stupid question >_<

[Loopi]

Ive been self harming for nearly four years. And I feel really stupid for asking this. do you have to be depressed to self harm?
see, on friday night God healed me from depression, he really did, i know it, i can feel it. And it was incredible, and something that has moved me so much. Yet even though i'm not depressed, i still want to cut.
I havent done it in 8days now. And even without depression life is still giving me a rough ride, flashbacks, memories, arguements, situations. And im drawing as close to God as i can be, i know i am far from the way i should be with him, but i am trying. But it just seems the overridding urge is to cut.
I dunno, i feel like cus im not depressed i cant justify my reason to cut,but....can u still feel like u wanna cut even if your not depressed?
sorry, i most prob make no sense

 

[the_pup_dog_ellie]

no such thing as stupid questions...only stupid answers!

i dont think you have to be depressed to SI....

 

[invisiblebabe]

Well, I struggle with other "milder" forms of self injury... so I can't say for certain about cutting in and of itself.... but my guess is that the behavior itself is so addictive that it may not matter whether you're depressed or not... you just got used to doing it, so you want to keep it up.

I would try rewarding yourself with something for each day that you don't cut... maybe a dessert... maybe a new book or playing with a pet... something. That should help decrease the behavior somewhat.

God's blessings

Kayli

 

[Leta]

Loopi,

Well hun, cutting is an adddiction depression is an emotion. I can be having a perfectly fine day and at the end of the day cut anyway. It sounds to me you are having a really rough time and cutting is your way of dealing with it. I'm glad you haven't cut in 8 days hun that's wonderful! Keep looking to God and getting closer to Him and it'll get easier!
God Bless,
Saleta

 

[BlackRain]

i wasn't depressed when i cut. i did it out of anger and frustration. i have a good life, but i just didn't know how to deal with stress that well.
keep trying, girl!! don't give up on this. tell the Lord what's goin on. when you have flashbacks and so on pray about it. bring yourself in to Christ. let him release you from what you're going thru. don't lose hope.

 

[_sunshinegirl]

No, cutting is about control .. over anything it is related to your emotions but not necessarily depression.
In my personal case I cut when I got upset, 'wrongly accused', or just felt like feeling pain.
Each person cuts for a different side reason, if you feel fine and are truely not depressed, then there is something else fueling your want to cut.

 

[sparrow]

Cutting can also be a coping mechanism. If you've been doing it for 4 years (even if you were healed of depression) (which is AWESOME by the way) you may still feel the need to cut, else you might feel like you're not coping even if you are.

It may be a long process. But by becoming free of depression you're already on the right road. Don't be discouraged. The self-injury may get less and eventually stop as you feel less and less need to do it, as you realise you're coping.

Pray about it. And I'm so happy that God healed you.

 

[Bevlina]

I believe it could be a coping mechanism too. I really can't understand it, but, I think that most folk who injure themselves have a very, very deep grief they are trying to forget.
I could be wrong! Personally, I don't like pain of any kind. But, I do feel that the person who SI's has deep emotional issues with depression as well.
Am I right or wrong?
Like, this has been going on for centuries hasn't it?

 

[Loopi]

Beliva, yea i think your right. Thank you to all who replied to me, i guess my depression was much easier to blame my self harm on, andnow i am free of that i was unsure whether i was justified to feel the way i do. I am now 11days free, of which i am proud but i am still fighting to keep that going.
I was sexually abused by my best mate nearly four years ago, i believe it may contribute to why i cut, as i began cutting after that happened.
anyway, i cant make much sense of what im saying, had a rough night last night, am getting closer to blowing how long ive been self harm free for

 

[always_hope]

I agree about it being both addictive and a coping mechanism. I don't think someone has to be depressed to SI.

I'm so glad God healed your depression and I am proud of you for the 8 days!

Hope