is self harm an addiction?
The story
i'm 20 years old and a woman facing something i honestly never thought i'd deal with. self harm. it's strange and confusing, and now that i've started, i just can't seem to stop! my family; they're worried sick but truthfully, their concern isn't really affecting me. should it? i don't know.
in the past few months, self harm has become somewhat of an anchor for me... one that i never asked for or particularly wanted, yet here we are. there's a sort of relief in it, if you can believe that. when things spiral out of control, this methodical act brings clarity in moments where none exists otherwise.
i question if i'm addicted? is it even possible to become addicted to harming myself? some days, it's like i'm standing under relentless storm clouds waiting for a break but finding none!
even with all the doubts sparking through my mind (shouldn't have to be like this!), i kinda feel stuck in this twisted cycle. am I seeking attention or merely releasing pent-up frustration??
has anyone else been here before??! would love any advice or personal stories; anything at all 😊
Stories in the same category
Points of view
hey, i'm really sorry you're going through this; it must be tough. self harm can become a tricky thing to deal with and it's pretty common for people to feel stuck in that loop. gotta say though, you might not see it now but there are other ways to find relief without causing yourself pain! i know someone who used art as an outlet instead of hurting themselves and they found it super helpful. maybe find something that gives you a similar release? also, reaching out to a therapist or counselor could make a world of difference; just having someone to talk about all the stuff going on in your head can lighten the load. you're way stronger than you even realize right now, keep holding on!
I understand where you're coming from but consider that self-harm might not be an addiction in the traditional sense of needing increasing doses for similar effects over time. It's more about an unhealthy coping mechanism rather than a strict physical dependency. Ideally, exploring healthier alternatives could bring the relief you seek without causing harm.