>How long have you been self harming? 15 years on and off (since I was 12-13)
>What made you start?My upbringing with a difficult family, their divorce, life stressors and the bullying and harassment I endured when it first arose circa primary / secondary school. Also body dysmorphia and the fledgling of an ED. It would return and dull coinciding with traumatic events in my life
>What types of self harm? At first just cutting, then escalating to cigarette burning and occasionally biting myself. In the last few years when it amped up brutally again I began to use glass shards and those left some umm pretty jagged scars
>are you trying to quit?I have been clean since late January and I'm trying to stay that way.
>any effective alternatives/ways to minimize harm? Being medicated now helps, but also turning my woes into art, writing, or resorting to anything else that isnt stabbing myself with the nearest sharp object. Sometimes I wail and cry until my chest hurts to weaken the emotional load.
>why do you self harm?I'm still processing trauma from my past and present and in unbelievable bursts of emotion I have no idea how to handle the sensory feeling. ive done it on and off so i was never consistent but when i'd do it, i'd do it in small, brutal streaks and the damage it left would be noticeable
>how does this effect your daily life? my arms and thighs are scar covered and i'm self conscious about them. It's like 77f out and I'm wearing leggings and a sweater. I'm terrified of being judged and ogled like a circus freak and in the past a few especially cruel men drive me to tears with their remarks
>any other places you go for support? Post too long. Click here to view the full text. 
