Does cutting for only a few months and stopping make me any less of a self-harmer?

No, of course not. Self-harming is a painful struggle. It can really take what you love from you and leave you with nothing. But everybody experiences it differently and your experiences are not comparable to anybody else's. Even if your struggles with self-harm only last for a few months, it does not mean that those struggles were not valid. Even one tiny cut means you had to be sad enough to hurt yourself. You suffered, and there's no sugarcoating that. Don't let others diminish your past or how you feel, but instead be proud of how far you have come.

Everyone's experience is something that is personal and important. I don't think that anyone should be 'any less of a self-harmer' just because they stopped. The phrasing 'any less of a self-harmer' seems to suggest that self harm is an accomplishment and would unhelpfully motivate someone to self harm more. Instead of being any less- it is strong of you to be able to stop even after a few months. After all, we shouldn't look at one's pain and ignore it just because it seems small in comparison to someone elses'. Hard experiences are something that should not be compared as they are extremely personal. So no, cutting for only a few months and stopping certainly does not make you any less of a self-harmer. Instead, good job on stopping and I'm proud of your growth.

Hi! I'm liainsalia, I couldn't help but notice the error you made in your question! It's never "only". No matter how long it was, even if it was once, it doesn't take away from the fact that you did it and the pain that led you to do so. It does not make you any less of a self-harmer and it doesn't mean that you aren't "going through as much" as someone who's done it longer than you. We aren't here to compare nor measure pain because it never was a contest to begin with. I, for starters, acknowledge that you're hurting regardless of the physical "proof" you may or may not have to show for it. You're hurting, regardless of doing it for a month or a year and I want you to know that there is someone out there who understands that. I'm here to chat if you ever want to.

The short answer is yes and no. Cutting happens in response to painful emotions, as a way to temper them, or keep them at bay altogether. If cutting is akin to being an addiction, then the only way to be cutter-free is do the same thing that an alcoholic or substance abuser must do: not do it at all, not even one time because, like the other two addictions, one "drink" may have you right back you were when you stopped. However, because cutting is a compulsion rather than a physiological addiction, the knowledge and past success at stopping can help someone successfully address the relapse.

First off, good work stopping! I know that can be difficult. That's a good question. I think that depends on how you want to define "self-harmer" for yourself. I know that's kind of a non-answer, but the truth is there's no "standard" for becoming a self-harmer. The words "self-harmer" can seem negative, and in a way they are, but I'd also like to say that many people go through that struggle and that there's no shame in your problems. All in all, it's up to you how to define it, but remember that "self-harmer" can't define you as a person.

In my lived experience, self harm has taken many forms--cutting, starving, drinking, self-isolation, and more. For me, self harming is a wordless response to coping with trauma. The truth that I have accepted is that the urge to find some way to self harm as a coping mechanism will always be inside me somewhere. I am grateful that I am able to manage these urges by (1) using coping mechanisms learned in therapeutic intervention, and (2) with medication. Becoming aware of the underlying dynamics of why I was self harming has been very meaningful in my ongoing recovery. I have become more skilled in managing my metacognitive functions--mainly monitoring how I'm thinking about stressors and triggers. As they say, knowledge is power, and it has saved my life.

Cutting is a form of self-harm that unfortunately helps often young people to cope with overwhelming emotions temporarily. However, it is self-destructive in nature; it is not only dangerous, but it is not helpful in the long term. Whenever you feel like cutting yourself, you should reach out to someone. I don't believe that it is a bad habit that should just be reduced gradually. Unlike cutting down on smoking or alcohol to overcome addictions. Cutting should not be done at all as it can cause immense feelings of shame after you do it and this can make everything a lot worse. Mutilating your body should not be used as a means for reducing your stress. You should seek out healthier options and this can be done by speaking to someone you can trust. This could be a doctor, a therapist, or a good friend.

Hello there, thanks for reaching out! Issues such as these can be hard to muster up the courage to seek help from others. To answer your question, there is no "less" to being a self-harmer. It sounds like you feel that stopping the cutting means that your issues or concerns are not as valid as other people's. This is not the case at all! Being able to stop cutting does not invalidate your experiences, rather it is a great thing to accomplish and shows your determination and strength to get better and feel more stable! Remember that others are always around you to lend an ear if you ever need to exhaust your stress and worries!

I think that you *were* (key word) a self harmer. You have fought a hard battle and I don't think it's fair for you to label yourself as a self-harmer. You have worked hard to get yourself to where you are now and I'm proud of you. I hope that you can continue working to control your urges and find people that lift you up in life, because that is so so important. The people that make you smile, take your pain and make you want to live, hold onto them because they are special. You were a self-harmer. Now you are on the way to recovery. *hugs*

I am a self harmer myself I'd say it will get better in time with the right distractions and treatment I recommend telling a close friend how you feel this really helped me I am now a while month clean because i had good support from friends and college