One of my best friends just told me that she does stitching, and I am pretty freaked out. I have never heard of this before, and it seems like it's even more dangerous than cutting or other forms of self-injury because of infection. Where can I get more information about this so that I can help her?
2006-08-09 17:00:51 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
We are both adults. She is already seeking help from a mental health professional; I just don't know what she's talking about at all. Except that she sews into her own skin. Maybe that will help clear things up?
2006-08-09 17:15:34 · update #1
If she is already seeking help, there is really nothing you can do. It sounds awful, but its true. If she trusts you enough to tell you, all she probably wants is someone who will listen to her and not judge her.
2006-08-10 19:02:48 · answer #1 · answered by Mary 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i haven't really ever heard of stitching like that. it seems to be a form or self mutilation, as you have probably figured out. how severe is her stitching thing. from what i have heard i don't think you should worry about infection or anything, though you should get her some help. any site that talks about cutting or self mutilation should help because they are not very specific to the types of self mutilation and all. so just look for some stuff on cutting and all, that should help. let her know you are there for her, don't get mad at her for doing this (my friends got mad when they found out i cut, still haven't really forgiven them for that), tell her you will support her through this, tell her she can talk to you if she needs help (like calling you if she needs help). Has she told you that she stitches when she feels depressed or something and that she feels better afterwards? if so that is self mutilation. it is possible she just likes it for fun (i used to put threads into my skin to make designs, don't know if that is the same though), but you should treat this very seriously. you should ask someone for help on what to do, like a church leader or psychiatrist or something. a site i have found helpful is recoveryourlife.com it has a lot of self-mutilators on it (it has a message board and chat room) but there is also just a lot of general info and alot of stuff aimed to freinds and family of someone that self harms. i hope this helps you in some way. if you have a question or just want to talk about this feel free to emial me at juleeandsarah@Yahoo.com well, good luck and i hope all works out!
2006-08-10 04:13:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not personally familiar with stitching, but I'm going to guess that your friend may need more help than just you alone (although it's awesome that you are looking for ways to help her). The best thing to do is contact her parents about it and/or an adult such as a school nurse or couselor who have resources available to help her get over this.
Good luck!
2006-08-10 00:05:27 · answer #3 · answered by kansas8099 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree with kansas, and if your friend becomes upset with you if it gets back to her that you were the one that said something, keep in mind that any doctor has a liability to report such things to the parents because I'm guessing that she is a minor. anytime the health of a minor is in concern, it is better to let someone know that can help her. i would suggest talking your guidance counselor at school and asking to have it remain confidential, that you don't want to be directly involved in talking to her parents, but you think that they should know.
Also, this way it is more likely that your friend may come to you out of frustration, and you can say that b/c it appears to be an issue and her parents are now involved, you'd like to help her through it. later on in life you can let her know that you were involved in her intervention, but i wouldn't let her know that you are involved now, she may turn you away.
2006-08-10 00:12:57 · answer #4 · answered by c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like another form of self mulitation to me and it could be just as bad as cutting. Someone should go to her parents and let them know so that they can get her some help. I know it probably hurts you to see her doing this to herself but tell someone before it turns into cutting.
2006-08-10 00:40:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention. I am referring you to a hotline, that wil help you! The number to this hotline is 1-877-968-8454. Try to take an action, but your friend is probably facing an issue, and he/she will need to have a friend like you by her side. Good luck, and if you need any help, please contact me!
Best Wishes,
Justin Curtis
NMHA
2006-08-10 00:07:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never heard of it are you sure she didn't mean sewing like cross-stitching or something?
2006-08-10 00:06:45 · answer #7 · answered by frog_h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stitching is when you sow your own skin like on fingers together....a mild way of getting rid of anger...
2006-08-10 00:28:19 · answer #8 · answered by mirror_glance 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your friend has serious problem of self mutilation you should tell her parents to get psychological assistance immediately
2006-08-10 00:11:21 · answer #9 · answered by mohammad a 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WTF?
2006-08-10 00:05:39 · answer #10 · answered by killmylandlord 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