THAT IS AWESOME!! I'm happy we could help! We are a family here! Good luck!

congrats! hp makes everything better, just remember that. :) lots of love!

I've been through the same stuff. Ik how hard it is to stop. I didn't start my hp obsesovness till a bit after I was done. But I'm very glad I did.

cuz baby you're not alone!

cuz your here with me!

*you're

and nothing's gonna bring us down!

Well done! I've had a similar experience. My HP craze hit another peak just after the HBP movie and I have been nowhere near as bad with my cutting since (although I'm not sure if the two are connected). I've been really up and down with self harm and I have gone long periods without cutting and I just want to make sure that you're really ok. Whenever I got to two or three months cut-free (like now) the urges started coming back and would just like to say you can come out the other side feeling better if you resist them. Take care and I really hope we can be of more help if you want it. Lot's of love of the good variety :) xoxox

You just needed to FIND your inner Hogwarts!

I wish I had this last year. But don't worry, we are all together here!

we may not know each others faces, but we are one big family.

As Dumbledore would say: "What would Zefron say at this moment.... *begins to sing* We're all in this together."

We're a big family of Harry Potter :) Like the sorting hat would say, we all need to unite! Everyone in this together! Glad you're back with us :) xx

Everything will work itself out.

May the god's and Merlin watch over you. (As in like the Greek Gods from Percy Jackson)

I'm trying not to cry as I read this. I cut. It had been 2 years, and I just ... SNAPPED. I'm back where I started, depressed and into self-harm. Your story... It makes me believe. You are strong, and we are all here for you. I can't explain how much it means that we've made a difference.

Congrats! This is why Harry potter is the top of all the fandoms...we are one big family and we all love u! :)

We're like a family of Muggles in Denial. ;)

Oh I am thrilled!! Harry Potter helped me immensley as well, it's just one of the things that will, no matter what, make one feel a bit better :)

Congrats! Harry Potter unites everyone

oh, the power of HP, if only Rowling knew...

harry potter family: where everyone loves that black haired boy with a scar on his forhead, and everyone loves each other :)

we love you <3 (and Harry Potter of course) btw check out TWLOHA its a non-profit organization to bring hope to people who are struggling with self-injury, suicide, depression and addiction

That is amazing. These books and all the people on this site are totally awesome(: I know the books have helped my a lot and I'm glad to know they've helped you even more. Keep living strong you fellow Scarhead :D

That is a great story, and I'm happy to hear that you have found something to help you through. We will all be here for you no matter what, and just listen to "Not Alone" from AVPM when you need a boost. The sing-along (comment-along?) up there ^ says it all! Stay strong, we believe in you! =)

Keep it up1 we're all a family here! A great big wizarding family! Youre 'Not Alone'! :) We love you!

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open." -Dumbledore. Stay strong, we're all with you in spirit

Congrats! That's great news :) I'm so glad that HP and AVPM and AverageWizards helped. We're all behind you.

Dobby's sock! I'm glad we could help! AVPM is the cure for all!!

<3 You truly are 'not alone'! The longer you go between slips the easier it gets. Some times are harder than others, but if you're ever feeling alone, do what makes you feel good, and losing yourself in the Potterverse is a GREAT way to help! (I can't guarantee it ever goes away, but almost 3 yrs for me! and I have to admit when I didn't even get out of bed, just playing the audiobooks helped some)

Congratulations! That's so great. I totally know what you mean. I can honestly Harry Potter saved my life. Right now, I'm working on a letter to JKR to let her know how much it impacted me. If anyone else has stories to share--let me know, maybe we could make it a community letter. Then maybe whoever gets the fan mail will actually send it to JKR and she'll really get to read it!

Such is the power of love. Love of Harry Potter, love of the community,it all matters! Don't ever forget that so many people would take 10 cuts for every one of yours, whether you know it or not.

that is so totally awesome!! reading all of the support you are getting here is making me literally bawl!! i have a friend that is having the same stiuation (the depression and self-injury) and we are going to have an all HP weekend sometime soon (we are both very excited bout it) and shes never seen or read HP and hopefully it will help her too!! and if you ever slip back into wanting to self-injure urself anymore, just look back at this page and know that "you're not alone, cuz you're here with me (us)!"

