what I want you to know about cutting

.
What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions. It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s post is by an anonymous reader. My road down self injury started with a diagnosis of depression when I was 14 and a prescription that didn’t work. I tried cutting because I had heard about it as a coping mechanism and I needed to do something. I later got psychiatric help for my depression and gradually got to a better place. My depression and anxiety faded with therapy and medication but my urge to self injure has never left. I don’t cut all the time; the frequency varies and I’ve become good at hiding my scars. I’m now 20 and still struggle with self injury from time to time. There are an incredible amount of people who self injure, both men and women of all ages. We don’t want attention and the majority of the time we’re not suicidal. We hurt on the inside and its a way of release. Unfortunately, that release can become addictive like any unhealthy habit. This is a symptom of mental illness and we don’t need stares and whispers, we need help.