help, i wanna stop cutting myself, but i dont know how?

Question

i have severe depression and have been cutting for 2 years. recently i've began to lose control and the cuts are getting worse. I want to stop but i just don't know how. (and dont tell me to go see a shrink, because i already am)

Answer 1

There are tons of ways people try to stop cutting. Not everything worked well for me, however, when I tried to do it. Sooo, here are the few things that actually helped me.

First of all, keeping your mind off wanting to cut is the main thing you want to do. Which is waaayy easier said [typed?] than done, I know. Try listening to music, watching a movie you KNOW will keep your mind interested [which is actually harder than it sounds], playing games online [Sudoko always keeps my mind interested and its everywhere online], or - and this was the best one for me - exercising.

Not only does exercising keep you busy, but it gets you in shape and is good for you and all that - AND it releases the same endorphines that are released when you cut, so its vaguely the same feeling. Just be careful not to overexercise - you can fall into a whole new set of problems.

Another thing that helped me was drawing on myself with markers when I was really upset. It sounds kind of corny, but it did help a few times. Most people suggest doing it with red markers, but I used black, so I'm guessing it doesn't matter much. Red is more 'realistic', I suppose. But its the same motion, so it helped. Slashing yourself with markers isn't quite as satisfying as doing it for real, but it helped kill the urge.

ALSO! Setting goals helped a lot. First they would be short - you know, 'okay, I will wait half an hour to do it'. Then, if I could do that, I would go longer, maybe two hours? This would go on and on until I hadn't done it for weeks and didn't want to mess up my record.

Some other people do things like snapping rubber bands on their wrists, holding ice in their hands until it hurt, etc etc. None of these things ever really helped me, but I'm sure there are many websites that list other ideas that might help you. Here's just one small one that I found quickly:
http://www.psyke.org/coping/alternatives_to_selfharm/

Good luck!

Answer 2

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 for 30 minutes the next time you feel the need. Go to the kitchen and get some protein, meat, a can of tuna (salmon is better) or whatever, and eat it. Also have some carbohydrate, like a handful of chips, an apple, or some carrots/celery, and also 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 cut 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 nasties. You may want to check out the symptoms link on www.hufa.org, and see how you check out.

Then you may want to have your doctor (your shrink can do it if he is an M.D., not a Ph.D.) prescribe the testing to confirm if you have hypoglycemia or hyperinsulinemia.

Answer 3

Here is a link to a webring and forum that helped me immensely a few years back:
http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html

Here are some helpful techniques to help you STOP cutting on yourself:
http://www.mirror-mirror.org/selfinj.htm
I don't know if this particular one is on the list, but I have heard that drawing on your arm (or leg, or where ever) with a red marker, sometimes helps (as opposed to cutting to see the blood).

I personally found this article interesting, and if you scroll down, there are some hotlines listed that you can call for over-the-phone counseling when you feel like cutting.
http://www.coolnurse.com/self-injury.htm

Self injury is a lot more out in the open than when I began as an adolescent in the seventies. It was truly my secret, as there was virtually no one to confide in. It was comforting in my thirties to find that I was not alone and that there was help in overcoming this. It's tough, once over twenty years has passed, but it is possible to overcome.

Here is a the phone number of one of the hotlines:
1-800 DON'T-CUT (800-366-8288)

Hope one or more of these resources will be a source of comfort and help to you.

Be safe!

Answer 4

I also cut & have done for years. First question you have to ask yourself is " Do I really trust my Shrink?". The second is "Do I trust myself to be open & honest with him/her?".
If the answer to either of these is no, then it"s time to look for someone you CAN trust. The only way to get help is to find someone you can trust with your secret & to be honest with both them & yourself about ALL your feelings, especially those that make you want to cut.
Just because I have been doing it for so long I don't pretend to have all the answers (or even some of them), I just know what I've been through & am offering my personal experience in the hope that it might help.
You can contact me if you want to talk - your choice.

Answer 5

Dear Secret Bleeder,
Why you always think about cutting. Think something else. Best you can do make new friends and hnag out with them. Also go on vaccation. Get invovle with small clubs, commuities sort of thing. Try to watch laughter show. Also if possible join the mentor community like www.bigbrotherbigsister.com so u will be around kids most of the time.
Enjoyment will kill ur depression and u will be back to normal.

Answer 6

Your question and situation are too serious and life-threatening to trust to a bunch of amateurs on Yahoo. If the psychologist you're seeing is not able to help you, you may need to find someone who specializes in your disorder who can give you strategies to help you stop this self-mutilation behavior. People only continue to do things, even harmful things, because they get something out of it. You need to find another activity which will replace the cutting and give you some sense of peace. You also need to allow yourself to FEEL and express anger, love, disappointment, etc. so that cutting does not become the only method by which you feel anything.

I hope you get help, because you seem to realize this is destructive behavior and you want to stop. Good luck.

Answer 7

I wish I could help you. Self harm is a real problem nowadays, that sometimes I think it's a fad. Although I'm not minimalising your problem. Have you thought of turning to God and asking for His grace and protection. He'll give you the strength to overcome this compulsion.

What about joining a church. There are some really modern young people's churches now where they are like close families. Look for a Born Again Christian type of church or a Bible based church.

I'll pray for you.

Answer 8

If you are already seeing a psychiatrist, then tell him what you are doing. If he doesn't listen, then find another who will!
It may be easy to say that you can stop cutting by just not picking up the knife. That is the simplest way of saying it, but it is true. If you resolve to not pick up the knife and find another way of expressing the sadness or anger that is in you. Hitting brick walls does marvels at getting the anger out.

Answer 9

Change psychiatrists if the "shrink" you are seeing does not seem to be helping you. What are you doing for yourself about this problem? Has your doctor suggested counseling and are you going? Many people with psychiatric issues go to a doctor expecting them to fix you. They can offer medications to help with symptoms and referrals to counseling to help you learn how to stop cutting, but you must work hard on developing more healthy coping skills for stressfull situations.

Answer 10

well i had the same problem, i used to cut myself and burn myself with cigarettes, i can`t say i`m totally cured because sometime especially when i`m angry the urge to cut or burn myself is very strong....first of all, try to think about why u do this?? do u like to see blood?or do u do it only when u are angry?? then stay away from any knife or blades, when u get the urge to cut yourself, find something else to do that will take your mind off it, play a game, go out with friends, find a hobby, try some sports... usually now when i get the urge to cut myself, i eat a big piece of chocolate and read a book or call my boyfriend... try calling a friend,someone whom u trust when u want to cut yourself, u can talk with your friend about your feelings and all... to help u along, do things that make u feel happy, read romantic books, watch comedy movies, listen to music go out with friends...find a girlfriend or boyfriend....find someone with whom u can share your problems, sorrow, happiness and affection...

take care