I went through a very similar expierience and like you, harry potter helped me get through it. Don't forget, you are a wonderful person and very brave to pull yourself together (just as brave as harry potter). Cheer up, things will get better.

We've all been alone and surrounded by darkness. But don't ever forget that you're amazing, whether you be Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. Harry Potter will keep us all united!

This was mine. I was so nervous when I saw that it was posted and there were so many comments; I thought it might be bad. But you are all so totally awesome and megafoxyawesomehot. You all just made me cry, I love you all so much. Thank you. I'm shaking, I really am. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. You are really the best world wide friends anyone could ever have.

You're welcome!!! Just remember how many people around you love and care for you. There's always more than you think. and remember, "We must try not to sink beneath our anguish, Harry, but battle on." :) I'm glad Harry Potter has helped you, and I hope it continues to do so.

this is fantastic. because truly, this is what hp is all about isnt it? love not only for others, but for yourself as well. harry is a great role model and story because he puts aside his own feelings to get through hard times by focusing on the love he has for others and in the end learning a lot about himself. keep up the positive thoughts and just remember all the good things in the world: love, friendship, family. hp is amazing and im so glad it helped you. <3 congrats on overcoming your struggles- it's more than most people could have done.

Wow. I read all the comments because each one made me happier than the next. We truly are a big HP family. My heart goes out to each of you for showing our support and love. We're Not Alone, and Totally Awesome, and All in this Together and (running out of references) sometimes we just need to FIND the love.

I would really like to know what 10 people were actually heartless enough to give this a negative vote. That's just awful. At any rate, keep holding on love. As bad as it gets, it will always get better. :]

It is because of this that I have planned out my first tattoo. When I get the money to do so I'm getting the great words of Remus Lupin on my wrist, "Keep Faith." Because its true, and its helped, everything gets better. And Harry Potter sure helps it. :)

Congratulations, and welcome back.

This is something AverageWizard has that can rarely said about any websites like these; such a close-knit, supporting community who can all relate somehow. Not to mention nice comments... ever read the comments on MLIA? Terribly mean.

I don't think I've ever found a site with so few negative comments, I've only seen one in the many months I've been on here! :)

I can't tell you how nervous and embarrassed and scared I was to post this, but you all are really just so amazing and accepting, it's unbelievable. I could never talk to anyone like I feel I can talk to you all. I have read this page almost ten times now in the past few days, and every time I read it or think about it, a smile comes to my face. You all really made my week, if not my month, or even my year. (= I am doing so much better, but your support made it even BETTER! You all really have no idea what a difference you've made in my life, for the better, of course.

Thank you for posting this. I have gone through similar problems, and I have been cut-free for the past 3 months. The temptation was coming back, but this has helped me realize that there are other people who DO get through this. (and that harry Potter helps a lot.) This has inspired me to stay cut-free.

Congrats! It's great that HP helped you back up. Don't forget-we only know each other by the words we write, but we're all a family here. You will never find a closer group of fans anywhere. Any time you need, just come here, read all about our totally awesome dorkiness, and remember-"It don't matter what'll come to be. Our love is all we need to make it through." You're Not Alone.

Harry Potter fans, UNITE!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, everyone who has posted here, for your beautiful words of support to everyone else. This post and the these comments have inspired me. I am so glad that I have AW and all the friends that come with it in my life. Like more posters have said above, AW has something really special. AW is a big example of how many lives are touched and changed and brought together by Harry Potter. This site is so full of genuinely nice people who care about one another, and I am truly amazed to find myself in such company. So, fellow AW posters, let's keep it up! :D

congratulations on all of that. i was depressed last year too, and wondered about my life and whether i wanted it anymore. so if you need anything don't forget, a lot of us have been there. keep faith, and keep your head up. we're here.

This is why we beat Voldemort. Love is the most powerful weapon of all. :) keep smilin sweetie.

Honestly, if it weren't for Harry Potter, I wouldn't be nearly as vibrant as I am today. :) You guys, we are an awesome, magical community!

i am obsessed with HP! it's one of my only true happinesses in life

aww this is so sweet!!! i love u all soo much!!! and i am so proud to be an hp lover and i hope u all r to and always will be!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D im glad our unity in hp can bring someone back like that <33333333 love u guys!! HP FOREVER!!!

