I harm myself on purpose. I never do it because I need to cope, I do it because I like the pain and like to have something on my body. I know I should stop, but I don't want to. Why is that?

I think everyone has a different reason as to why they self-harm; there's no one reason, and some people may have multiple, overlapping reasons for doing so. I think a reason as to why someone might not want to stop hurting themselves, is because this act of self-harming serves a function for them. Be it as a coping mechanism, or providing a sharp sensation of pain, or a mark on ones skin. Once something serves a function to us, we tend to do it repeatedly, and that becomes a habit. And it becomes hard to break out of a habit, because there is familiarity in that, and familiarity brings comfort.

In my own experience, I think that maybe you a suffering with self-hatred. First, you should find someone for help, asking someone you are close enough to recognize your strength, and you can calm your self. And day by day, build your self-esteem. Believe me, everyone is an expert but in different aspects. When you realize it and feel that your body worth loving, you can quite stop harming yourself. However, if it's getting worse, find a therapist. I can point you to the 7 Cups Guide. At last, we 7 Cups hope you find the way out soon.

A lot of people don't want to stop self harming because they feel that pain that they don't usually feel. Or because they see that they actually bleed and know that they are actually alive where some people feel empty. It's hard to fully stop, but it's up to you to stop self harming. Ask for help. You're never alone. Lean on the people who care and love you. Also if you can contact a hotline if you're suffering badly. Get the help proper help you deserve and stay strong. No one deserves to feel pain or to suffer.

The mind works in odd ways and so does the body. I'm not sure why you feel okay with it but perhaps it's something psychological? Maybe it's a habit that comes from your childhood, it could be a hereditary thing or perhaps it's a coping mechanism you have when you are stressed and/or encounter situations that make you feel negative emotions. I am not quite sure but try and ask a professional like a therapist or someone you trust to see if they can help you find out why Hope this helps you even a little bit!

Sometimes we want our outward appearance to reflect our internal pain, it's a way to express our sense of identity. I learned that there are other, healthier way of expressing myself that were just as effective, and I learned how to communicate myself through words so I didn't have to communicate myself through scars. I hope that helps someone to understand themselves! It was difficult for me to realize that about myself at the time, but I'm glad I realized it later on. No one in my family at the time knew how to deal with it, I'm happy for this community.

Your body may have got used to the feeling if you have been doing it for a long period of time but please don't anymore! Your life is so important, I know sometimes it can be difficult to stop but it's so worth it when you do! Never give up on yourself as you have a bright future ahead of you just gotta stay strong and keep going even if it feels very tempting it's honestly the best thing to do if you can stop! Easier said than done but it's so worth it in the long run! Keep going

If you are harming yourself on purpose for the pain and think that it is something to have on your own body, this is concerning. I know self harm does not seem like a way to cope, but it is almost like it is your own support system because you need to feel it on you and you need to see it on you, just like love. You harm yourself to feel something and to see something. It is something that is not healthy doing and you need to find something or someone that can replace that temporary makeshift support system to give you what you truly need.

When we go through some problems that are too big for us, we all tend to react in different ways. For some, it is just mentally troublesome. For some, it is expressed physically. I personally believe this type of tendency occurs when we tend to visualise our hurt. When the wounds are mental, we are not able to heal it the way we would if it were physical. The wound on the skin in a physical representation of our problems or hurt. The hurt we have faced mentally is an abstract thing. And because of that we don't know how to heal. Seeing it physically shows us how to treat it.

I would purposely harm myself as well. I always did it because I would feel a surge of overwhelming emotions and didn't know what to do with those feelings. For instance, if I had a very unpleasant conversation with someone or saw / read / heard something triggering, I felt the need to hurt myself. This might be because you don't have any other ways to relieve yourself of overwhelmimg emotions. You might not have someone in your life whom you can talk to freely about your pain and feelings. Similarly, you might not have something relieving to do either. This lack of alternatives might fuel you to hurt yourself when you know you shouldn't.

When we like things, it is hard to stop doing them. We can get into habits of doing things that aren’t good for us, even if we know they aren’t. Feeling the pain is maybe addicting to you, and it’s not easy to quit an addiction. Seeking professional help from someone you trust is the healthiest and most useful way I have dealt with addicting behavior before. Finding support groups with others going through the same thing is also super helpful. If you are harming yourself, no matter how good it feels or how hard it is to stop, is a dangerous thing that can be hard to manage alone. Reaching out to trusted adults or professionals is the best thing you can do right now.