I am a cutter for over 30 years and I think if the piercings work in place of the cutting then by all means go for it. I was never able to go there as it would be painful to me. Yeah most wont get that one if they are not SI but I for one dont feel my SI pain when I am cutting - its all about seeing the blood for me i. I know of some that use tats in the sae way and while I do have tat and plan on another one again it wouldnt work as SI alternitve for me.

Not truly a bad idea tho IMO

i am a cutter too, well I used to cut. I haven't cut in a year but everyday has become a struggle and too like getting piercings. I am always stronger then the razor!

Im a recovering cutter and I would say that works just fine. It isnt damaging. It doesnt hurt you. As long as you take care of the piercings its fine. ^^

I'm a cutter and a burner and I used to get pierced everytime I felt the urge. Then I got sick of piercings.

Now I just try my best to get my mind off it, doesn't always work but at least it's better than the alternative.

I found out a few yrs ago that my sister is a cutter.
I don't understand it. I feel like there is a learnt tool that one can learn too express thier tension/stress though. instead of cutting.
now my sister burns herself. she has scar from her elbow to her wrist. and now cuts & burns her self. mostly burns her self now.
There deep & wide scares. she also cuts on &/or along length of a scare.
She has a lot of bent up emotions and doesnt know how to control stress in a healthy way.
we all have stress in our lives. I just don't seem to be able to get my mind wrap around this one.
we're trying to get her to let us put in elect heat/ac stysom to replace gas.

I can only surmise that this is some form of self medicating (?)
some turn to self abuse, alcohol, prositution,drugs ....

I know that she has alot of pend up anger & doesn't know how to deal w it in a healthy way.

I c a brink wall and a train speeding torward it but I don't know what I can do to stop it from crashing and destorying others on board - who are trying to help.
All I'v managed to do is to slow down the train.

I have 1 sister that a cutter/burner another who has eating disorder and also has OCD when it comes to exerciseing.
I'm a diva and always shopping. shopping to me is relaxing and a great high.

I pray that you will become healthy and not transfer 1 to another self abuse thing.

We haven't meet in person and more than likely never will but that's my loss. I/we care about you. That's not void words. we do care about you. You seem to be very likeable & smart.

vent, chat, share, journal w us on DS.

X's

I am a sier myself and I have heard of people getting tats instead of cutting they say it helps them alot. I don't know I don't have any. I am proud of you for not cutting in 5 mths though. Good job and keep it up.

The piercings sound safer to me!! I think it's a good thing that you've made the switch!! Don't know how long you can keep it up, though. You'll run out of places to pierce!!!!!
Congratulations on making it for 5 months!!! Maybe you've turned a corner!!! (((((Hugs)))))

I would say that early in not cutting.......... it's probably healthier than a fkd up brain would give itself credit for.

Psychologically, for me, it's waaay different to be in a shop being talked to by a professional and learning ways to make sure it stays clean, than it is to be locked in a bathroom, freaking out-crying and inflicting sparatic, senseless cuts on my body.

You're still 'on the wagon' when it comes to cutting. Cutting and piercings are separate things. But the feelings you have just prior are not. As a bipolar group, we all know a lot of our self care comes from the care we extend to ourselves with *dealing* with emotions, not so much *stopping* the emotions. Ha if only we could...

So, as you lose room for piercings, start searching for a little less than equally way to help see you through. Never lose sight of being a full-blown quitter ;)

I quit almost two years ago. My weakest (most manic) moment came sometime in spring and I just happened to be scribbling away in a coffee shop across from a tattoo parlor. I love my tattoo, but it doesn't fade or blend in like my scars - it's quiet obvious and way more noticable than my scars. It really keeps me in check and reminds me that cutting is not an option and neither are tattoos - way too expensive!!! LOL