"i have struggled silently with impulses to self-destruct/self-injure for many years. various things would trigger episodes, frustrating conversations.  some temptations were very strong, and sometimes i quickly self-injured. i let people think i was suicidal, and therapists were geared to interpret that way, but it wasn&#039;t that; it was overwhelming impulses to hurt myself, which i couldn&#039;t explain and felt humiliated about. then i got to a very good psychiatrist, who put me on divalproex extended-release pills, which i take at night. while i am groggy in the morning, and feel tired in the afternoon, and sometimes require a nap. recently,  i&#039;ve been triggered, but the impulse to hurt myself was much less. the drug was to slow things down."