[female, age 29, can't remember when she began to SI]

Keep my hands in my lap. If I've done a particular "number" on them (as my family puts it) I'll cover my fingers with band-aids, but that doesn't usually last long, but I just end up picking them apart.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 29, can't remember when she began to SI]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 23, began to SI in 6th grade (that she can remember)]

Yes, generally. I mean, I don't wear long sleeves, but I hold my arm against myself and when someone asks about a scar I just blow them off, or make up some quick excuse.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 23, began to SI in 6th grade (that she can remember)]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

As much as possible i try to wear long sleeves, but i live in a hot climate (Australia) and in the summer months i'd draw more attention to myself by covering up than i would by exposing myself. So as a result, i still wear shorts and bathers and short sleeves but i normally keep my arms folded (which covers most of my arm scars) and am just generally careful about my actions and who will see them.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 11]

I cut in places no one sees, like my shoulders during the winter and my hips and stomach. Also, feet are good, because no one questions wounds on your feet. I have scars on my arms and legs, but I don't let that stop me from wearing the clothes I want to; none of my scars are too terribly scary, and I have lies I tell about each of them... and people see what they want to see. They would much rather believe that a scar is from falling out of a tree when I was little than that it's from an incident with a pocket knife. The scar in question doesn't even look much like something that would come from falling out of a tree, but people choose not to see that. I let them believe what they want to believe.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 11]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 12-13]

I don't hide it much. My parents know and have simply give up on trying to make me stop. All my friends know, so I don't normally feel uncomfortable around them. If I've done a particularly bad cut then I'll just wear sweaters, so as not to get a lecture from someone. Otherwise i just let it go... people can think or say what they want about me cutting myself. I could care less because I know the truth.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 16, began to SI at age 12-13]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

I wear a band-aid and I have big wide bracelets that I wear. I sometimes wear jackets to hide it. I only do this (hide) for new burns. The scars I have are very noticeable and I have had them for over 10 years now... I live with them.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:34 — Gabrielle

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

Well, I used to wear long pants and long sleeves all the time but then I decided fuck the world, and if people care they care. Right now I have the problem that I'm supposedly being able to get over it, and in order to hide the fact that I'm still doing it I try to make it in hidden places.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

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

Long sleeves, pants. I usually cut/burn my thighs and arms, that way I can hide it if I want. Sometimes, I don't give a damn what anybody thinks and parade around "showing off" my cuts and burns. People look at me funny and talk about me behind my back, but that's just one more way to hide it for me.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

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

I used huge sweaters, thick socks. Oh! And with my hands, I would wear an ace bandage to school and say I had sprained my wrist.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

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

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle

[female, age 43, began to SI at age 10]

I can't hide my chewed fingernails, and my beatings to myself, if I feel the hate to myself building up while I am in a public place, I will stuff it down until I am safe in private or with certain close friends, and then I will let the volcano explode.

In Their Own Words Information

Person: 

[female, age 43, began to SI at age 10]

Fri, 2009-04-03 23:33 — Gabrielle