This is truly touching. I love how we are all so great and friendly with each other. It just goes to show how effectively HP brings people together.

AverageWizard is truly magical. "We may come from different places and speak in different tongues, but our hearts all beat as one." WAY TO GO!! YOU SHOW THOSE DEATH EATERS THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE DARK MARKS ON YOUR WRIST. Voldemort is going down!! <3

I am so incredibly happy for you. It really is amazing how HP brings us all together. I don't know you at all, except for through the words of AverageWizard and HP, but we're a family nonetheless. Stay strong and keep faith. It won't always be easy, but we're always here for you.

<3 Don't ever forget that we all love you! <3

I don't cut or anything, but I do have problems with depression. I get to a point where I feel there is no return and nothing could ever get better. But when I do get to this point, or if I am feeling down, I pick up Harry Potter and I read. And it's like for a minuts the pain isn't there. That was incredibly corny, my apologies, but it's the truth.

lol corny or not, the meaning of it is still there :)

I love the HP fandom. Reading all these comments makes me see how truly TOTALLY AWESOME our fandom is! I'm so glad it's helped you, and others. I know it's helped me. Whenever life seems unbearable, HP brings some happiness. My obsession always comes back full force whenever I need it most. ^_^

We have the one thing that VOldemort doesn't have, love <3

I wish I could've given you a Cheering Charm, but I'm happy we Average Wizards cheered you up! ^^

so glad all of us could help you out! i read every single comment and i am so glad i'm on this site! everyone on here is totally awesome! (:

I've gotta say, THIS FANDOM IS THE MOST TOTTALLY AWESOME SUPER-MEGA-FOXY-AWESOME-HOT AND GENUINELY NICE FANDOM EVER!!! Yes, caps are needed just to show how great everyone here on this site is. All these comments can really help anyone who's been feeling down. That is why if they ever make a 'recommended' or some other kind of special section, other than the day, monthe, year, and best ever posts, they should immediatly put this there. All fans should be able to read this love. If you're down, depressed, saddened, sick, or just unhappy, this Love is 'all you need, to make it through'

Huh, the exact same thing happened to me. Thanks HP family for helping us through the tough times. :)

in the words of albus dumbledore, "happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light."

This fandom is so fantastic. Harry Potter has really brought people together again, through hard times and good times. I'm so happy we could help you. This is also my site that makes me feel a lot better. That and watching AVPM. I love you guys.

Congratulations. Keep it up. I'm proud to say it was the 2-year mark for me in February, but I had several false starts(well, stops) before then. You really need a good support system to do it and I'm glad you've found yours in Harry Potter.

That's magic for ya'. <3

Wow. i just entered the magical world that is the HP fandom a few weeks ago, but it's already impacted me so much! i've never seen any other fandom where the fans are so encouraging and loving towards one another! My parents gave me the choice of Tw*l*ght or HP and i'm so glad i picked you guys! Thanks fro making my life a bit more magical. ;)

It's been about four months now. I cut for the last time on January 28, 2010, and today is May 20, 2010. Still cut free, thanks to all of you.

Now it's July 14 and I'm still cut free.

Isn't the lesson that Harry Potter teaches us to make good friends, love and support each other and live in a big happy family? Tw!l!ght teaches us that the most important thing in the world is an obbsesive love for your boyfriend. The world of AW lets us live true lives. I am really happy for you readergirl1028 and anyone else that this site and those of us who love you and care enough that we would do this, it brings tears to my eyes at how much everyone loves each other here. I am proud to call myself one of you. I have never had a problem such as this, but if I ever do, just check here and Those feelings will go away. I love that anyone can do that. I love you guys, and I'm sorry if I've rambled along longer than Gilderoy Lockhart about his not-so-magical life.

Well done! We must unite, so we can fight. We're all in this together! :) keep fighting. xxx

I was really bad with cutting when I was reading Tw!lIght. Then I started reading hp again and I stopped. Harry Potter cures the mind of those treacherous thought's of self harm.

September 2nd, 2010. I'm still cut free.

Congrats fellow AW. We're always here for you, cuz we're one big family of Hermione's and Dumbledorks and Scarheads, PotterPals, Dumbledore's Army applicants, and quidditch members. We're all here for eachother, and that ain't about to change!