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Garbage's Shirley Manson Admits To "Cutting"

During an interview with London's "Daily Star" tabloid, Shirley Manson, the lead singer of Garbage, admitted that for years she cut herself with a knife in a cry for help through the self-destructive practice of "cutting.

Nobody has a clue about how hard this is to talk about," the 33-year-old singer explained. "For me, it began with puberty, around 12 or 13, when I became aware of my body, what I had, and more important, what I didn't have.

During her adolescence, Manson revealed that she carried a sharp object in the laces of her boots and cut herself when she felt stress, depression, or anxiety. She was able to end this habit when her interest in music and performing onstage allowed her to openly express her emotions.

But the desire to hurt herself still returns, she told the "Daily Star." Two years ago, she revealed, while depressed before a concert with her band, she nearly resumed her habit of self-injury. "I ran to my dressing room in

tears," she explained. "I hated myself all over again.

Manson told the tabloid she is going public with this information to help others. "I'm speaking out because I feel this problem is getting worse for some kids," she said. "I'm not an expert on this, but you have to talk to someone. I've seen kids with cigarette burns on their arms or gashes on their legs. It kills me, but hopefully my coming forward can help a little.

Newsweek" magazine estimates that 2 million people in the United States currently injure themselves through "cutting," and that most are women who started the practice as teenagers. "Cutters" are people who have learned to shield themselves from life's problems by becoming detached from their emotions. They harm themselves in an effort to snap back into consciousness, and cope with the pressures of staying alive, anxiety, or depression.

The group's official Web site (www.garbage.com)

reports that Manson will discuss the subject with fans online at www.voxxy.com 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. (PT) on Tuesday, May 30.

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