These are the secrets we never share...

Self-Injury

(otherwise known as SI, self-mutilation, & self-harm)

(you are not alone)

Summer is one of the hardest times for the "cutter".  Everyone else is wearing their tank tops and shorts.  You hesitate to wear short sleeves.  I'm always worried that someone will see the scars.  I know people have seen them.  Most never care enough to ask about it.  Even if they did, I probably wouldn't tell the truth.  They wouldn't understand.  You can't understand - not really - until you've done it, too."

- Anonymous

How do you know if you self-injure? 1.  Do you deliberately cause physical harm to yourself to the extent of causing tissue damage (breaking the skin, bruising, leaving marks that last for more than an hour)? 2.  Do you cause this harm to yourself as a way of dealing with unpleasant or overwhelming emotions, thoughts, or situations (including dissociation)? 3.  If your self-harm is not compulsive, do you often think about SI even when you're relatively calm and not doing it at the moment? If you answer #1 and #2 yes, you are a self-injurer. If you answer #3 yes, you are most likely a repetitive self-injurer. The way you choose to hurt yourself could be cutting, hitting, burning, scratching, skin-picking, banging your head, breaking bones, not letting wounds heal, among others. You might do several of these. How you injure yourself isn't as important as recognizing that you do and what it means in your life. copyright 1996-2001 Deb Martinson In My Opinion •   Types of self injury •   Is self-harm a suicide attempt? •   Trying to Stop •   When Your Friend Hurts •   Some Alternative Coping Skills Links about SI Articles About SI Self-Inflicted Violence:  Helping those who help themselves Affirmations for People Who Self-Harm Self Soothing Self-Injury:  Beyond the Myths Why do people hurt themselves?