People's Reactions

The only people who knows (that I know of) are, my mom, sister, and best friend/blood-sister. I started cutting with my best friend, so she was awesome and we are both cutters. My mom and sister are really emotional about the whole thing. They don't know that my best friend is who made all this happen, I am very grateful to her. But yeah, anyways. Mom freaks out whenever she thinks about it or wants to discuss it with me. She crys and hugs me, thinking that I have a major issue that she blames herself for. No one's fault but my own, I'm the one who makes a damn party with myself whenever I cut. I love doing it, why can't they understand that I'm doing what makes me happy? Does anyone else on this site SI out of wanting to feel extreme happiness?

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 17, began to SI at age 14, graduate]

Wed, 2010-07-07 23:51 — Sydney697

Depend on the Person

I have told maybe 10 people. 6 friends my parents a teacher and a therapist.

My friends who have been through it were really supportive. And, they gave me the confidence to tell and adult what was going on.

My other friend Nick was also completly supportive and made sure I stayed posotive. And would always make me laugh and once said my scars made him frown because it looked like a sad face.

My friend Carter gave me his shoulder to cry on especially when I tried to kill myself.

And the other two well they did the best that they could and it was all I could ask for.

My teacher well he greeted me with open arms and would not let me deal withi t all alone. I spent the whole year talking to him and he helped me through everything and gave up so much time that he didnt have to. And was the biggest help ever this year. And it was amazing. Read more »

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 15, began to SI at 13, high school student]

Sat, 2010-06-19 15:06 — Freethisbutterfly2

How Did People React When You Told Them That You Are A Self-Injurer?

Ok, maybe not when I told them, but also when they saw the scars of fresh wounds.                                         

Some react like... with gross face, others like thinking I'm crazy, kinda mixed with fear, others with some type of compassion, but...                                             

I feel like I scare them with my S.I.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 18, began to SI near age 11]

Thu, 2010-05-06 23:54 — Nagizuma

Fear and Misunderstanding

As a rule, the first expression to cross one's face is shock mixed with fear and disgust, soon replaced by either a pitying look or the uncompromising gaze of the self-righteous. This is quickly reinforced by appropriate words, something like "You shouldn't do that", or "Why?"

A limited amount of sympathy and space is allowed before the bystander begins to feel an obligation to do something about you and your "problem." They see themselves as either your would-be savior by helping you, or guilty for letting it continue. Either way, their reactions are bound to complicate things, and so it'd be wise to choose who to bear your secret very, very carefully. The best reaction I've ever had was a calm and unjudgemental acceptance, and the offer of help if needed. Unfortunately, I've only experienced such a reaction from those who have or do self harm. Perhaps those who haven't truly don't understand? I don't know, and I won't assume.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[male, age 16, began to SI at age 7, high school student]

Sat, 2010-04-24 15:31 — EverWhisper

[female, age 23, began to SI in 6th grade]

One supervisor has never said anything about it...I think she just blew it off. The other one was really concerned and caring. My friends have all mostly been worried. Sometimes I feel now like I'm under scrutiny for telling them, like they should check my arms. But mostly they have all been really caring. I am very careful in who I tell, though, before anyone finds out. My therapist asked me to sign a no-harm contract and to call her, crisis care or a friend, when I felt that bad.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 23, began to SI in 6th grade]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 13]

Well, if I tell someone who doesn't know already, I just act like it's no big deal and kind of make a joke out of it. They usually don't say much, they don't know WHAT to say.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 13]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 15, began to SI at age 14]

Most people react by telling me how stupid I am, and telling me how bad it is for me, and asking, why don't I just stop?

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 15, began to SI at age 14]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

Most of my friends were very supportive, being that I told only three of them. They said they had had an idea of what was going on, they were just waiting to hear me say it. My best friend promised she would always be there, and my other friend said I could call her to talk whenever I felt like cutting.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

Everybody reacts differently. Its weird. There are some people that I can't handle the way they act as though they know what is right for me just because I have this "psychotic" behavior or something. You just learn to deal with what each person individually can handle.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

When I tried to explain SI to her after we watched a T.V. show about it she called me a liar and said nobody really harms themselves unless the intent was suicide.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle