one of my friends (late 20's - early 30's) coped in her teenage years & early 20's with a mentally-ill father by slicing into her arms. When I first met her a few years back I assumed the scars were recent & came from playing with her big dogs.

It's only in the last few years that an astute doctor realised what was happening & sent her to a psychiatrist. And it is only in the last few months that her father was once again hospitalised and finally accepted medication that is stabilizing him.

sandra