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Is it normal to feel the urges to self-harm after you've stopped for months?

41 Answers
Last Updated: 06/16/2022 at 7:35am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Lindsay Scheinerman, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

My work with clients is to help them recognize and build on their strengths to find solutions for the conflicts presented in their lives.

Top Rated Answers
Ashiya
June 21st, 2016 6:46am
It's very normal to feel urges to self-harm. Because self-harming may have made you feel alive or you miss that adrenaline. But other things in life can bring more adrenaline than this method.
heatherh11
May 17th, 2016 3:44pm
I believe so. Because self-harm releases endorphins which make you feel better instantly, your body sees them as a way to feel happy. Because it was a behavior that did something before, your body wants to do it again to feel better. Keep fighting!
Anonymous
November 9th, 2015 4:53am
Of course it is! It was once a habit and it takes time to break habits. Just remember you are stronger than self harm :)
helpfulSkies2120
October 6th, 2015 12:08pm
no? i wouldn't think so? it would be totally understandable if something you feel has changed suddenly or something around you is upsetting you.. making you feel uncomfortable?
Anonymous
September 7th, 2015 10:31pm
Yes. it's completely normal. The important thing is that you don't give into the urges and you talk to someone or do something that will take your mind off the urge.
Anonymous
August 24th, 2015 8:51pm
Yes, it's perfectly okay. I'm proud that you have lasted this long without self-harming. I'm proud of you.
Anonymous
August 17th, 2015 1:41am
It's not easy to stop just like that...It takes time...I know it's really tempting but do you think that it's worth it ? Do you actually know what can you do to yourself if you cut yourself with something dirty ? You can seriously damage your body and even die...
cupcake1234
June 23rd, 2015 7:48am
Everything is normal, there is nothing abnormal about human behaviour. You just need to know where to draw a line. Thats most important. And you need to remember that this thing, make you hate your own body at some point, your own flesh and meat, and from that point if you still continue to do something its your own choice.. But remember, no matter what you do, everything is normal.
UniqueLife
June 7th, 2015 4:00am
completely normal. that's just a part of recovering, changing old habits, that's just how recovery works
Anonymous
May 27th, 2015 11:23pm
I believe it is. Once you start it's very hard to stop. Some situations are easier to cope with so cutting isn't a first resort. From my experience, I went months without cutting and didn't think twice about it and then started again. But during the time you've stopped, it's important to fight the urges.
TheCreator
March 13th, 2015 6:27pm
I think it's based on the situation you are in. Based on my personal experience, I used to self harm and I stopped. Months after I got caught in a situation where I felt desperate and I wanted to self-harm again but I honestly fought it. STAY STRONG