Comments on: Self-Injury Awareness Day http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:24:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Hugo Schwyzer http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-372464 Hugo Schwyzer Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:18:39 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-372464 I'm so grateful, Megan, that your life has turned around for you -- and I hope too that your scars will do for you what they have done for me, which is become tools for reaching others in need. All the best. I’m so grateful, Megan, that your life has turned around for you — and I hope too that your scars will do for you what they have done for me, which is become tools for reaching others in need. All the best.

]]> By: Megan http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-372443 Megan Sun, 08 Jun 2008 00:48:08 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-372443 Mr. Hugo, I want to thank you for writing this post. I believe more people should be informed about self-mutilation or self-injury, whichever you prefer. I very deeply disagree with Malkin and her viewpoint. Yes, I would be a fool not to agree that there are some who harm themselves because of how popular it has become; however, no one has the right to state this is true for almost everyone! People self-mutilate, I do not desire to offend anyone with this term so I apologize, but people self-mutilate for many reasons that cannot be written down and applied to all who harm themselves. There are those who self-mutilate for attention, pain, popularity, etc. I ought to shed some light on who I am first, before continuing. I am a former self-mutilator who was addicted to it for several years, beginning when I was 13 years old and ending when I was 16 years old. I am now about to be 18 years old and am past it. I bear scars on my left arm, both legs, and shoulders. I cut myself for several reasons, most of which are posted in your article with the exception being the feeling of control. I cut to punish myself for my actions against others and my owm emotions. I cut to express to people what was going on in my head and to cry for help on how to fix the mess in my head. I would even cut and beat myself for cutting myself. It made me feel better to know I was receiving justice for my wrong doings. It granted me relief from my pain. Cutting seemed to offer an escape from all the muck running through my veins. So, in a sense, I would blood-let to get rid of all the horrid pain and despair inside of me. Many people do not understand how serious an issue this is! I agree with you, that former self-mutliators who still bear the scars and who have not forgotten what it was like to be in that situation can help those who are in it the most. For those who have never harmed themselves, do not misunderstand me, you can help a whole lot too, but don't try to pretend like you can relate. That used to irritate me the most, adults who had no clue pretending they did. Parents who "freak out" or "flip" when they discover their child is self-mutilating hurts the person more than help. My own mother yelled at me and refused to listen when I attempted to explain what I was experiencing. She said it was foolishness and a habit I needed to break. She also threatened to cut me with a knife in an attempt to say it was stupid to hurt yourself. Parents need to learn that a reaction such as my mother's does more harm than help. I continued to self-mutilate in private for two more years and attempted suicide twice. As I have said, I am past that part of my life and now attempt to reach out to those silenting screaming for help. I am a Chrisian now and happier than ever. I bear my scars openly for all to see and, although tempted, I will never have them removed. It helps to see them, to remind myself it was true and to show others you can get past it. The more informed you are about this issue, the more you may be able to help. So many people do not bother to get to know the self-mutilator themself, but rather proclaim them a sick fool who needs to be shut away from the rest of society. I, yet, again thank you for this post. Mr. Hugo,
I want to thank you for writing this post. I believe more people should be informed about self-mutilation or self-injury, whichever you prefer. I very deeply disagree with Malkin and her viewpoint. Yes, I would be a fool not to agree that there are some who harm themselves because of how popular it has become; however, no one has the right to state this is true for almost everyone! People self-mutilate, I do not desire to offend anyone with this term so I apologize, but people self-mutilate for many reasons that cannot be written down and applied to all who harm themselves. There are those who self-mutilate for attention, pain, popularity, etc.
I ought to shed some light on who I am first, before continuing. I am a former self-mutilator who was addicted to it for several years, beginning when I was 13 years old and ending when I was 16 years old. I am now about to be 18 years old and am past it. I bear scars on my left arm, both legs, and shoulders. I cut myself for several reasons, most of which are posted in your article with the exception being the feeling of control. I cut to punish myself for my actions against others and my owm emotions. I cut to express to people what was going on in my head and to cry for help on how to fix the mess in my head. I would even cut and beat myself for cutting myself. It made me feel better to know I was receiving justice for my wrong doings. It granted me relief from my pain. Cutting seemed to offer an escape from all the muck running through my veins. So, in a sense, I would blood-let to get rid of all the horrid pain and despair inside of me.
Many people do not understand how serious an issue this is! I agree with you, that former self-mutliators who still bear the scars and who have not forgotten what it was like to be in that situation can help those who are in it the most. For those who have never harmed themselves, do not misunderstand me, you can help a whole lot too, but don’t try to pretend like you can relate. That used to irritate me the most, adults who had no clue pretending they did. Parents who “freak out” or “flip” when they discover their child is self-mutilating hurts the person more than help. My own mother yelled at me and refused to listen when I attempted to explain what I was experiencing. She said it was foolishness and a habit I needed to break. She also threatened to cut me with a knife in an attempt to say it was stupid to hurt yourself. Parents need to learn that a reaction such as my mother’s does more harm than help. I continued to self-mutilate in private for two more years and attempted suicide twice.
As I have said, I am past that part of my life and now attempt to reach out to those silenting screaming for help. I am a Chrisian now and happier than ever. I bear my scars openly for all to see and, although tempted, I will never have them removed. It helps to see them, to remind myself it was true and to show others you can get past it. The more informed you are about this issue, the more you may be able to help. So many people do not bother to get to know the self-mutilator themself, but rather proclaim them a sick fool who needs to be shut away from the rest of society. I, yet, again thank you for this post.

