Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

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Smash 08/10/2007

Ugh, I hate it when people cut and then show it off. This girl in my class allways cuts herself and then the next day comes to school and doesn't even bother to hide it b/c she WANTS people to see it so that she can get attention, so that they will think she is cool (b/c for some reason cutting is 'In', and so that they will pitty her. I know that she has her own problems if she is doing that, but everyone sees her doing that for attention and then they think 'OMG, everyone who SI's is just doing it for attention' So if I accidentaly slip up and someone sees my scars I get really paranoid that they are going to think I let them see it on purpose and that I just want them to confront me-and that is the last thing that I want them to do. Does this annoy anyone else?

shootingstar 08/10/2007

I totally agree with you. I really hate it when people purposely show off their cuts, and sometimes their scars if they are bad enough. I am sure that they cut for a reason, but it really comes across as doing it for attention. Therefore, self injurers are labeled as doing it for attention. Me on the other hand, I am one who never shows anyone my cuts and my scars ... so I hate being labeled as an attention seeker. I really wish that people would have a better understanding of this addiction, and would maybe have more respect towards it.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

I agree. I try and hide all my scars. I dont want ppl knowing. They'll think I'm just doing it for attention and not even care what the real reason is b/c beliving that its just for attention is easier than realizing someone actually has a problem.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

this pisses me off to no end. i mean, if people are doing something like that for attention, i understand they have their own problems but they're not the same as ours. i've even been holding off on a gyno appointment that i really should go to, considering how stupid i've been lately, cause i've got some new scars that i'm afraid she'll see. they're right below my pany line cause thats the best place to hide them for me (NOT GIVING ANYONE ANY IDEAS, THIS ISN'T ADVISE!!). i don't even think she can say anything about it cause of hippa and all, but i'm not sure... maybe i'll write a post on that, see if anyone knows... sorry, i'm rambling. you know i have that tendency.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

Now uv got me paranoid!!! that people will think that about me....... i jst counted and 7 people know... i want 2 cry thats so many?? and i basically told them all.... but i dnt mean to i started crying and let it slip... FUCK..... would u guys consider me one of those attention ppl????? i know i dont want attention i want help.... i never let them show but seirously..... DAM IT LOL..

deleted_user 08/10/2007

i agree to a certain extent because i know a girl who does that and its because she has suffered from neglegt her parents leave her in the house and go out almost everynight and go on holiday without her 4/5 timeas a year they only ever talk 2 her drunk
she does it so people give her attension which i know is the wrong way to go around it
i have talked to her and shown her mine she looked absolutly horrified cus i told her if you wanna end up like me go ahead it has seemed to stop her for now
i hated the fact i had to show her and im terrified she will tell people but it was the only way i could show her what she could end up like! was i wrong to do that?

deleted_user 08/10/2007

yes. those few whom do it for attetion are bougus.They r the ones that make those of us whom spent most/better portion of r lives trying to hide the scars called dergotory marks like self mutilators and attetion seekers.those r evil terms.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

Well, for what its worth, I think anyone who's self-harming needs help, not judgement. And our condemning someone who shows their cuts as just attention seeking is not going to help them or us. Do we want to condone hiding our scars? Does this actually help anyone stop harming? Our self-hatred, and fear of others judgements, often fuel our furthered si. I think this girl probably does have a different problem to those of us that hide it, but its still a problem, in need of a compassionate and understanding solution.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

my best friend cut for attention all the time. it pissed me off cuz here i am struggling with this secret and in one second she undermines it. she makes it seem like its nothing cuz she can do it and flaunt it.

but people who cut for attention have a whole other set of problems. the reason my friend did it was because her father was a horrible physically and emotionally abusive man who didnt give her the time of day unless to tell her she was worthless. so she cut for attention to get his attention.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

p.s. there is a difference from being open and wanting attention
emmah a lot of friends know about my cutting. it doesnt mean i do it for attention. i just need people to talk to and i want them to know i am struggling. they are my support. i dont do it so that i can get their pity and oo's and ah's

please dont worry about telling people. its not like you are waving your scars in a roomful of people hoping someone notices

deleted_user 08/10/2007

i can't stand people you cut for attention,but there is a difference between attention seeking and people who are comftable with others seeing the injuries. for years i never allowed anyone to see my cuts because i did not want anyone to know,i was ashamed!, but a couple of years ago i stopped hidding them and now where short sleeve t.shirts,i figure why should i care what other people think,why should i be made to feel guilty about my appearence,don't get me wrong i am not proud,i hate my cutting but i made a decision not to let others rule my life or to dictate how i should feel!very few people even remark on my scars,and i no longer feel uncomftable.

deleted_user 08/10/2007

i dont like it when people do it for attentuion.

deleted_user 08/11/2007

i HATE it when people do it for attention.

EmmaammE 08/11/2007

When i was at school my 'friend' use to carve symbols and names of people in our class into her arm and then show them off like some sort of tatto and no1 said anything whilst i was constantly being watched coz the head of school saw my cuts by mistake.

cookiemon 08/11/2007

i agree that people who show off there scars are making it bad for the si's who genuinely cut to hide but sometimes showing off the scars can open you up and stop you being so ashamed. i'm open minded i used to hide my scars when i was cutting but now i am clean i don't, this has shown me not to be as embaressed or ashamed. at the end of the day si's cut wheather you show it or not isnt the point. the point is that for any reason we cut and that is what needs to be addressed. if they want attention then thats them but we all have different reasons for doing this, in the end we all need understanding don't we

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