Does any one have any productive information about self-harming that they’d like to share? For example, what causes it and/or what to do about it…or anything else that is helpful and conducive to recovery.
1 Like
@Tomasina I like the fish you have in your avatar 
2 Likes
I agree. Is a cool fish!
2 Likes
Thank you - his name is bubbles.
2 Likes
I cut myself from age 12 to age 21 on and off. I think what stopped me finally was a) intensive therapy, b) making art whenever I felt like cutting and c) cannabis. Sorry, I’m not promoting cannabis, but it literally saved my life and my wrist from looking even worse with all the scars. it helped me, but that’s me as an individual. I don’t recommend cannabis to sz’s who aren’t tolerant to it already (I smoked since age 16 pretty frequently).
I would recommend therapy with a good therapist who you know has experience with abuse and self-harm. Just ask them if they are experienced with self-harmers.
Art really helped me, too. I started to draw with charcoal when I felt like cutting. I’d get this agitated, restless, angry, depressed feeling and then I’d realize I wanted to cut, so I’d pull out some paper and charcoal and try to draw something from an art history book.
Last time I cut was like a decade ago, maybe less. I have successfully stopped cutting, although I still bear the scars on my wrist from when I was cutting. I also have a ton of cool artwork from those years of pressing through the urges to cut and instead drawing my pain out!
2 Likes
Thank you HQuinn 15151515
1 Like
Yes, if you don’t smoke it, don’t try it. Don’t replace one problem with a bigger one. Self-medicating is a coping mechanism, but it’s not a good coping mechanism. Seek help from a professional.
@HQuinn I like that, it’s really cool that you changed that negative into such a positive thing. Do you ever post any artwork here? I would like to see some.
@Tomasina I have a mild version of self harming that is a compulsion. I think another reason people self harm is because they feel numb and need to feel something, anything. There are also those that do it as a cry for help. I have heard of it being done as a stress reliever and out of boredom too.
2 Likes
yes, I post sometimes. I’ll post something new, let me see if I have something in my apartment that isn’t posted on my social media accounts…be back…and thanks!
1 Like
My expressionist sushi lol.
4 Likes
Love it! 1515151515
1 Like
Tomasina - cutting is more or less a drug addiction. It triggers a reaction in your brain, which is why people have such a hard time stopping.
I personally don’t like to talk about it much because I strongly believe that it’s socially contagious. I don’t really know the right way to discuss it - how to do so is something that I think about pretty often.
1 Like
I used to cut quite a bit when I was ill, from 18 years old till my remission when i was 21. Then when i relapsed in 2012 (when I was 28) I started again and its been on rare occasions ever since. It has been less often nowadays. I think the last time I cut was two years ago, but I was still tempted to nevertheless.
What stopped me was my love for my husband. i realised when I cut it was as if i was cutting him too. I hated to see him hurt, and I couldnt hide my cuts anymore, because he sees me naked sometimes. So I just stopped. I have to admit I still sometimes hurt myself, but by hitting and slapping, nothing that draws blood. The urge passes quickly though. So ride the wave, it will soon pass.
2 Likes
hi,
personally i think you just have to make a promise to yourself not to do it again…
worked for me for years till it all got too much…
new promises can alwas be made though…
1 Like
That looks so good right now…
1 Like
I tried to cut, hang, poison, pills with no success. Not too serious in trying. But one thing i tried when i was in distress is write Diary. It helped me calm down a bit for the sake of me atleast. Now it really helps to know what i have been through. What others felt about it and what i have done to cheer myself. Others literally behaved as though its nothing but a thought problem i have and i am silly. Some journal about it really helps.
1 Like
I know for me it transferred the emotional pain into physical pain. I find physical pain more bearable though. But it’s been 7 months since my last episode and honestly I don’t like having to explain to my loved ones the mechanics of it. My scars are a part of me now but I don’t desire any more.