I have an obsession with cutting, but I don't want to get therapy since they all treat me like I'm insane, which they aren't so far off, but I don't want my parents to know about it. Any advice?

it's your life do whatever you want just don't cut other people or animals

Hey I know how it feels. and I think you should just tell your parents that you cut. Chances are that they are going to try to get you to therapy, just find the right therapist for you, and tell them that you don't want someone that will treat you life you're some type of demon from a far away land. To tell them, maybe just find a time when the three of you are alone and say "mom, dad I need to tell you something" or " I seem to have an obsession with cutting and I just wanted to tell you that" or something I'm sorry this is the best I could do. As for your body, please treat yourself with care, because I honestly love you no matter how fucked up you think you are,

Have you tried teenline yet? they are people who listen to your situation over the phone! they don't even ask for your ID in any way~ just pick a line to call and talk to them about it~ :)

I have more issues that a sports illustrated magazine. For example mother son issues

Hello there. Just wanted to say that you and I are very much alike. It really isn't that weird if you think about it. I assume you cut yourself, but in a non-lethal way? Experiencing pain releases endorfins, which causes you to feel happiness, or relief. How do you feel when you cut yourself? Is there something that triggers it?

My suggestion is to cut old plastic jugs filled with water. That's what my brother does with his katanas

I also like burning stuff mainly pencils

I know there are lots of alternatives to cutting, but I can't remember at the moment! The one I can remember is holding a piece of ice against the area you wish to cut or in the palm of your hand.

I can understand you not wanting your parents to know, but sometimes it's for your own good to tell them, and try to make them understand. Self-harm is not to be romanticized in any way, shape, or form. I wouldn't push yourself, but if the advice from a stranger across the internet counts for anything, I just want to say that I'm sorry that you have this problem. I wish you the best in finding a way to deal with it.

Take care, lovely.

Hmm..you have a rather complicated issue here. I see that you cut yourself to defend yourself from something, although I don't know why. I used to cut myself on the arm, although I manage to stop it once I was in the first year of senior high school. My advice if you don't want your parents know that you SHOULD wear a sweater or something to cover your arm or your exposed wounds. Although I recommend you not to cut yourself...really. I mean in the end, your parents will find out. They are PARENTS either way. If there's something wrong with their child, they bound to know.

A change of clothes, change of how you speak, they know. I'm just telling you to be careful whether you wanted to cut yourself. If you don't want them to get you a therapist then stop cutting yourself. But then again each humans have their own ways to defend themselves from others...

If that's how you defending yourself, then it's up to you. I do not say that your habits of cutting yourself is wrong, since each person have their own ways to defend themselves. Be careful so your parents won't find out~

Hi. First off, you're not insane. You have a physical response to certain and probably stressful life events. I'm saying this because I'm sure 100% of the population deal with stress in different ways and there are some who deal with it by cutting. Your reactions to stress may not be as healthy as what is accepted but it is still a valid reaction.

Second, I know you don't want to tell your parents or get therapy so you can try talking to someone you know won't judge you and help you through your day to day trials. Find someone you're comfortable with and someone you trust. Talking about what's going on usually helps you sort out what you're feeling eventually.

Although you're not comfortable about it, I would really recommend that you see a therapist to help you with sorting out what you feel you need to sort out. Therapists will not inform your parents about anything you've discussed unless what is happening to you poses a danger to yourself or to others. I will assure you that if you don't feel like the therapist you're seeing is being helpful then you can always end your relationship with the therapist.

I hope that things will be better for you :)

Here are some alternatives to self harm.

Cutting is a very harmful habit. My advice to you would be to tell someone and get help. Maybe talk to a school guidance counselor and see what options you have. I know you're scared of how your parents will react, but they love you and would want you to get better.

Here are some websites that can help as well:
http://thequietplaceproject.com/
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
http://www.relaxonline.me.uk/sa1/index.html

You are most likely not insane. Cutting is an addiction that cause one to use physical pain to rid themselves of emotional pain. You feel bad, so use more things that feel bad and they cancel each other out for a while, like a drug. (Not a good metaphor.)

Step 1. (Not professional, just opinion) Get help. Go on Wikipedia and get online help. It's their, just look for it.

If you don't wanna do that, try this...

1- Identify what emotions you feel before and after you cut. What is making you sad? Is it when you remember a lost loved one? Is it when you feel bored, or useless?

When you begin to feel those emotions, try to do something else, rather than cutting. I recommend taking a notebook or computer and writing/typing out all you feelings, they burning the sheet of paper they're written/typed on.

2. Identify your problem spot. Is there a certain spot in your room/house where you are prone to cutting?

Don't go there. Don't keep anything sharp there, or with you in general.

3. Getting help from a professional and telling your parents is the best thing you could do, unless your situation at home is not ideal. Then get online help. It's there.


You've got this! Keep fighting!

In my case I don't recomend online help.

But not a prof does as a good point. You should find what you like and keep yourself busy and away from the danger zones.

Question yourself. Actually there is holy land and suicide island both made by the same author and it might be a good start to vent out if you got absolutly nothing to do or a depresion is priving you from enjoying what you liked. Both bring interesting question and altough it dosen't cure you it since it is you who started reading it you started accepting the ideas to a certain degree... Higher chances of geting questions and answers.

I would love to give alternatives, but I don't know what you like and what causes it... So I can only say I hope you get better.

Hey who knows maybe watching funny commentators might be just what you need to be cheered up and then look forward to whats comming next!