I was once like that, except I didn't cut myself, I did pick at my skin though. I weighed in at less than 100 pounds at one point in time. I was injecting a lot of drugs. Everyone thought I was gone forever. No one had any hope for me. Then somehow I said "f*** this!" inwardly and despite the lack of support that I had from my parents, I had no friends, had nothing... except a puppy, and that helped a lot, actually. I did it. I did a 180 on myself. Now I am not the same person I was, I am a normal looking 17 year old girl. Not depressed, not on anything except vitamins, work out every day, look good. At least your friend has someone who cares so much about him that they will post about him here. I wish any of my friends would have though about me enough to ask how I was doing. I guess I didn't have any real ones. Now I know that for all the hell I put myself through I am better off than I was before. What doesn't kill you... makes you stronger Well anyways, sorry that was a tangent. I hope he gets better. I've been there. I'll pray for him.