I read in my sister's journal that she was going to cut herself. Please help!?

Question

It looked like something was bugging my sister, and not just that she couldn't run because of her shin splints. So I looked in this journal that I saw she was always writing in.

I was astonded when I saw what she had written. "I feel awful. I want to die. Today I ran/swam but my legs still hurt. I will to anything I just want to die. I am going to cut myself tonight."

Then I stopped. I counldn't bear to read any more about my own sister's horrible thoughts. And this isn't really the first time. She practically just "recovered" from anarexia.

I am lost and confused, you are the first people to know what I've read. I have no idea what to do and was hoping someone would have some ideas with value.

Thanks for so many responces!

But just saying, I'm a girl, just with a picture of my boyfriend as my avatar. :)

Answer 1

How to Help
When someone in your life shows signs of being at risk for suicide, it is important to help. There are things you can do that may make a difference. You can start by calling Headquarters at 785/841-2345 if you are in our area, or calling the National Hopeline Network at 1/800/SUICIDE(784-2433); Español 1-800-SUICIDA (784-2432) from any part of the U.S.

The basic steps in helping are:
1. Ask directly if the person is considering suicide.
2. Show your concern by listening and talking.
3. Get trained help.

If you are a teen, please do not try to handle this alone. Get an adult in your life to help you get help for your friend.
No matter how old you are, it is important for you to know that suicide is NEVER someone else's fault. The only person who has control over suicide, is the person her/himself.

Do's...
1. Do ask directly if s/he is considering suicide
2. Do find out if s/he has already done something
* If so, don't leave the person alone!
* Find out if s/he needs medical attention by calling a crisis line, the hospital emergency room, or poison control center
* If medical help is needed, help the person get medical help
3. Do find out if the person has a plan for suicide
* If so, don't leave the person alone!
* The more specific and available the means, the more likely an attempt will happen
* If the person mentions using a gun and has access to one, the gun needs to be removed from the house immediately
4. Do listen, empathize, and believe the person—express your concern
5. Do help the person come up with a plan to be safe during the crisis time; other people (especially housemates) really need to know how s/he is feeling so they can help
6. Do encourage the person to contact someone with training in helping people who are suicidal, such as Headquarters at 785/841-2345 or the National Hopeline Network at1/800/SUICIDE, or another counseling agency.

Don't...
1. Don't refuse to talk about the thoughts of suicide
2. Don't offer "simple answers" or reassurances
3. Don't challenge the person or use scare tactics
4. Don't be sworn to secrecy
5. Don't involve yourself in giving therapy—instead, help the person find someone trained to talk with
6. Don't take on responsibility for the person— If the person attempts or dies by suicide, you are not to blame.
http://www.hqcc.lawrence.ks.us/suicide_prevention/how_to_help.html

Answer 2

Get some good POISON IVY, tell her to rub it all over her forearms.... but be very careful with it, there's a powerful crop going around this year. Don't get it on the face unless she really wants to. But if applied correctly to the forearms it should take effect in a day or two... at such a time the itching will begin.

If she wants to start out on the legs first that may be an option.
And work her way up.

It can get intense and the pain levels are "up to par" with a "cutting"...scars will be minimal to limited severe depending on the individuals skin tone/structure.

This is an old time remedy that worked back in the day, it would help the "potential cutter" to realize that 'cutting" is a serious issue.

www.vegancup.bravehost.com

Answer 3

I know the feeling, I learned that my sister was cutting and she is 17yrs old. I learned from reading an online journal of hers, I was very surprised that she would even think of doing something like that to herself, but because I have experienced this with my sister, the only advice I can give is this...cutting is obviously a very dangerous thing, something that should be taken seriously because a lot of people do it to deal with emotional pain, they say that cutting helps them deal with their emotions because they feel they have no other way of expressing themselves. When I had the opportunity I talked to my sister about that habit she had developed and told her how serious it was, and that she needed help immediately. Usually, some experts have said, cutting is not a sign of suicide, but it can happen, because well, you never know how deep the cuts are, and it could get infected by the object being used to cut. If I were you, I would talk to someone about it, your sister needs help. I found some useful tips on the website below. I hope this helps, and I hope you can get your sister some help as wll. Good luck.

Answer 4

You are right to have gone with your "gut" feeling when you thought something was wrong.

