A question for those who have stopped SH

[~Laura~]

Hi Everyone,
Its been a long time since i posted on this forum.
I've been struggling a lot and i didn't even think about coming on here for support or help until today when it popped into my head as i was driving.

anyway, i haven't self harmed for years. I did it regularly for 6 years, then i met my fiance who helped me through everything. However i think about doing it pretty much daily and i wondered if this is normal, or well not normal, but i wondered if anyone else who has stopped still thinks about it?

Thanks

[Amaryllis]

I haven't for years and I still think about it on a regular basis. You're not alone.

[ParanormalChickenGeek]

I can totally identify with what you've said - from around age 14 to 19 I regularly self harmed, though with support from my boyfriend I managed to stop for five years, but unfortunately have done it twice in the past year. It's something I still think about a lot.

[Snow White.]

It's been about 6 years since I've self harmed and I still think of it. Much less frequently but it's still there. I just know it wouldn't be a helpful thing to do!

[tiptoes]

It's been 8 years since I regularly self harmed about 4 years since I last SH.

I still think about sometimes more frequently than others. Some weeks the thoughts are their daily and other times it can months between thoughts. You're not alone.

[Freedom Fighter]

I haven't SHed in 4+ years but I still think about it every few weeks

[~Laura~]

Thank you for your replies, i'm glad i'm not alone :)

[Aardbei]

I still think about it too - if I'm feeling bad or something happens that I don't like, it's instinctively the first option I consider. I think once you've been doing an addictive behaviour for a long time, those brain connections still persevere even once you've learned how to ignore the urges they still happen. So you're definitely not alone, and it's a sign of how far you've come that the thoughts no longer have power over you :)

[Shadow time]

Periodically I think about it but I never want to go back there. I hope it always remains in the past. I think the more years you put between yourself and SH the easier it gets and the urges lessen and lessen.

[raining_inmyhead]

Same... Its been four years with a fee slip ups since I regularly SI - think about it a lot still *hugs*

[Ballerina123]

It's been about 6/7 years since I last cut myself but when I'm depressed or stressed I still think about it. I have realised that I think about it less though and have been able to avoid ruminating on it as much.

I guess I keep reminding myself how addictive it can become so I know that even one tiny cut could make me fall back into regular harming again so I resist because that was a horrible time. Plus it make you feel worse about yourself in the long run because it leaves a scar for life.

But yea you're not alone in thinking this

[phoenix_M]

i wouldnt say i think about it daily but about once every 3-4 weeks i'll get a overwelming urge which last a couple of days and i just have to ride it out

[little_munchkin]

This kind of thinking is what's lead me to log onto this site for the first time in 5 years (and not having SH'd for the same amount of time), it's comforting to know I'm not alone in still thinking about it after all these years

[Dragon_Smoke]

It's been 8 years since I regularly SHed and nearly 3 years since I slipped, I still think about it when things are stressful but I know it will not help.

[Jefferson.Meriwether]

I'm about 18 months clean & very occasionally think about harming; thankfully as soon as I do I start thinking of reasons why I can't.

Like others have said, you're not alone.

[Kahlia1981]

I have to echo those who posted before me, I've been SH free for 6 years and I still think about it regularly especially when I'm not feeling so good or am really stressed. Just remember that you're not alone

[Rosie3901505]

Almost a year and a half later and I still struggle at times. The difference between who we are now is defined by how we deal with these thoughts. I use a lot of positive coping strategies now, but personally I know I still have a lot to work through.

[dragon uk]

i wouldnt say that i think about it daily but if i get stressed or have particularly bad days then yes the thoughts are there. id say at least once a week if not a bit more. i think that maybe it is something that doesnt actually go away we just learn to be able to ignore it better or use other coping strategies.

i went for 5 years without self harming then had a blip and relasped, its been about 16 months now since i last hurt myself.

[random.swirls]

I self harm periodically but at times I think about it especially when something goes wrong.

I just wanted to say how nice it is to see so many people with so many years free :)

[smc81]

i think about it a lot still.