Cutting is a way for you to relief your stress and emotions because no one is willing to listen.
I use to cut myself in the secret hopes that someone would see so they would ask me the words I did and didn't want to hear.
'are you alright?'
I wanted to hear them because it proved that someone anyone cared about me, that if I was gone someone would notice.
I didn't want to hear them because I was embarrassed, I was embarrassed because I was letting my weakness show.
You are not alone.
And you do not need to cut yourself.
You are important, I don't know you but know that you are important. Don't feel like you need to cut yourself for someone to listen, and don't see it as a way to make the pain go away.
Write it or, sing it out, be proactive. If you ignore the pain it will only sit and fester.
Advice: make a journal entry every time you feel the need to cut yourself, let us be your cure.
We are all here.
Ill say this a million times because it it completely true.
You are loved and you are important.

Victoria,

Thank you for your encouragement (and hug!). I hadn't realized the "why" of cutting until I read your post. That is SOOO true!!! But what scares me more now is that I'm getting a kind of "high" from cutting.

I assume it's because hurting yourself goes against every survival program your brain has and although brief, it causes a sort of adrenaline rush which gives me a "high" when I cut.

I have to make it hurt and bleed to get the rush. My hands even start shaking but I "enjoy" it, if that makes sense.

Like I said before, I'm not trying to kill myself when I cut (I already know how to do that properly). I'm just doing it to get "close" to it. Example... I'm cutting on my wrist above my vein. I'm careful not to get deep enough to cut the vein, but I do cut deep enough to cause a tiny bit of bleeding.

Yes I do it to almost every day,message me if you ever need anything I'm here for you.

I know it seems like it gives you an adrenaline rush, but it's only because you are thinking of the result. The excitement of being in control.
There are other ways, and we can do it together.
If you need anything please message me. I am here for you, all of you.

Do most people here cut themselves? Or is this not "normal" for depression?

I don't think it's normal. I understand cutting and I'm sorry you cut.

I think that all of us who suffer with depression have different coping mechanisms...... and they aren't all healthy.

I just want to give you a hug and wish you healing.

LMT

What other coping mechanisms are there? Any advice as to what I can try instead?

I also have OCD and at times, I feel "compelled" to cut. I'm not necessarily sad or angry (outside of my normal depression mood), it's more like a "I just feel like I need to do this or I feel really anxious if I don't" type of thing. I feel "satisfied" after I see the blood and feel the pain.

I know this may seem a little funny, but I bake.
When I was younger I would cut myself but in time I understood that there was no point to self mutilation.
Bake.
Dance
Sing
By the time I feel better I have three cakes and two dozen cookies.
But hey, I feel better and that's what counts.

cutting is not normal for anything.

I have cutters as friends, and they have shared these things:

Wrap a rubber band around your wrist and snap it.

Draw on your arm with red ink.

There are other things, but they carry a risk of their own.

I believe that the key to this, as with other behaviors, is early intervention. If you are in therapy, bring it up. If you are not in therapy, please consider starting. Therapists have "hear it all" so they will not be shocked.

Getting to the cause and treating the cause is always the better way to go. Treating the symptoms with things like cutting can get a "life of its own" and then it can be very hard to change.

I have seen 'cutters" when I was in the hospital. The way I try to repress my depression is exercise. It's harder to do but after I do it I feel so much better...like my feelings have been numbed. If you have exercise equipment great but if you don't you can join a local gym or invest in your own piece of equipment. You can even walk or run outside if the weather permits. Personally, I have an exercise bike in my apartment, and it has become a powerful tool in making me feel better. Remember, you count too as a valuable person. Don't be so hard on yourself..and feeling good takes practice too. Work and be proud of your work!!! Peace.

Don't have a clue about cutting.....I think when you do get better you will regret it.

You are going to have scars for the rest of your life....That's not pretty.

Please find help from someone who can understand the cutting. A therapist/doctor.

Nothing about cutting is normal . Please get some help
As a recovering cutter if you need to talk I'm here for you.
Xoxo

Cutting happens in depression but it is not but not for everyone. Like the fact that we are all suffering a bit different battle we deal with it differently. I have cut, I had not done so since last fall but due to some new stress I am fighting not to start it again.
Yesterday I got out my blade and was scratching at my fav spot to cut. I feel so bad about doing it and feel even worse now than I did before I did it. It is a long road to healing but I have found that being honest with myself about it helps.

Everyone self harms in one form or another, I came to realise this after years of therapy.

Your cuts will heal but the scars never truly fade, sometimes I find myself in a situation now that's depressing or nerve wracking and my fingers go straight to my faded scars and trace them over and over. This brings back memories long since forgotten and magnifies any new situation for the worst. I cut for 20 years, stop whilst you can because the scars cause more pain in the future than they heal in the present.

Good luck on your journey and if you find it hard to love yourself enough right now to stop, try looking at yourself through the eyes of someone else that loves you. It helps (hugs)

I do not cut myself. I realized touch from a affectionec person can heals me.