This is, unfortunately, a really untrue and unfair stereotype. I've been working with disabled kids for six years, and I'm in college right now to become a child psychologist. As soon as I tell people I'm a psychology major, they automatically get more nervous and uncomfortable around me, which makes me unhappy, because frankly, I'm becoming a psychologist BECAUSE of my empathy, because I like to make people feel better and I care about them.

It may be their job, but they wouldn't have chosen that job in the first place if they hadn't wanted to help people: otherwise, that's six to eight years to get a Ph.D. just for a paycheck... and psychologists have one of the highest rates of suicide, too. So believe me... they're not doing it just for the money.

I am pleasantly surprised to see the amount of support that is given in this thread. I myself have struggled with this issue for almost eight years and have recently relapsed. It is incredibly difficult to stop but it is possible. If you need someone to talk to I am willing to listen.

I too am looking into becoming a psychologist because I care about people and I am also highly empathetic. Many people may think that they are out there for the paycheck. The therapist I had a college this year was in training and she viewed it as my time, that she was there to help me rather than get a paycheck.

Despite the fact that you feel alone, it is not true. There may not be anyone you can feel you can turn to in real life but developing a strong relationship with a therapist is vital for recovery from this issue. I recently read a book about Cutting that has helped me not only better understand myself but also helped me understand why I do it.

I hope that you can find a good therapist that you feel comfortable talking to.

i understand that not all of them are in it for the money. for some reason i always find a problem with the adult i talk to. another reason why i dont want to go to one is i dont want to talk and all they feel is pity, and a lot of them are just interested in what makes people tick and what problems there are in life. it makes me feel low and disgusting when i feel like all they do for me is pity me. i like talking to people on here that are like me. that have/had the same problem as me, and i feel better when they're around my age as well. talking to adults who want to know my problems scare me but i'm fully willing to scream and yell at them when i need to.
it makes me feel better when i talk to sarofset, kitami and elle. i have resisted cutting five times because i got online and read their responces.
Delilah -> thank you for the offer, and i'm sure i will take it up. i would also, if you dont mind, would like to know about your relapse and how you quit up to it. thank you for the link, i will read it.
Anaxilea -> sorry if i offended you, but i am after all sixteen. i go off of what i have seen and heard unless i have experienced it. i have never tried to get close to a therapist, and i dont want to have a session with one. they cost too much anyways. i want to deal with this with people who support me and dont push. it's a plus if i dont get judged and they dont know or see my actual reactions so they know how to get around them. again, i'm sorry if i offend you. i want to be able to speak my mind on here. v.v

I started cutting in 7th grade (about age 14) and I'm twenty-one now. Throughout that time I've struggled with this issue. The relapse occurred when I got into a new relationship with a guy that I met at a convention. You would think this was a good thing but I am not good with relationships (or friendships for that matter). When I first did it in the past few months it was primarily because I hadn't been taking my anti-depressant. I continued to do it out of fear that the relationship wouldn't last or that he was using me. I have fully aware now that it isn't the case. I have talked to him about the problem and he's been incredibly supportive since I met him in April.

My main motivation for quitting for the first time was my Freshman year of college. While I had relocated the location of where I was harming myself I didn't want people to judge me when they saw the scars. It helped to have a direct roommate who was there a lot and the general lack of privacy my freshman year of college. I went without temptations for quite a while. I had to work up to it though, using different means to vent my anger and get the emotions out that I didn't know how to express. When I get frustrated I'll play music, sing, play video games (mortal kombat is pretty good for the level of violence).

Now when I'm trying to resist a lot of those things don't work anymore. If it's really bad I'll focus all of my energy into not doing it or I call my boyfriend. If you can find someone who is willing to be supportive it will be incredibly helpful. I know that it is difficult to talk to a therapist, I still have problems talking to therapists, but I think that the one I was seeing this fall helped me better understand myself.

I can say this much though... it is possible to quit. It will be hard, and it will be tempting to do it again, but it is possible. Just remember this: Not every day will be filled with sadness, there are days of joy which can shine through if you let them.

i wish i knew you in real life. i feel like i could benefit from being able to be around you.

You definitely didn't offend me in the least! I just wanted to explain the motivation behind most therapists' professions. :hug:

You can be so strong. You can pull through this - and whether it has to do with adult intervention or not - I'm confident you'll make it through just fine, though it will take time.