This afternoon I was hanging out with my ex. We're very close friends after breaking up almost 4 years ago (long story short, we were too close as friends to take it any further, it just felt weird).
He was telling me about this girl he's gotten to know, and had feelings for at one stage. He told me that she used to cut herself, and slipped into a state of depression. Seeing that we were having a moment, and he seemed genuinely concerned about cutting as a problem (whereas I thought he might-of blew it off as a joke, or attention seeking), I decided to tell him about my cutting problem that I had back in high school. It was one of the hardest things I've had to say in a very long time, and was physically hard to say. I felt a bit better once it was out there, I had only ever told my best-friend about it, while it was happening...and she never really understood. He kept asking me when I did it, why I did it...but I just kept saying "I dunno....". I don't know why I couldn't answer him, I just felt like my throat had closed up after admitting something so dark to someone I care so much about.

I want to talk to him about it again, but I don't want to be the one to bring it up. I want to tell him that I was cutting before and while we went out, and that's why I would always wear jumpers at school, even in summer (he used to tease me about that). I'm not sure if I want to tell him that it got worse after we broke up, or whether that'll make him feel bad, or maybe treat me differently. On the outside I took the break-up so well, I wonder what he would do if he knew how much it really hurt me? Do I want to expose myself to him that much?

Talking about things to other people is often therapeutic. Like you said already, you felt relieved after you had talked to him a little about it before.

I'm certain that he probably feels better that you're talking to him about this, because I'm sure he cares about you. I can't imagine a person whom you're close to, who wouldn't be hurt by hearing about this. It's not a wonderful thing to hear about someone you care for so deeply.

I think you may feel better if you talk to him about it, but expect that he's not going to be exactly happy once you do.

But for his and mine and the rest of the people who care about you, please don't cut yourself. If you're feeling sad and need someone to talk to, you can always talk to me or I'm sure any of your caring friends about what's going on. Never let cutting yourself be the solution. It's dangerous and unhealthy, okay?

Hope this helps.