cutting my face
 

I recently cut my face. My friends and family were really worried that I would "permanantly disfigure" myself (their words). Also the paramedic said they had seen hundreds of people who had cut their arms but I was the first one who had cut their face. I keep getting told its not the "normal" way to SI. I am really struggling to see the problem and the difference to cutting elsewhere. And since when is any kind of SI "normal"? So yeah, I was just wondering your views on this and am I really alone in cutting my face?

Thanks x

They shouldn't have really used the word "normal" because no-one is normal.
People SI in many different places so don't feel ashamed because other people told you it isn't normal.

hi purple elephant,

i have cut my face on a few occasions. i found it really difficult though, since i can't really see what i'm doing, and using a mirror wasn't really helpful.

so you're not alone. do you have any insight into why you want to harm yourself, face or otherwise?

stella xo

I'd say the one reason that most people avoid cutting their face is that you can't hide it and most people prefer to keep their scars hidden. x

I think the reason they said it's not normal, and the reason they said you're the first one they've seen cut on their face, is just that most ppl do it in places they can cover up. I've never cut my face, but...obviously others have. Maybe it's not common, but I wouldnt say it's normal or abnormal, just...some do it, some dont.

I've never done it before. But I recently saw a movie called It's Kind of a Funny story and the main girl who self injures cut her face. I know it's a movie, but still.

^ This.

I've had urges to but always stopped it because of this.

I bruise my face, theres so many excuses to say with bruises.. please stay strong.. xx <3

In the past ive scratched my face with my nails. But never cut...

I personally dont think that cutting on your face is any different to anywhere else. None of it is whats concidered to be "normal" behaviour.

x

Hiya,

I guess, like other have said - most people do it on their arms, legs, stomach as it is easier to hide.

I used to have this weird thing when where I would self-harm I would have to cut my hand too? Regardless of the area I harmed. Everyone is different and decided to cope in different ways - even if it is a similar style.

I know of one person who cut their face; I guess everyone has the areas they will abuse and won't.

You aren't alone and I hope you are okay.

x

Hey, I guess I wanted to say what everyone has said really, that people 'normally' cut on their arms/legs etc - places that can be covered easily.

Maybe the paramedic said it wasn't 'normal' because it wasn't 'normal' to them. Like the normal SI cases they see to are in the 'normal' places where you expect people who SI to cut, and because this was the first time they had seen it been done somewhere different to the usual places, they thought that it wasn't 'normal' for someone to cut there?

If that makes sense?

Try not to worry too much, When I was younger, I used to cut my face, I used to tell people my cat did it, no one ever thought it was SH and I knew no one would, because I was young.
So your not alone, no.
x

I have cut on my face&neck before, it isn't the "norm" for an SI'er to cut there, but many do, I guess people are just used to associating SI with cutting their arms/legs/thighs/stomach etc where it can be easily hid.

*cuddles*
I'm sorry you went through this.
x

Does RYL still sell "Damn Cat" stuff"? Cats got all ther blame around here back in the day lol

I remember that :-p
Good old daysssss :-p
I think it changed now though :( Sad times :-p

i have cut my face when disasosiated.
i cant even remember how i explained it to friends .
tbh it would be best if you could try avoid harming your wee face

I know of people who have cut their face. I have once I think and I have cut my neck in the past. Its not common, but it does still happen.

Do you know why you harm your face, is there a particular reason you chose there?

xx

i have cut my face before once out of anger and once cus my arms were covered allready

Thanks for helping me understand this and for making me feel less alone. I really appreciate all your replies <3

I understand what a lot of you said about doing it in places easy to cover. Sometimes I feel frustrated with the pretending and the hiding so I might have done it because its impossible to hide. Thankfully I only have the one that will scar so I guess I'm lucky.

I'm really not sure why I did it. I guess I wanted the mirror to show how I feel inside - fat, ugly and disgusting. I was drunk and I had already cut off my hair earlier in the night. I've had urges for weeks and I suppose I must have snapped and given in to them. Hopefully it won't happen again.

I might try and watch this. I don't find films and things triggering so should be ok.

I used to cut my face and neck - I did it quite a few times. I cut there to punish myself, to make myself look ugly, the only thing was having to have dressings on my face for all to see but that was just an inconvenience for me, what people thought didn't bother me.

I thank god though that I didn't cut my face nearly as bad as everywhere else I cut and that the scars have faded to almost nothing. Im not bothered that i've disfigured my arms and legs but am thankful my face healed.