Hi. I have been a self-injurer for a while now. I am 18 years old, and Ilive at home with my mom, I attened a JVS (career tech school) full-time, and I also work full time. I just today burnt myself again with a lighter, I am not suicidal, i would never kill my self, but when I cut/burn, I get a sense of relief. I am going through very hard times right now, I am talking to a social worker at my school, but she dosent know that I cut/burn. I want to tell her, or even my teacher, I trust both of these people greatly, but I am so scared of wht would happen, If I told. would they have to tell my mother, (mind you me and my mother have a extremely bad relationship) and I can tell you right now it will make matters even worse, besides im 18. Will I be sent away to a mental hosp..? who will have to be told? What will happen? Will I be made to go away from my school and or home? Im scared and don't know what to do, it's tearing me up inside, and I want to tell someone. But I dont want everyone at my school knowing, or ANYof my family to know at all. Please write back.

thanks chass

Well I know what you mean about the cutting and burning I've done both. However you said you were 18 so they can't make you go into a hospital to get help or anything b/c your no longer a minor. I suggest that you do talk to a counselor outside of your school. They really help, I'm currently seeing a counselor now and they can't tell one thing to anyone. So you can trust them to tell them anything you want. I used to think I wasen't suicidal when I cut/burnt myself but it just got worse. Now I'm stuck with a playboy bunny scar on my ankle and burn marks on my wrist. And they're stuck with you forever. I suggest you get help but you are an adult so that's totally up to you, I'm just giving my opinion.

You need to tell your social worker that you SI. She can't help you if she doesn't know. I'm not she if she would tell your mom or not because you are 18, so I think she would have to have your permission first. But she would definitely strongly urge you to tell her. However, I think it would be important for you to mention the bad relationship you have between you and your mother and how her knowing that you SI would make things worse. That too might make a difference. As previously mentioned, since you are 18, your permission would be required in order for you to be sent to a mental hospital.

I hope that helped. Know that you are not alone in this--so many others are going through the same thing. I've been through it, so I know what it's like. It's hard, but you can get through it. IM me if you ever need to talk. Be strong!

when you tell a social worker or a teacher they would only tell your mother if they thought that you were suicidal. so if that is your only hinderance you should tell these people that you trust.

It's not strange to cut or burn or otherwise self-mutilate when you're not suicidal. As you said, it's a good release.

I think it's probably important that you tell someone - just one person, if that's all. You need to tell an adult that you trust, just because, if you accidentally went too far, someone would need to know what you had been doing. I think you should follow your intuition, and tell someone. However, I wouldn't just TELL them. You said that you do it to release stress...well, we all have our ways to deal with stress - ease into it with that. Then you can tell them that you use it for stress relief only, not to kill yourself. It will be less of a shock and they'll be less likely to overreact.

As you're 18, I don't think they're allowed to put you into a mental hospital without your permission. If you were underage, it would be different.

The best of luck! <3

As for advice im not really sure what to do becuase im 15 and im in the same position but i vut atleast 4 to 5 times a day and its becuase its all i can handle n e more. life doesnt feel worthy for me n e more but i no i need help and ive wanted to try and and get help but the thought of my friends and family is what keeps stopping me as in what would they think how would they act. so as for advice i dont no what you should do becuase i dont even no but hey just listen to your hurt and hopefully you can figure summtin out. and if you wanna contact me maybe we can work together to work out our problems. im_your_girl02@yahoo.com