]]> By: John http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9089 John Wed, 23 Nov 2005 17:10:24 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9089 Hey guys just want to put some stuff down. I know what it is like to self-injury(cut). I used to be involved with it. I got over it by the power of Jesus only. I know that some here don't go to church. I am not pushing Christianity on anyone. However to get over anything, only Jesus can help the person. If anyone can send me info on this topic. I wish more churches know about self-injury address actually e-mail me before I get out to much personal stuff Thanks Hey guys just want to put some stuff down. I know what it is like to self-injury(cut). I used to be involved with it. I got over it by the power of Jesus only. I know that some here don’t go to church. I am not pushing Christianity on anyone. However to get over anything, only Jesus can help the person. If anyone can send me info on this topic. I wish more churches know about self-injury
address actually e-mail me before I get out to much personal stuff
Thanks

]]> By: Stephanie http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9088 Stephanie Tue, 15 Nov 2005 09:03:11 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9088 Ever since June 2004 I've been a cutter. I was abused as a child. My parents are really supportive and want to help me. The thing is I don't know if I can help myself. Does anyone have any good advice to help me? Ever since June 2004 I’ve been a cutter. I was abused as a child. My parents are really supportive and want to help me. The thing is I don’t know if I can help myself. Does anyone have any good advice to help me?

]]> By: Angel http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9087 Angel Wed, 26 Oct 2005 15:10:26 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9087 I have never been a cutter. I used to get the urge, but I overcame and learned to control myself, without ever putting blade to skin. Beleive me when I say it is not easy, but it can be done if you are serious about it. Think this way, your body is supposed to be a temple right? Well treat your temple the way God would want it to be treated. When you get the urge, just go for a run-not walk-run. The idea is to vent your emotional turmoil in a constructive not destructive way. If you cant run, just start smaller with push-ups, sit ups anything that will work your body and your mind. You also must think positivly-I know it is NOT an easy thing to do, but the harder you work and think, the closer you are to staying "cutting" free. Another great way is a steady, hard workout-punching bags, or weights; either one would work. The workout releases chemicals in your body that can help balance your unhappy, angry or depressive moods. Its like a happy pill- and it does work as long as you are consistant. Just a side note- cutting is not genetic. Cutting is a method of venting or expressing emotion without words. It is also dealing with control or the lack there-of. Children may not know how to express themselves with well modulated and articulate words, but the human will(even in the very young) does understand violence-ever see a temper tantrum? Some do take it further and if the parent is a cutter then they will see their own problems in the actions that the children take. It is not to worry as long as you the parent intervene and help your child learn more constructive and benifical methods for an outlet- and that may also help you in return-they is no greater modivation than the safety of your own child. Hugo- this site is a bleesing and I hope you do well it your indevors. You can affect so many young lives with your story. God Bless I have never been a cutter. I used to get the urge, but I overcame and learned to control myself, without ever putting blade to skin. Beleive me when I say it is not easy, but it can be done if you are serious about it. Think this way, your body is supposed to be a temple right? Well treat your temple the way God would want it to be treated. When you get the urge, just go for a run-not walk-run. The idea is to vent your emotional turmoil in a constructive not destructive way. If you cant run, just start smaller with push-ups, sit ups anything that will work your body and your mind. You also must think positivly-I know it is NOT an easy thing to do, but the harder you work and think, the closer you are to staying “cutting” free. Another great way is a steady, hard workout-punching bags, or weights; either one would work. The workout releases chemicals in your body that can help balance your unhappy, angry or depressive moods. Its like a happy pill- and it does work as long as you are consistant.

Just a side note- cutting is not genetic. Cutting is a method of venting or expressing emotion without words. It is also dealing with control or the lack there-of. Children may not know how to express themselves with well modulated and articulate words, but the human will(even in the very young) does understand violence-ever see a temper tantrum? Some do take it further and if the parent is a cutter then they will see their own problems in the actions that the children take. It is not to worry as long as you the parent intervene and help your child learn more constructive and benifical methods for an outlet- and that may also help you in return-they is no greater modivation than the safety of your own child.

