Is it normal for people that cut to see a therapist?

I think you should not worry about labels or being called a goth because even if that were to happen, let it.

What is important is that you can get to the root of your cutting problem and it probably is likely that your parents will want to send you to counselling or to a therapist.

I'll be honest here and tell you that therapy was the best thing I ever have been through and because of it, I'm still alive today. I have no doubts that if I did not get help, I would be dead.

I received treatment twice, once when I was 15 but I voluntarily quit because I was convinced it would not help me in the slightest.

That brings me to when I was just about to turn 17 and I suffered a breakdown. I spent a night in hospital before being evaluated by a professional who offered me the choice of therapy. I took the offer again and received counselling along with medication until I was 19, when the higher ups decided I did not need more counselling anymore. I still take my medication though, for depression and anxiety issues.

I myself used to cut, I started when I was 13 and stopped when I was 16 before it began when I was 17. Since I took the offer of help, I have not cut since 4 years ago.

I am not telling you this to scare you or to unnecessarily worry you because I would never wish to do that and I apologize if I have caused either reaction. It may be that your problems aren't that severe and won't need that sort of particular treatment.

But I urge you to tell someone about your cutting because these things get easily out of hand and soon become an addiction, beyond rational reasoning.

It will be hard but you can make it through this and you are not alone sweetheart.

Miss Sorel's advice was very good. To give you an alternative opinion, a female friend of mine cuts. She's had trouble since her parents split badly when she was about 11. She also suffers from depression and been prescribed medication twice. She has also been through counselling multiple times.

Counselling helped her when she was younger. It doesn't seem to work now she's in her twenties. The drugs work of a fashion but aren't perfect either. I guess some things work for some people. I'm glad counselling worked for Miss Sorel. It may work for you. If it doesn't, don't see it as a failure and don't blame yourself or consider you're somehow too screwed up for it to work. We're all different.

Treatments only work if you try them. You've very little to lose, counselling is confidential and no-one will find out if you don't tell them.

As a final note, one thing that comes across in your post is that you don't show any desire to want to stop cutting. Your fear is largely about being judged. Certainly by your peers, but maybe by your parents too.

There are times in life when we have to do what is best for us, regardless of what other people say. If you think that statement is vague or equivocal, it's deliberately so. Good luck.

Thank you dappled and I agree with everything you wrote as well.

You are right in saying that treatments only work if you try them and I can say I know that is true, since the second time I had counselling, even though I chose it, I was reticent to try to help myself.

To the OP, people will want to help you but things will only change and get better if you actively want and try to make it happen.

You can turn up to sessions and try what is suggested but unless your heart is in it, there's only so much that the treatments can do.

Once more, good luck and be brave, you can do this.

Ok thank you I'll try...