might want to avoid laundry detergents/soaps with a lot of fake scents in them as those can irritate skin.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

I am dubious about this thread and it being near competitive in some ways (or at least maybe wuite comparative) which I strongly disagree with. But I'll share my experience to try help balance.

For me SH I think its developed of some way to help me minimise zoning out. Which means I am often unaware how severe it might be as I'm kinda dissociated at the time, but it is definitely not planned nor considered nor routine. I haven't specifically cut in years and the scars I do have from various injuries cause me more issues (paranoia of being asked questions). But I feel so guilty the times I've known/been aware I'm doing 'something' (not gonna go into specifics in this nature of thread) but not felt its too drastic at the time, but then for wounds to appear from it.

 

[spacealiens]

I stuck a screwdriver in my leg when I was drunk haha although I don't self harm often sometimes I will smear blood on my face

 

[violetforever]

enough hits to already see a bruise starting to form so i know that in the next few days it will grow more visible and hurt.

i've been self harming since i was 11. it started with cutting which i rarely do now because i have enough permanent scars for my liking. idk how long i've been hitting myself. probably since 2020/21? i never considered stopping. it feels out of my control.

 

[maplebar]

Three swipes, usually. Depends on the mess I make

 

[UselessKanna]

i cut until im satisfied or hit something i shouldn't have, like a vein. but my minimum is 10. ive been cutting for a long time now i can't remember how it started, i just remember it worsening through self harm spaces online during 2020.

i do not plan on stopping, it gives me comfort like nothing else can. its the closest thing i have to death and gives me a sense of control of my own body. to put it in the most corny way possible- it keeps me sane.

 

[coolgal82]

I am dubious about this thread and it being near competitive in some ways (or at least maybe wuite comparative) which I strongly disagree with. But I'll share my experience to try help balance.

For me SH I think its developed of some way to help me minimise zoning out. Which means I am often unaware how severe it might be as I'm kinda dissociated at the time, but it is definitely not planned nor considered nor routine. I haven't specifically cut in years and the scars I do have from various injuries cause me more issues (paranoia of being asked questions). But I feel so guilty the times I've known/been aware I'm doing 'something' (not gonna go into specifics in this nature of thread) but not felt its too drastic at the time, but then for wounds to appear from it.

i didnt intend for it to be competitve or anything i was just kinda curious on wheter the amount of times i do it was above/below average

 

[LaetumCat]

About 2-4 cuts, but I've always preferred depth rather than amount. I've quit SH, it's complicated to say whether it was because I wanted or because of my family and all the therapists, but, what helps me with itching is regularly applying cream. I truly hate creams but it helps.
I used to cut for about, maybe 2-3 years? Before I was hospitalized I had no intention of stopping, but after it I stopped, said I'll try to recover.... I'll go back to SH if my mental health goes totally downhill again tho.

 

[FoxSauce]

Shallow not that deep but hurt but ig thats the point 4 or 5 I havent cut in 6 months.

But i have scars.
Mine never got itchy?

Pencil shaperners blades arent the best-
Plus if I do have anything sharp it gets confiscated.

Never got the balls to cut deep cuz well I live with my sisters and yeah...kinda self explanatory

Broke my six month clean cut thing. Used one those jar things like thin when you use a can opener.

Literally Saturday.

Wasted.

 

[Xi-Xi]

just asking out of random curiosity, but like whatever your preffered method of sh is whether it be cutting or burning or whatever, how many times do you do thst in one session? myself i prefer to cut and i usually do like about 4-10 per session but theyre usually somewhat small. also bonus questions, how long have you been doing it for and do you want to/plan to stop? i've been doing it for idk how long now maybe 2-3 years and i have 0 plans of stopping as i find it beneficial to me
(also bonus bonus question, how the fuck do you make the scars stop itching ive tried multiple things and theyre still so fucking itchy)

I cut around 10-15 times in a session, but they're quite long.

I've been doing it for a decade and I hope to stop eventually... At this point, though, I don't really care.

I have no idea how the scars stop itching, wait it out I guess