Sufferer Hello - Don't Feel I Should Be Struggling With This At My Age

[1lostsoul73]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this site. I am 41 years old and struggle with self-injury every day. I came upon this site while searching for people over 40 who self-harm. I feel very alone in my struggle because of my age. I would like to find support from people who understand what I am going through. Life is a daily struggle for me. I am just trying to get by one day at a time.

I have so many unresolved issues from my childhood and I feel so alone. I feel like people think I should just get over it; but I just feel stuck!

 

[RussH]

I cannot say that I relate to the need to self harm, but I can tell you that you are not alone. You will make lots of friends here on the forum,and I am sure that there are people here that can relate to you. Welcome to the forum

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I struggle with self-harm and I am almost 35. I no longer cut and burn, but I do hit myself, binge, and use my as needed prescriptions for the wrong reasons. Yeah, everyone is "happy" that I'm no longer cutting/burning, but they don't see that the other things are just as bad. Well, maybe not quite, as I'm not getting the same sort of relief, but its still a problem, none-the-less.

There are a number of people on here who struggle with self harm. Have you been diagnosed with PTSD? Are you in treatment or able to seek treatment?

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Running to music]

I am new to this site. I am 41 years old and struggle with self-injury every day. !

Welcome!!! I just joined today. First thing I want to tell you is that you are not alone. I will be 41 later this year.

Each of us have our struggles. Reaching out to others is 1 way of getting less stuck, so don't worry about what others think. We are here to encourage each other. Strength in numbers.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

I have so many unresolved issues from my childhood and I feel so alone. I feel like people think I should just get over it; but I just feel stuck!

@1lostsoul73 I am only a year into my own personal Recovery Journey. I am a 43 yr old male cutter/self harmer. I have been lucky in channeling these self harm urges by controlled self harm technique's.

You have come to a great place to start with and welcome to the MyPtsd Family. :hug:s if you accept them.

Laurie

 

[Joan]

@1lost soul73....1st welcome and congratulations for reaching out. That is brave. Second I am 49....I have been free from self harm for over a year, but I did not even start till maybe the age of 47...so you are not alone.

Do you have any professional support? Any family or friends support?

It is difficult because most do not understand. It is a hard journey.....you are worth it though. I hope that you can learn some coping skillls to help you in your struggle. One of the most important lessons though is there is no shame....It is understandable. I hope that you get some comfort from others on here and are able to draw strength, You are not alone,

 

[ghotiff]

Welcome. I'm also 40ish and have struggles from my childhood. There seems to be lots of us here and while it breaks my heart that there are so many of us, the support is fantastic.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

There seems to be lots of us here and while it breaks my heart that there are so many of us, the support is fantastic.

It breaks my heart that there are so many 40'somethings here as well. Personally it seems (I speak from Law Enforcement Background) that growing up in the 70's and 80's was really not a good time to be a child.

And Yes, the support here really is 'Fantastic@
:)

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I struggle with self-harm, maybe not daily, but frequently. I have felt that I was "too old" to be struggling with self-harm, but I have come to realize that age doesn't matter. I am struggling with a lot of childhood "stuff" as well. You are not alone and this is a great place for support.

 

[intothelight]

@1lostsoul73 Welcome to the forum!

Self-injury is a tough topic and it is especially hard when this is a coping mechanism used by someone who is "older". Honestly, there is no shame or such a thing as being "too old". I found that I engaged in self-harming behaviors when the pain inside became too much to handle and external pain became a release.

There is a lot of information on this site about ways to handle the urge to self-harm. Learning positive coping mechanisms and ultimately processing the trauma, so the internal pain is dealt with and the urge is no longer there (or at a level where it can be handled).

I hope you find the information and support here beneficial to your healing. I also hope you find some comfort in knowing that you are not alone.

 

[1lostsoul73]

Thanks to all of you for taking the timer to respond and for welcoming me. Yes I have been diagnosed with PTSD. Cutting is my main struggle right now. I hve numerous scars from cutting all over mybody. I think that the worst part is having people ask me about them. Its humiliating. I wear long sleeves in the middle of summer. I just started back in counseling a couple of weeks ago.I'm hoping that I can get the help I neef

 

[Sammyiam]

I'm 46 and welcome to the site,there are so many wonderful people here, chat is a great place to meet everyone
Take care
Sammy