What should I do about my cutting problem?

Question

I want help.

Answer 1

i use to be a cutter. Wether you feel it or not you may have some form of depression. There is something even if your not aware that makes you cut to 'take away the pain'.

What worked for me was to see a therapist and to change my life style. Maybe you should look into your options of professional help.

If you are scared to tell your parents, friends and family about your problem you can always say you want to talk to a professional because you are having emotional problems related or work/school, then when you are along tell the therapist the truth.

By law they can not and will not tell a soul unless you express the want to physicaly harm another, or yourself and show intention. Cutting is not in that catagory because its seen as a symptom, a cry for help rather then a suicide attempt.

Stopping on your own can be hard, and depending on how long you have been doing it trying to stop may form other 'addictions'.

The best advice i can give to you if to talk to someone, and even if you have to tell a 'little white lie' to your parents its worth it in the long run.

Answer 2

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/

I also suggest going to a counselor or therapist. They can really help you to quit and can even get you on medication if they think you need that.

Good luck!

Answer 3

talk to someone about it. friend, sibling, parent, counselor, anyone.

there are other things you can do to sort of take the edge off without hurting yourself. Some ppl recommend wearing a rubber band around your wrist and snapping it when you feel anxious. others have these special balls (its some sort of oriental trick actually, i dont know where it originated, but it aids mental cleansing) you rub them around and around in your hands, sort of in circles, and it takes the focus away from the want to hurt

you could also use a stone, or a gem of some sort, (gems might hold special meanings, if you believe that different kinds help with different things) and you can keep it in your pocket all day and rub it when you get nervous or upset.

really, you just have to be strong. when you get the urge to cut, find something else to do. Or tell someone that you have the urge, and ask them to help distract you.

Remember you're not alone, many many ppl have this problem (including myself, when i was younger) and you're being very strong by taking the first step and admiting you have a problem, and asking for help. Good for you!

Here are some sites that can offer you support, information, and more ways to distract yourself, or things you can do instead of cutting.

Answer 4

Well, you need to find someone you can trust to talk about whatever is bothering you that makes you cut yourself in the first place. You're cutting yourself to cause yourself physical pain because something huge is causing you emotional pain, it seems. And you don't want to talk about your problems because you don't think anyone cares or understands, and you don't want to talk about you cutting yourself because think no one will understand or just think you're weird.

People cope with stress all kinds of ways that aren't good for them. Cutting is just as bad as internalizing your pain, if you ask me. Both are self destructive, and you'll regret your scars the older you get. There will be a time later in your life when you look back at them and go, "Wow, I was feeling really bad...I wish I'd not took it out on myself like this, though". You need to talk to someone. If you can, talk to a therapist. If you're religious, share your problems with the Creator. Any positive way to releive the burden on you.

Remember: It's not bad to ask for help.

Answer 5

You should see a therapist. It may take a while to feel like you are getting anywhere by seeing a therapist, but I really think it will help you in the long run. You need to find out what really makes you want to cut yourself.

Answer 6

Depending on what issues you have, you may need to check yourself into a clinic. If this stems from something out of you past that involves molestation, then you will definitely need to get some help from a therapist or a counselor. If you are still in high school, and you feel your counselor is pretty decent, get with him/her first and let them know that you want help. Good luck.

Answer 7

see a psychologist, look in your local phone book or ask your school counselor or a trusted friends, relative or parent...you aren't alone, its a growing problem and fast becoming the cool thing to do...don't fall for it....seek help now.

Answer 8

you should seek counseling and alternate means of dealing with your problems
Good Luck

Answer 9

stop doing it would be the first thing

go see a psychiatrist soon, you need counseling and probably medication

Answer 10

it depends on who u cutting if u cutting people who deserves it then :) but if u cutting people who dont our yo self then :(