I'm really tired of seeing people who cut/self-mutilate getting mocked & made fun of.

It isn't a joke. It's a problem and a really bad addiction, just like how some people abuse drugs and alcohol. You don't understand cutting/burning yourself unless you've done it. In my mind, it was a distraction from my problems and my personal pain that was on the inside.

Sometimes you just feel so desperate and so frustrated that you take it out on yourself whether it's cutting yourself or burning yourself or even beating yourself up physically. I've heard of people pulling their hair out and beating their heads against the wall until they bleed. My cousin used to punch walls and trees until he broke his hand or there was blood.

I've struggled with a cutting addiction since I was 10 years old. I don't do it anymore, although every once in a while, I'll lose control if I don't have anyone around to talk to about it. I honestly would have probably stopped a lot sooner if I had a support system and people who didn't tell me I'm crazy/psychotic or that just made fun of me for it and called me weak and heartless. Instead of ridiculing something you DON'T understand, why don't you provide them with some encouraging words and help them find healthier vices? It took me about 8 or 9 years to find a reason to stop. Those urges stick with you for life. I still have urges, some are stronger than others. Especially around the wintery months when my anxiety & depression get worse (season depression on top of clinical depression), I'll sometimes either scratch myself or do a small cut just to get that initial feeling of release.

Being made fun of and ridiculed only makes you feel more frustrated and worse about yourself, causing you to do it more. I know that to a lot of people, it seems really stupid and that only idiots would do something like that. I can understand their viewpoint, because they don't get it. I also understand that if you lost someone to cutting, you may have a bitter outlook on people who do it. However, we need support and uplifting words. That's the only way someone is going to get better. Granted, sometimes people need 'tough love'…but not by calling them names and putting them down.

You just have to have an open mind and try to understand, even though it may be very difficult to. Let them expess it if they want to, and be their rock if you are able to be. If you can't personally help them, suggest professional help. Be patient and don't be so quick to judge so harshly.