What kind of self harm problems does everyone have. Also what do you do to cope instead of harming?
I still self-harm, but not as often as I used to. When I’m attacked, I try to wait it out. It’s intense and difficult. I usually end up on the floor of the bathroom crying, but it always passes.
I don’t think I can self harm anymore. It seems to get more severe every time I do it. When I was in high school I cut my arms with a scissors and scratched burn marks. Then after another hospitalization I started using a razor blade on my arms. They were pretty deep cuts but I guess not deep enough for stitches. My final self harm event I used a razor blade on my legs. Super deep cuts and stitches. I think if I did it again I would end up dying from blood loss.
I mostly have history with ex cutters. Often attract them on the net. Must fit profile though as a few of the staff seem to worry about with me.
Mostly pass on the information of butterfly project for support project and lots of support with on the net. Wont fit everybody’s cup of tea though. The rules are…
- when you feel like you want to cut, take a marker or pen and draw a internet butterfly wherever the self-harm occurs.
- name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
- NO scrubbing the butterfly off.
- if you cut before the butterfly is gone, it dies. if you don’t cut, it lives.
- another person may draw them on you. these butterflies are extra special. take good care of them.
- even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support.
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I self harmed a lot from when i was first ill with sz till now, although i don’t do it so much now, only in extreme crises. I started when I had my breakdown by scraping my knuckles raw against a brick wall, then I used pins to scratch my arm, then went to scissors to cut my arm, and more lately I have used a sharp knife to cut my arm. always the right arm as i am left handed. the cuts i made were not deep, but deep enough to bleed, and the scars are very faint as a result. but they are there nonetheless and I sometimes look at them and remember the crazy times.
After I got married my husband found out eventually about the cutting and my heart broke to see his sadness. Nowadays I don’t cut so much anymore, usually when a crisis comes up (usually when we have argument or when I feel dead) I take to scratching my arm with my nails or slapping my face. I used to wear an elastic band around my arm to snap when i got the urge, but took it off as i didnt need it so much anymore when my meds worked for me.
So for me coping is a combo of correct meds, harmless pain like scratching with my (short) nails and communication with hubby. also listening to music helps too.