Hi CLD:
I went thru the same feelings a few years ago. When you are seriously depressed your emotions mount up inside you, like the air in a balloon don't you notice and you feel like you will burst if you don't let them out.. Cutting your self gives you the same action as letting the air out from a very big balloon almost ready to burst balloon. Did you ever notice that when you cut yourself you feel a temporary release from your emotional stress? Try wrapping a rubber band around your wrist (a thick rubberband) Next time you want to cut yourself pull that rubberband back pretty far and let it snap you on the wrist. You will feel pain without needing to cut yourself (that is what my psychiatrist told me to do) and eventually you won't be cutting yourself anymore.
Now sometimes people cut themselves to get attention from close ones such as spouces, doctors and friends. This can become a very bad thing and you can lose these people from your life. Trust me, I almost lost my husband by doing this to often.
I am here for you if you need someone to talk to
pepsi3233