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Self harm shows a need and desire for (and some attainment of) self control over threateningly powerful emotions. The immense feeling of emotional release it brings comes from the twinned psychological effects of performing a ritualistic act and the HUGE adrenaline rush that follows. Keying those two things together makes for a powerful set of experiences and sensations.
People find it scary because they don't understand. The fact that it helped you through depression is probably a good thing, plus you have a constant reminder of how bad things were back then. I say, wear your scars with pride, they single you out as someone who has been through the mill and come out the other-side.
I would NOT reccomend this type of behaviour to anyone going through a depression (or otherwise). Depression is an alienating experience as it is, other people's reactions to scarring, excess drug-taking, drinking, sex or whatever form of 'extreme' behaviour is often going to increase that sense of alienation, adding to the viscious circle. Once you're on it, the only way off is to go all the way down and through the other side.
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