I used to cut as a teenager. I had a few shards of obsidian rock (glass-like sharpness) that I used to cut my arms and legs. It was only ever a few cuts each time, and not very deep. I wasn't to the point (at that time) of trying to damage myself, I just needed the feeling of the sharp pain, the endorphins, and to watch the cuts heal over the days that followed.

In my later teen years, when things were really bad at home, I started burning my skin (hands, arms, legs, feet), or scratching through the skin til the point of bleeding. With those activities, it wasn't about the sensation, it was about the damage done. I would pick at the scabs instead of letting them heal, causing some scars that are still with me to this day (some 15 - 20 years later), while the cutting scars are completely gone (except for one on my ankle).

Haven't cut or burned (or scratched) in at least 12 years, although sometimes when things have gotten bad I've bitten myself for the pain sensation (but without breaking skin). Overall I'd consider myself totally over the self-harming behavior, as the biting doesn't cause any damage, and it's more of just a comfort thing than a coping mechanism. If that makes any sense.

I could never cut myself. Too afraid.

I marked not anymore but I didn't really seriously cut myself. I gave myself a few minor scratches that have left no marks on my legs. I am pretty sure that I did it for attention, it was right after puberty hit and I was seriously depressed and angry and no one noticed. I just wanted someone to notice that something was wrong.

Wow, it does look like we have a lot of cutters/former cutters here so far.

Its on and off, but i don't cut my arms anymore. The scars they leave are very visible, and go up all my left arm, with one very large scar closer to the inside of my elbow . I used to cut like everyday, now i only do it when i'm feeling really depressed. The newest scars are mostly on my chest. 
Its my coping method, its stupid, its dumb, its pointless, but it helps with the anger.
I also get the same release when i get hit in the face by a soccer ball or get punched. It makes me feel weirdly alive.

Quote from: aydan_boy on June 17, 2010, 12:11:45 AM
Its on and off, but i don't cut my arms anymore. The scars they leave are very visible, and go up all my left arm, with one very large scar closer to the inside of my elbow . I used to cut like everyday, now i only do it when i'm feeling really depressed. The newest scars are mostly on my chest. 
Its my coping method, its stupid, its dumb, its pointless, but it helps with the anger.
I also get the same release when i get hit in the face by a soccer ball or get punched. It makes me feel weirdly alive.

Suggestion: work out. Work yourself to exhaustion, it's potentially difficult, painful, but satisfying. And it benefits you physically. If you can't lift or anything, a good hard run helps with anger. Kicking the ground

I like to think I'm in recovery cause I never know when I'm going to fall off that wagon. But since starting transitioning, I haven't had the urge to. Crossing my fingers that I'll never do it again

I havent cut, Im too scared

The first time I saw my psychologist, he asked if I cut myself and when I said no he came back saying that "cutting and self harm is more of a female thing"  I reckon he was probably just trying to make me not start cutting tho haha  Cause plenty of boys cut, just as well as girls.

I put not anymore I haven't done for a few years but still have scars on my legs from it and do still get the urge to do it sometimes but so far I haven't, that last time I self harmed I took a few layers off my leg with my own finger nails and yeah it got infected it was VERY painfull to walk and I had to go to my drs and get it treated and go back every few days to have the dressing changed.

I cut sometimes.. it helps me release my anger and frustration.

but

I have switched to being a masochist and allowing my other S&M friends punch me around, choke me, and sometimes my boyfriend punches me in the face and I really enjoy it.. and I think if i was really upset, that would be more effective then cutting for me.

Thanks SilverFang. The minute I can sign up for boxing or soccer again, I will.

I kind of agree with your (harlee's) psychologist. Cutting is more of a girl thing. Woman are (to a point) more emotional then men, especially during the teen years, and more prone to depression as well.

Quote from: aydan_boy on June 17, 2010, 12:42:54 AM
Thanks SilverFang. The minute I can sign up for boxing or soccer again, I will.

I kind of agree with your (harlee's) psychologist. Cutting is more of a girl thing. Woman are (to a point) more emotional then men, especially during the teen years, and more prone to depression as well.

Speaking from a non-cutter viewpoint of course.

Gotta say though, I've only ever known female cutters. Guys I know think it's a sissy move. No offense intended. They get frustrated and they punch/kick things because well, it works.

Quote from: SilverFang on June 17, 2010, 02:56:12 AMThey get frustrated and they punch/kick things because well, it works.

I can attest to this. It rarely works, though.

Quote from: Lachlann on June 17, 2010, 02:58:18 AM
I can attest to this. It rarely works, though.

More or less probably works as well as cutting. Just assuming.

Quote from: SilverFang on June 17, 2010, 03:00:47 AM
More or less probably works as well as cutting. Just assuming.

Probably.

Quote from: SilverFang on June 17, 2010, 02:56:12 AM
Speaking from a non-cutter viewpoint of course.

Gotta say though, I've only ever known female cutters. Guys I know think it's a sissy move. No offense intended. They get frustrated and they punch/kick things because well, it works.

Sorry to break in - I haven't voted as I don't want to skew the results but this conversation made me smile. Apparently that's one area where I still qualify as an honorary guy then  Even today when I get really upset I will punch or kick the living **** out of something! Can be very theraputic - feel sorry for my poor pillow!

Mind you I do always try to make sure it is an inanimate object as I don't really like interpersonal violence.

Stangely enough I have also known a lot of MtF's who cut. Personally I never saw the point when from my perspective the problem usually wasn't me it was everyone else!

I voted "not at all", since I've never cut my wrists. I've cut my fingers, because I didn't want to kill myself; I just wanted to feel real pain. It really actually did help me to let go of my feelings that day, but I don't think I'll ever try to cut my wrists.

I have to say, I'm surprised how many people voted "not at all".

Quote from: aydan_boy on June 17, 2010, 12:11:45 AM
Its on and off, but i don't cut my arms anymore. The scars they leave are very visible, and go up all my left arm, with one very large scar closer to the inside of my elbow . I used to cut like everyday, now i only do it when i'm feeling really depressed. The newest scars are mostly on my chest. 
Its my coping method, its stupid, its dumb, its pointless, but it helps with the anger.
I also get the same release when i get hit in the face by a soccer ball or get punched. It makes me feel weirdly alive.

Yeah, I find that I never cut when I have a lot of healthy physical social outlets - contact sports with guys, wrestling and play-fighting, etc. The times in my life when I've cut the most have been when I've isolated myself or when my friends have insisted on treating me like a delicate little flower. The times I've cut the least have been when I was doing stuff like firefighting or aircraft maintenance (accumulating several minor injuries each day) and then socializing as 'one of the guys' on my off time.

I wish working out did the same thing for me, but I think what I'm going for is the adrenaline, not the endorphins. Skiing and skydiving do it...running just makes me feel like hell, and lifting is great but doesn't affect me that way. I think it's that I don't use cutting as a painkiller, I use it as a stimulant.

I voted not anymore. I cut from 14 to 17. Like Ryan it was an addiction for me, it consumed my life while I was doing it. My arms and legs are really scarred up.

Even though I said not anymore I still occasionally do it but it's so rare thses days.

by the way, I've known several cis guys who cut. There's an enormous social stigma against it, much more so than for girls (who can usually find other girls who self-harm), because it is seen as a "sissy" move. But that doesn't mean guys don't do it. We do it, and then we join right in on the bandwagon making fun of the "emo kids who cut themselves." If we have any friends left to joke with at that point, anyway - depression and social isolation seem to be major common factors in male cutting.