WarKittyKat
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AMA: Questions about self-harm
I'm not a professional, but I've dealt with self-harm both on my own account and from friends, as well as done a fair amount of research. So just a little something for people to ask questions on, and I'll do my best to answer, and provide documentation where asked.
Edit: For anyone concerned, I don't currently self-harm, though I did for maybe 5 years off and on.
Edit 2: Something that might surprise people is my age. I really started at 19 and continued up until age 24 or so. For the latter part of that I was a college instructor as well as a student, having to look professional.
thehealingpiss
are you sexually attracted to owls tho?
Rehrei
are you single??
WarKittyKat
Last I checked, yes. Not interested in men though.
silverfang1992
Why do you do it?
WarKittyKat
For me, it was mostly stress relief. I was under huge pressure, untreated PTSD, and couldn't cope with my responsibilities. (1/2)
WarKittyKat
I didn't have a lot of support and I had to finish college to get away from some bad situations. It let me look ok enough to finish. (2/2).
silverfang1992
Do you now have enough support for these activity? And are you planning to do this again? (I'm hoping the answer is no, though)
silverfang1992
Like someone you could talk to or to stop the bleeding or anything?
ObiWanCanBlowMeE
Show us a picture of your scars!
WarKittyKat
Worst scarring is on my stomach - there are some higher/lower but not showing those. http://imgur.com/5r1CdEQ
WarKittyKat
Luckily the few on my arms are very faint, enough that no one ever notices unless I point them out.
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WarKittyKat
Blade from a disposable razor. They got so bad though because I'd tear the scabs off and not let them heal.
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Sinseer
Why is cutting yourself a better solution than cutting your rapist?
WarKittyKat
Hurting someone doesn't take away PTSD - it just lands you in jail. I don't want to hurt him so much as get on with my life.
Sinseer
Sorry, *attempted to take it away. I hate accidently hitting enter.
Sinseer
Seems to me like it would be more like taking control back over your life from someone who forcefully took it away from you.
WarKittyKat
Even so it wouldn't really abate the symptoms. It wouldn't take back what he did. If I had a shot at getting him punished I would (1/2)
WarKittyKat
But I don't think it would have really made me feel better, especially since I was already kind of messed up from other shit. (2/2)
Sinseer
Your story sounds like my ex's. I wanted so much to help her, but some baggage is just too heavy. Glad to hear that you are pulling through
oohsam
Do you like the attention you get when people look at your scars, or do you hide them out of shame?
DLWheeler0510
Depends on the person. I don't like the attention but i'm sure some people do. I'm guessing most don't though.
WarKittyKat
Personally I didn't really cut in areas that would be normally exposed. But it's kind of meh. (1/2)
WarKittyKat
If I have some exposed (rare as I'm a modest gal) if people want to look they'll look, but I'm not wearing clothes to draw attention. (2/2).
oohsam
Thanks for the reply. I want to know though, is it something you look forward to doing, when you get home if you had a bad day?
WarKittyKat
See my edit. But I generally carried small blades with me and would slip off to the bathroom.
oohsam
Hey, I'm really glad you don't do it anymore. And I hope you're mentally better. if you ever want to talk a stranger you can pm me aytime