I think it should remain confidential except in cases where a person or doctor notifies a parent that their minor child is cutting. Otherwise, it's up to you if you want to share this information with others.

Honey--I have to admit I
hate that anyone does this
to themseleves..This is self
inflicted torture..Even though
you do it to yourself
and no one else involved
the scars show a different
side..
What would your friends say
or feel to know you injure yourself?
kd

Honestly, I'm not too sure! I really haven't told anyone other than my best friend who is also a cutter. How would you react?? By the way, I'm 14 1/2... and I'm a girl.

Honey I am old enough to be your grandmother I am 56..It saddens me for anyone to hurt themselves..I can't see the logic in it..I believe in talking and listening..I believe in writing down my feelings and putting those feelings down to words or poem..I believe in taking frustration out on raking the garden or cleaning the house..
Does this mean you will not be able to talk with me because my views and age are so different?
You asked how would I react--my heart hurts for you.. Kd

Alright, cutting is wrong from a medical point of view.

When you cut, you lose some valuable blood. Some people in the hospital die because they don't get enough blood and some have too much blood (!) in their body so they take that out that by cutting (!). Not being harsh on you though because you are probably doing it to get rid of frustration or whatever reason.

Another thing is that it affects your skin in a negative manner. The cut portion will take some time to heal and it may leave permanent spots. Moreover, you could develop skin infection as well.

The most terrible thing that could happen is you could end up cutting one of your artery or vein (both are blood vessels). That's not going to be a good experience then. The arteries and veins are directly/indirectly connected to the heart. If you cut one of them, all the blood may leak out and you may die as well.

Finally, PLEASE don't hurt yourself. If you want to release frustration, try smashing your pillow against your bed as many times as you want. Yes, may be your favorite pillow will be torn apart but your blood is far MORE VALUABLE than that.

O come on young girl! Try doing something else. The whole life is ahead of you and you need to enjoy it.

God bless you!

kdlee: I am glad that you're willing to talk to me about this... I'm just sorry that I don't see it as drastic as I should. My youth pastor is aware of the situation, and I am getting weekly counseling. The problem is, is that whenever I try and do something else instead of cutting I don't get the same relief! Cutting is something that is always there. It doesn't even have to be cutting... I can scratch words into my skin such as "hate" or "stupid" or "ugly" and that gets me to a point where my mentality is at a place where I am pick apart my emotions... does that make sense? I don't expect anyone to understand cutting or the reasoning behind it. I've been through lots of trauma in my life, and cutting helps me get a hold of my emotions. I'd love to keep talking, and thank you so much for caring.

Concernedn: Okay, first things first... I know cutting gives me scars, trust me, I already have my fair share of them (not all from cutting!). But, I've also found ways to cut w/o getting scars. When you have a family that isn't very understanding of these things it's hard, you know? My mom flipped out when she found out that I cut... so, I never tell her anything anymore. She doesn't get it. She simply assumes things about me, adn I HATE it. How else am I supposed to deal with these emotions? I pray and sing worship songs... and I play my guitar adn that is enough sometimes. But other times...nope.
Thanks for your time.

First, I wasn't trying to lecture you and I am sorry if I was a bit harsh and I told you things that you already knew. My honest intention was to help you out. I talked from a medical point of view because I don't know you personally so I wasn't really sure what answer you were actually expecting. Moreover, I have had to listen lectures such as, "Don't share your personal belief in a scientific discussion" from someone in this site. So I was just playing it safe not that I am a rude person and I don't understand the frustration behind why a person cuts and hurts himself. Hope you understand. I would like to tell you something about your family problem and discuss the whole thing more from an emotional perspective but only if you want to hear from me. I don't want to end up lecturing once more. If you think what I say is boring and not helpful you can throw it in the trash bin but if you think I can be of some help please let me know.

Remain blessed!

Concernedn: you're fine. I don't think you were trying to lecture me. And I appreciate you being honest and forthright. We can talk more, since I sent you a message...

Yes honey we can talk anytime..I am heading out the door for my grandsons Kindergarten graduation..Be back in a few hours..I am open to talk and listen..

Honey would you write down in a book when you feel this urge to cut..What brings it on, were yu sad, mad, angry, upset, crying, lonely,fearful..What brings it on..You are a child of God know that no matter what..I won't preach at you I have no right..I cannot throw a stone..But, I can say pleaase don't..Email me-put urgent KD and I will respond..If I know you wnat to talk we can talk by PM..Just let me know..Talk soon..KD

Alright! I've actually been doing that... my counselor asked me to do that so I could maybe corner the problems "beneath" and try to clear those out all together. I can't say it helped all that much, though.
Maybe I'm just a helpless cause.

No not helpless..Are you putting down your true feelings? Or are you putting down what is easiest to talk about with councelor? As long as you are true to self you will get answers and help..Keep trying honey..kd

I am trying to talk with him...it's just hard, you know? Because sometimes I don't even know WHAT I'm feeling. Uh. Life is so difficult! I'm trying, I really am.
It's nice to know that there are ppl out there, though.
I'm very grateful for you.

I understand -life is hard-even for us older folks there are times we want to say enough..only because I am older and have learned I know that talking is the answer..There are times I have ended up talking at people because they weren't listening so I spilled my guts and walked away..Did it help? Maybe a little but the point is you can't give up..
I rememeber when I was younger kept a diary under my matteres..I would write in it at night all my fears my bad dreams and those good ones of a knight in shining armour..

Do you know what my fears were at 6 years old through 11 years--sexual abuse from a uncle..Sometimes I tell people less years because i am embarrassed and ashamed sometimes and it still makes me think maybe I could have stopped things sooner..Truth is no..

This is where you need paper and pen-where when that sadness comes upon you -write it down when it is fresh in your mind..When you wake up at night and there is fear right it down..If it is a dream write it down..kd

Maybe it did help... but I assure you: I'm stronger because of what I've been through. I know I wouldn't be where I am now if I hadn't been through all the intimate details of my past. Although I HATE some of them so much, I wouldn't be "myself" without them. You get me?

I'm so sorry about your past...your uncle had no right to hurt you. I'm well aware of the pain and trauma that sexual abuse causes. Trust me, I've been there. I hate thinking about it. I'm sure you do, too.

I do write things down in my journal, and I too keep it under my mattress. How odd! I write lots of things... about my day, poems, dreams, thoughts, anger, drawings... and it is all secret! I don't show anyone. I probably never will. It's a great and wonderful book full of hopes and full of secrets that are deep adn horrible and hidden dark and cold... but, that's life, right?

First of all... *hug*. I'm an ex-cutter. There is hope! Writing is a great release, but like you said, that doesn't always work. The best thing that I found was talking to my doctor about an anti-depressant, though I never admitted cutting. I write a lot and clean through my dark times. It's a struggle to keep away from the blade still, but it gets less and less every day.

I'm glad you found a good place to talk about this. Feel free to talk to me anytime. Good luck.

See Tarimisu--pain looks the same no matter where you turn..I am happy you write in your journal and it is for your eyes..:^) kd

Kaprese: Thank you so much. I really appreciate your words.
It's nice to know that people DO understand... even if they are online.
I might talk to my doctor, I just don't know.

kdlee: Yeah, it's a great thing to do. I'm very glad that I started being able to write.
It helps me sort out my thoughts and maybe even try to heal, even if it's just the hope of healing--if you get what I'm trying to say...
Thanks for everything.
*hugs*

Hey, do my doctors need to know about my cutting?