Even if she gets really mad at you, you did the right thing. You might help save her life.

She needs professional help. This isn't something you can fix. You need to talk to your parents. They should be just as concerned as you are. But sometimes parents have a hard time understanding that they can have a serious problem in their own home.

If that is the case you may need to reach out to another family member like a Grandparent, or Aunt/Uncle. To get your sister help. The most important thing is that you understand that this will not "get better" by itself.

You may even have to ask for a counsilor or trusted teacher at school to help your sister. There are programs that exist to help people when their families aren't able to do what they should to help someone who needs it.

Especially since your sister has had a serious issue with anorexia already the chances that she could hurt herself now are very high. This must be taken very seriously.

I'll pray for your family. God bless you for loving your sister.

Answer 5

She may just be venting on her pain. I have written in my journals that I would want to die just because, at the moment, I was overwhelmed with pain. Tell your sister you love her and confess what you saw - she will be very angry that you invaded her privacy. Tell her you did it because you were worried. You know she is hurting and you want to help. Tell her you want the two of you to talk to your parents together. Don't tattle, but make sure your parents find out - work with her, not against her. Always act in love.

People often cry into their journals because they don't have anywhere else to go. Be a friend. Offer to always be there when she needs to cry - hold her.

When I write in my journal, I write every angry and hurt thought that comes to mind. I always feel better when I have gotten it out of my system. Maybe this is what your sister is doing.. but don't take any chances.

Do not leave her alone tonight. Spend time with her. Try to take her places where she can have fun without any pain. Encourage her - tell her she is improving and you are proud of her success

Answer 6

First of all don't let her know you read it. You shouldn't be going in there in the first place. Take her for a ride and tell her you have a bad feeling that she isn't happy. Get her to talk to you. She needs someone to listen to her. Is it because of the pain in her legs? What is she dong to get the splints in the first place. Tell her to put ice packs on for 20 min and then off for an hour. This sometimes relieves alot of the pain for a bit. Hope you can help her. Wishing you and your sister the best.

Answer 7

She is going to be mad because you read her personal thoughts and at the same time maybe it was put there for you to see as a cry for help on your sister's behalf. 1st talk to your sister and if she is against you saying anything to anyone you tell your parents anyway because she is in a state right now that she really isn't thinking clearly and she needs help. What if she decides to committ suicide and you don't say anything. How are you going to live with yourself. You are probablying thinking this is easy for you to say cause you are not in this situation but let me share with you this: my best friend was a cutter and her arms and legs looked so horrible and one night when she felt that she couldn't go on she cut her wrist a little too deep and died. So you just think about that and then ask yourself is your sister's life worth saying. Of COURSE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

She is in a very delicate state right now so I wouldn't tell her that you read her journal, but take action now! Sit down and talk to her. Tell her that you noticed she was down lately and you want to help. Get down to the bottom of the problem and try to resolve it. Chances are it stems deep down. If she is recovering from anorexia, she probably has very low self-esteem and is prone to depression. In the meantime, think of something that will cheer her up to get her mind off negative thoughts. Maybe you can take her out to the movies, or go for some ice cream. I would also go to your parents and let them know what's going on. Your sister most definitely needs counseling.

I wish you and your family the best of luck.

Answer 9

Sounds like a raging case of melodramatic teen to me. People who honestly have prolems with self-harm are extremely secretive and ashamed about it. It seems unlikely to me that your sister has any real issues with self-harm, since you were so easily able to access evidence.

However, I'm not saying she doesn't have any issues. Clearly, she feels the need to seek attention. Anorexia, and now this? Maybe she feels left out or ignored. See what you can do to treat those feelings. Maybe spend more time with her, or encourage her to participate in activities that don't irritate her legs.

If you feel the need to (but only in an extreme circumstance, as this will breed feelings of betrayal and mistrust towards you and your parents) bring the matter up with your parents and seek counselling for her.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Some may say that the snooping was wrong but for whatever reason you did it what you found has got to brought to your parents attention if you dont think your parents will do anything about it the get another family member invalve this is a cry for help and its up to you to bring it to light for some body to help her she may be very angery withj you fror it but in the long run she will love and respect you for what you have done but do somthing soon because if somthing happens b4 you act that is somthing you dont want on your concionce either