I took an overdose of sleeping pills (not enough to do serious harm) one night, then, after months of not even thinking about it, I cut myself. Not badly. I felt, well, I'm not sure how I felt. I'm not sure why I did it. I think if was just a reaction to stress. It was personal. Anyway, I hid my arm in long sleeves. (the cuts are on my forearm) The other day I finally wore a strappy shirt. To go swimming, and the cuts were noticable. I tried to hide my arm by my side but I'd forget and reach for something. I felt, and still feel, really stupid and totally ashamed of myself. I feel like everyone must think I'm trying for sympathy, that I'm trying to cause tension. But should I feel like this? Should I be ashamed of myself for doing this? My mom made the comment, in response to my comment of " I burn so easy, it sucks" , "Well just deal with it, like you do everything else" Please don't make fun. I think this is hurting more than I realize.
2006-06-25 02:27:20 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I agree with Angelina. You need to speak to a counselor or therapist as soon as possible. If your parents won't take you or cannot afford it, at least find a teen support group.
2006-06-25 02:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by dh1977 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the reading I have done regarding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) the brain, when it senses that blood sugar is low, will do sometimes strange things to get the blood sugar (glucose) out of storage and into the blood stream. Adrenaline is one sure way to do this. If cutting and the pain that results causes you to get an adrenaline rush, then low blood sugar is probably the cause.
Suggestion? Put off cutting, or overdosing or anything physically harmful to yourself for 30 minutes the next time you feel the need. Go to the kitchen and get some protein, meat, a can of tuna or whatever, and eat it. Also have some carbohydrate, like a handful of chips, or some carrots/celery and some nuts or peanut butter. Eat at least 2 ounces of the protein. Then drink a glass of water and do something else for 30 minutes. You may find your need to hurt yourself or die has lessened a bit.
Chronic low blood sugar can also cause self-esteem problems, anger management problems and a whole bunch of other physical and mental nastys. You may want to check out the symptoms link on www.hufa.org on and see how you check out.
2006-06-25 09:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a therapist, I have to ask first, are you cutting to relieve stress or are you attempting suicide? Most people that cut are not attempting suicide. However, I am concerned because you stated you took an overdose of sleeping pills. For that reason alone, I think professional help would do you good. Often, having a sympathetic ear that is there JUST FOR YOU can ease your stress and make you feel much more comfortable in the world.
It sounds as though your mother thinks you are very strong, and you are trying to hold onto that illusion. If you are not close enough to her to let her know that you are hurting, please find a professional that you can be vulnerable with.
Feelings are feelings, how can you be ashamed of them? However, it is my hope for you that you will find a better way to deal with them the next time rather than scarring yourself. Until you find a therapist, may I suggest that you start a journal. Each time you feel the urge to cut or hurt yourself in any other way, you journal what you are feeling in that moment, be really honest in the journal because you are the only one who will read it. This will help you to understand why you feel the need to cut.
Talk to a trusted friend and if the urge to hurt yourself in any way strikes again, agree that you will call him/her instead of going through with it. Or, use the following link to talk it out with a compassionate stranger: 1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433. They're not just there for suicide, but to talk you through the rough stuff, so use them.
PLEASE, find yourself a counselor that you trust, okay? You don't want to continue this behavior if it is causing you shame. You also do NOT want to accidentally cut too deep, or take too many pills and not come out of it. Sleeping pills in large doses can damage your liver or other organs even if they don't kill you. DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF YOUR FEELINGS. But your actions are telling you they are out of control, you need to get some help to sort them out. Please, let me know how you are doing, okay?
2006-06-25 09:54:21 · answer #3 · answered by deborah b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for recognizing that there is a problem that needs to be addressed.
I would find a good counselor in your area to sit down and try to figure out what is at the root of your behaviour, you have nothing to be ashamed of, many of us deal with life in different ways, some drink, some gamble, drugs, you name it. You just handle it in a different way. Unfortunately, it can be a fatal one.
Often family members are the least supportive, especially when it comes to mental illness(mental illness is a broad spectrum of things, not just the typical ones we hear about). The family members may not want it "publicized" and will deny it even exists. If you find that this is happening, you may want to introduce a family counselor into the picture.
It will get better, but you should talk to someone right away.
Good Luck to you, I wish you the best.
2006-06-25 09:39:54 · answer #4 · answered by ninamcguinness 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
shame is not a good response, as the earlier answer says, get help, you are obviously becoming self destructive and you need professional psychiatric, Help. Note that your personal doctor can refer you to a specialist or depending on where you are you may be able to find a mental health clinic. It is important. why suffer if you do not need to.
By the way no need for shame, we are all a little crazy sometimes, that is a fact of life if you are a human on planet Here, only on planet Somewhere Else are people perfectly sane and happy all the time.
2006-06-25 09:40:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cutting is very serious. You really need to talk to your mom & go see a professional. A lot of people have done that in there lives & a professional would understand. Good luck & take care!
2006-06-25 09:33:38 · answer #6 · answered by ginalicious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be a productive adult who is able to function in society then you're gooing to have to find a way to respect yourself. I wouldn't have care if you had said you tried to commit suicide a million times or if you had said that you slipped and got a cut but now you're ashamed. The fact still remains that if you don't respect yoursef and your body then you will get nowhere in life. Best wishes
2006-06-25 09:32:31 · answer #7 · answered by colorist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a doctor and get counseling and/or medication. I am not making fun of you either. I had a friend who would hurt herself all of the time, intentionally and it was like she couldn't even help herself. She got counseling and a prescription of anti-depressants and she doesn't do it anymore or even think about it. Good luck to you.
2006-06-25 09:33:37 · answer #8 · answered by Maymie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to get some help. My friend tried and now she is in jail for not complying with the judge.
2006-06-25 09:33:07 · answer #9 · answered by curstadevon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a professional doctor...I'm not making fun, I am being serious
2006-06-25 09:29:50 · answer #10 · answered by GD-Fan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