Hugo- this site is a bleesing and I hope you do well it your indevors. You can affect so many young lives with your story. God Bless

]]> By: Hugo http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9086 Hugo Wed, 14 Sep 2005 22:07:30 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9086 We get better, Kim, by "burdening" the people who have been called by God to help us carry our burdens. Keep reaching out. It does get better. We get better, Kim, by “burdening” the people who have been called by God to help us carry our burdens. Keep reaching out. It does get better.

]]> By: Kim http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9085 Kim Wed, 14 Sep 2005 21:52:28 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9085 Hi, I just stumbled across your site on this particular journal-blog-page-thing. I have been a self-injurer for 3 years, and for a long time, I had no idea why I was doing it. Now I'm trying to get a grip on it after all this time of being confused and hurt...I recently told my youth pastor about it (first person I told) and I think he's taking it reasonably well, although I feel like I'm 'burdening' him with it :/ By no means do I enjoy harming myself; I hate it. I hope I'll be able to stop someday, but for now I'm trying to find better ways to get by. I find the comment by JIC hurtful: "I had dismissed the practice as something that extreme right-wingers would do to train themselves to be good soldiers." I can't believe people would think self-injury as something so trivial as to associate it with politics. :( Thank you for recognizing this issue in your journal...it's encouraging. Hi, I just stumbled across your site on this particular journal-blog-page-thing.

I have been a self-injurer for 3 years, and for a long time, I had no idea why I was doing it. Now I’m trying to get a grip on it after all this time of being confused and hurt…I recently told my youth pastor about it (first person I told) and I think he’s taking it reasonably well, although I feel like I’m ‘burdening’ him with it :/

By no means do I enjoy harming myself; I hate it. I hope I’ll be able to stop someday, but for now I’m trying to find better ways to get by.

I find the comment by JIC hurtful: “I had dismissed the practice as something that extreme right-wingers would do to train themselves to be good soldiers.”

I can’t believe people would think self-injury as something so trivial as to associate it with politics. :(

Thank you for recognizing this issue in your journal…it’s encouraging.

]]> By: Daisy http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9084 Daisy Tue, 06 Sep 2005 11:19:29 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9084 Hey I've read that - its pretty cool - and I related to it real strongly Did you know the mother wrote a book too telling her story - pretty smart having both stories together - that must be real unusual. It is interesting seeing the two sides of it together and how they worked together to deal with it. think folk could learn from this. The other book is To Walk on Eggshells Hey I’ve read that - its pretty cool - and I related to it real strongly Did you know the mother wrote a book too telling her story - pretty smart having both stories together - that must be real unusual. It is interesting seeing the two sides of it together and how they worked together to deal with it. think folk could learn from this. The other book is To Walk on Eggshells

]]> By: Paula http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9083 Paula Mon, 29 Aug 2005 04:37:51 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9083 Have you ever come across a book written by Suzy Johnston? It is really good and gives greatinsight. It could help your students and your colleagues on quite a lot of issues. The Naked Bird Watcher Can be bought in shops or on the internet and she also has a site at www.thecairn.com Have you ever come across a book written by Suzy Johnston? It is really good and gives greatinsight. It could help your students and your colleagues on quite a lot of issues.

The Naked Bird Watcher

Can be bought in shops or on the internet and

she also has a site at http://www.thecairn.com

]]> By: Lyvonne http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9082 Lyvonne Tue, 31 May 2005 14:11:41 +0000 http://hugoschwyzer.net/2005/03/01/self-injury-awareness-day/#comment-9082 i am a cutter too and i think that it is great that people are finaly trying tounderstand us and are tying to help in any and every way that they can. my mother told me that she doesnt know how she missed the signs that i would some day have this problem. when i was little and i did something bad i would bite myself untill i drew blood. but that was then and this is now right? i am going to be a senior in high school next year and i am already starting on my senior project which is on self-mutilation and societies views on the subject. i am trying to get peoples stories to get a better grasp myself. i used to think that i was all alone and that i was a freak but that all changed when i started finding help pages and forums and all. i am so glad that there are people out there that actually want to listen adn help. thanks for this i am now trying to stop hurting myself and telling what i know is part of the healing process. i am a cutter too and i think that it is great that people are finaly trying tounderstand us and are tying to help in any and every way that they can.

my mother told me that she doesnt know how she missed the signs that i would some day have this problem. when i was little and i did something bad i would bite myself untill i drew blood. but that was then and this is now right?

i am going to be a senior in high school next year and i am already starting on my senior project which is on self-mutilation and societies views on the subject. i am trying to get peoples stories to get a better grasp myself.

i used to think that i was all alone and that i was a freak but that all changed when i started finding help pages and forums and all. i am so glad that there are people out there that actually want to listen adn help. thanks for this i am now trying to stop hurting myself and telling what i know is part of the healing process.

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