How do you stop cutting?

Question

And, no, its not as simple as saying, "you know, i think i am going to stop, starting right now. "

Answer 1

Are you trying to stop? If so, congrats! That's a big first step to take =) Anyways...

A good thing to try is professional help. I got a counselor for my self harm issues, and he was understanding and helpful. Most councellors are not judgemental and do there best to help, though a few might not be able to help someone with self harm issues, just because they are not well trained in that area of psychology, but most are cool. So i would suggest getting a counselor if possible, they can be a great help.

Another thing to do is to tell someone you love about this issue (if you haven't already). Self harming is a very hard thing to stop, much harder if you don't have someone helping you. Not trying to discourage you, just think you should tell someone. Tell someone you can trust and that won't judge you, and will listen to you.

Also, ther are some tips to stop the urges to self harm. Here are a few:

*Draw in red pen on the area where you usually cut yourself. *just ignore it and move on. ALL urges will pass in time, you just have to distract yourself until they do
*Do something relaxing when you are stressed, take a warm bath, do a soduko, read a book, cross-stitch (that works for me) whatever makes you relax
*Write in a journal how you feel when you want to hurt yourself, get your feelings out
*Listen to music that either: 1. calms you down, makes you happy 2. music that talks about how you are feeling, like hurt, angry, etc... (be careful with this though, it could actually trigger you if you aren't careful)
*Talk to anyone, not nesscarily about the cutting, just call up a friend to distract yourself.
*Hit something (not yourself) like a pillow or something
*Pray (if you are religious)
These are tips to deal with the feelings. Now some tips for the pain part

*Hold ice cubes in your hand. It gives you the pain without causing any damage (some variants of this include adding red dye to the ice to make it look like blood, helps them get over the urge)
*Keep a rubber band on your wrist and snap it when you want to cut yourself, for some people the pain from that is enough (be careful with this also. Some people want more pain and it just triggers them)

there are many more tips out there, but i don't know them all. The ice tip is pretty common, i vaguely recal my counsellor talking about it.

Another thing that can be very helpful is finding a support group, like a chat room or something. If you want ot get a support group i suggest NOT going to a group where they think it is ok to hurt yourself. What i mean is, groups that glorify self harm and talk about how great it is, how cool it is, show off thier cuts, things like that. Find a group where the people understand, but they don't glorify it and want to help others stop. This i found to be very helpful, as they understand what you are going through and can help you with it, while the first type just encourages you to cut more and stuff. A great site to check out is recoveryourlife.com this is a self harming site with tons of memebers with this exact problem that are willing to help. It has a chat room and a forum for whatever your needs are.

I can't really think of what else to add to this. I just hope things work out well for you. If you need to talk feel free to contact me. good luck!

-sarah

Answer 2

You have begun well with recognising the first step to achieving what you want..to stop the cutting....you have asked HOW to stop. Next step, because you cannot actualt do it alone, no-onme can, is to seek out a professional..go to the ER and see if they can steer you in the right direction. Not sure where you live but here in Australia we have Psych nurses who can steer you in the right direction to get help from the ER.
The professionals can give you a tailored set of coping mechanisms to help you each day along the way so that when you feel like cutting you can stop yourself and you will form another habit that will essentialy, take away the pain you are feeling..the pain you are trying to block by cutting.

Answer 3

When I stopped, it was hard. I had no one to help me along. I disciplined myself so well during that time, that I think is what did it. When I wanted to, I told myself no. When I picked up the safety pin or the key, I forced myself to put it back down. It is still hard at times, but I've almost gone 2 years. You need to get help, because doing it on your own is much too difficult.

Answer 4

even though scars are cool... lots of them look gross. my gf had that problem when she was in her early years in high school... you should start cutting something else, like a piece of wood or something. Or start playing an instrument, it helps you relieve your depression. The way she stopped was because her best friend made her promise to never do it again. good luck.

Answer 5

I really honestly believe that if you TRULY wanted to quite cutting, you could. Actually, I don't BELIEVE you could, I KNOW you could. Tell yourself this: Why cause any more pain to my body? If I am already suffering emotional pain, why make it physical pain?

Sorry that you're cutting yourself. Maybe you should talk to a counselour or something. Cutting yourself could lead to even more serious things.

Answer 6

****, you are so right! and i wish i knew the answer! i ended up getting locked up because of my cutting! (i'm 17) im trying hard to stop, and ppl tell me just to get over it! god! they have no idea!!! i understand dear, i'm in exactly the same boat! soz hun, i wish i could help but i cant, i cant even help myself!

Answer 7

cutting your skin? well first of all think your ruining your body on purpose. If you can't stop cutting your self see a councler (P.S hope it helps)

Answer 8

You should see a professional counselor or psychologist, right away. There are definately other issues causing these behaviors.....possibly depression or bipolarism. Please, seek professional help. You can ask your doctor to refer you.

Answer 9

Please see a physician. They can talk to you about some of the physical and emotional things that are going on in your life.

Answer 10

put down the knife