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

I used to cut myself outside, in a secluded area, or in a room lit by candles. My favorite thing now is to be cut by someone else, but that doesn't always work out. I usually do it wherever's convenient and where I wont be interrupted.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 26, began to SI at age 14]

Yes. I always use matches. I have not self-injured before because i couldn't find any. I always burn the match and then blow it out and try to time when it will be the perfect "heat". I always burn myself on the same wrist and I have an ongoing pattern. I have made new patterns, burning in between old scars. I recently did it and burned on top of an old scar because I felt the untouched skin surrounding what I have was... out of the right area.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 26, began to SI at age 14]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 24, began to SI at age 16 1/2]

Sometimes. I lay out all my "tools" -- the blade, the stuff I need to clean and bandage, etc. But I don't really consider that a ritual, it just makes sense to me-- otherwise I make a mess when I'm looking for things and bleeding all over the place. I don't live alone, so I can't afford that.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 24, began to SI at age 16 1/2]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 15]

Not really. I listen to music sometimes. I usually go to bed after I've finished cutting because I almost always do it late at night.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 15]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 14, has SI'ed for as long as she can remember]

Before I go to bed or take a bath or when I change clothes I look all over my body looking for something to hurt. This process usually takes many hours."

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 14, has SI'ed for as long as she can remember]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 11]

I lock my bedroom door, get out my "cutting kit" which consists of all first-aid wraps, a tourniquet, razors, broken glass, a knife, two towels- one to wipe with and one to bleed on. The one I wipe with so I can see through the blood to keep cutting I wet first. I sit by my phone and in front of a mirror so I can watch myself. I find a spot amongst all my scars on my right arm (left-handed) and slap it on there!

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 19, began to SI at age 11]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 15, began to SI at age 12]

Least amount of food for two weeks, throw it all up the next week. Never cut the right arm because that's the one I use to cut myself an if I hurt myself I couldn't do it.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 15, began to SI at age 12]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 24, began to SI at age 14]

In my room. Razors. Like to listen to Danzig. Watch it bleed until it is running down arm and off hand onto a towel. Wrap up in a towel. Let it dry. Wash it off. Go on with my day or go to sleep and watch it bleed into a towel beside me.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 24, began to SI at age 14]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 14, began to SI at age 12]

Yeah, when I was in school, I'd take a pass to go to the bathroom, go to a special stall, cut, clean, flush the toilet, then go back to class like nothing happened.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 14, began to SI at age 12]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

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

Not really. I like to do it at night, when my b-friend is not here. I like to do it by candle light, I don't know why, I guess the light helps me feel calm.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle