Welcome to Gaia! ::

In the sense of the Wiccan Rede, "If it harm none, do what you will," (Or any other synonomous phrase), that "harm none" part includes yourself. Thus, I suppose a person who brings themself down or injures themself will just continue on through a downward spiral, only getting more extreme and unhappy until they or another decides that enough is enough. Thought really does take form, and clouding yourself in negative energy only brings more negative energy to you.

I suppose it's much like those who use drugs as an escape, really. They just keep taking bigger and bigger doses until they're addicted. Though I have no experience in either, I'd suspect self mutilation is of a similar diversion of one's problems.

...self-inflicted pain is not necessarily self-mutilation. Don't confuse the two, even if they are intended synonymous. Pain is more varied than mutilation, as it is not restricted to the physical form.

Clouding yourself does not -always- bring negative energy to you. My drive to help others is such that I willingly go into this cloud of such energy, and I am -really- sensitive to it. It's really a matter of knowing what you can and cannot handle. And, if you know psychic defense/protection, or how to shield yourself, then it isn't a problem at all. (Personally, I rarely shield, but that's by choice)

And yes, self-mutilation IS a way of escape, and IS addictive. However, I have a correction to make about your statement. Drug addicts tend to take more because their bodies adapt to the drug in their systems, and therefore they need to take more in order to reach a desired effect. It's not a "more and more until they're addicted" thing, but more like a "ooh, this feels good, let's take more" thing. You do it a few times (even at a same-dosage level) and you can get addicted. Same with cutting, or other self-inflicted wounds.

All in all, it's not a good thing to get into. While the likelihood that you'll be struck down/smite/etc is REALLY low, it's not going to be a picnic either, so watch out. *been there, done that*

PM if you need.

You did say you didn't have much experience in that manner, so I'd say your assumptions were pretty good. ^^

This will be slightly hypocritical, since i recently became a semi cutter...theres just lots of weird stuff going on right now, and it distracts me from the really bizarre and scary stuff...anyway...i agree with all the afore said, but i don't think the 3 fold rule is literal...not like if i give you a loaf of bread you must give me 3 back,no it's like anything i do effects how i feel and how you feel, so it will return to me because everything is connected, make sense?