I dont think people do this for attention hun, there are people who copy us for attention i think they are sicker than we are,

"doing it for attention.." I think those psychotherapy people mean that cutting is a sign of "cry for help" time. BIG time...The only thing that can help me 2 stop is 2-listen to online sermon everyday. I have stopped cutting for >1 year now...and looking good. If you want to know more of how to stop, message me? :D It works for me and I am sure it works for you too. No one can give you the strength to resist cutting as much as Jesus does. Rely on HIM, God bless.

I do believe that some people do it for attention. Though I am the same as you and never want anyone to know, I've had a few friends after they've done it and came right up to me and say "Look what I did."
Either way it is still (as fichai says) "a cry for help".
And as for stopping SI yourself I know too how hard it is. What works the best for me is calling friends because it takes my mind off of it...

quote : I dont think people do this for attention hun, there are people who copy us for attention i think they are sicker than we are,
that is so true..one group of people that copy...EMOs.
its now a fase for them to freakin do it...i hate that.

I dont really know why people do it for attention but it is kinda sick that they do because this is an illness. Also i dont think all emos do it for attention iv started to wear clothes like emos and goths but only because it helps to hide my cuts and scars.

I am not sure why people do it for attention but i totally agree I do everything i can to hide it. And i also know people that have come right out and showed me.... Its not right.

people have accused me of harming myself for attention but it helps me stay calm and in control of myself. I harm when I am sad or angry because I would rather hurt myself than someone else.

Some people do it for attention, others do it cos the pain inside hurts more and they would rather feel a cut than what they feel inside. Its really difficult to stop this.... I have been doing it for 18 years and I have found it hard. Basically you need to find distractions that work for you and the way you find those out is to try them. I haven't cut in 5 and a half weeks now... and hoping to make 6. Whats helping me is scrapbooking. It keeps my hands busy, and also my mind, thinking about how to display my photos on the page. What is something that you like to do? I suggest you do more of it... and have others as back up if you get sick of it, or if your feelings are too intense. When they get so intense that you just have to do something to harm yourself, then I suggest snapping a rubber band on your wrist, or holding icecubes until they melt in your hands. (works for some people)....also try squeezing your fists tight together for as long as you possibly can... until you can't do it any longer. That also helps. Just being one in the moment helps. If you are doing the dishes... mindfully do them. such as feel the soap, smell the liquid, feel the temperature of the water, totally be the dishwasher.... and forget that you are anything else. doesnt have to be dishes, but you can mindfuly do something way better than that... just make sure that you get right in there and do it.... these are all things I have learnt in group therapy. They have helped me get this far... and I am hoping to get further. Hope this isn't too hard to understand and that people here try this... because we need to face our problems in a different way... not this way...