[female, age 18, began to SI at age 16]

Yes and no...I know I need to, because I don't want to have to put my life on hold to do something about it- I am going to college now and that is what I want to be doing, and I'm afraid that if I don't stop I might jeopardize that. But I feel like I'm not ready, not capable of stopping yet."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 18, began to SI at age 16]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 17]

Yeah, because it's not normal... people look at me and see a sick person, therapists a lot of times will try to hospitalize for it (which doesn't help) and basically it's not accepted in society. I want to be healthy, able to live a normal life, and i can't do that when i'm cutting. Or when i'm thinking about it all the time. And i don't want my little brother or sister to see me doing it and think it's ok. I don't want them to start cause it's such a hard thing to deal with. I just don't want to know that i've influenced them to harm themselves.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 17]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 15]

At the moment yes and no. It's my only way of coping so i don't know what i'd do with out it. But of course i want to stop because i want to be normal and be able to wear what i want with no scars and not worry about not putting myself near sharp objects which are tempting... i want to stop but i don't know if i can, or what i'd do if i did.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 15]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 7]

I do want to stop, but only because it hurts other people when they know I cut, as they see themselves as the source of my pain. But if it wasn't for other people, I would see no reason to stop, because everyone has to have a coping skill. So what if mine happens to be SI? In my eyes it's better than drug or alcohol abuse."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 7]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 38, began to SI at age 37]

In my mind I know that SI is wrong, that it is detrimental to my well-being, etc., but it does seem to work when other things have not. I also have a very bad opinion of my body and maybe I think that if I have enough scars, my outside will finally match my inside."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 38, began to SI at age 37]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 17, began to SI at age 13]

NO! It's not life threatening for me, and it's a release that works. Actually, I'm real pissed because I used to be so dissociated, it wouldn't hurt, and I'd feel so good afterwards. But now it can be painful, and the cuts aren't as deep. I don't want to pull out of it. It's part of who I am.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 17, began to SI at age 13]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 5 or 6]

Right now I don't want to stop, cos it helps me get through the day sometimes. And it helps me with life and the problems that come with it. If I ever become a strong person in the future I might stop but it's always going to be an option if something goes wrong in life."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 5 or 6]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 14]

no. because it's my drain. its my calming method. i've tried stopping, and i honestly can say that it was the hardest and most painful thing i've every tried doing. it's one of my many addictions and i can't give it up. i'm too unstable without it."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 14]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 14, began to SI at age 11]

I did and I want to keep it up. Someday, when I'm engaged and my husband to be or boyfriend or whomever looks at me and sees the scars, I don't want to still be ashamed of myself. And you know, I started cutting to get away from the pressure, but then the cutting became a stress of it's own. How to hide it, how to get more band aids, how to not feel guilty constantly. I needed to stop. I wanted control of my life and I thought the cutting gave me that, when actually the cutting took control of me."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 14, began to SI at age 11]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 28, began to SI at age 13]

No, I don't think I'm ready for that. I can't imagine a life without SI. How else could I keep myself from going insane or committing suicide? SI is something I need at this point in my life."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 28, began to SI at age 13]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle