Any advice on ways to stop Self Injury?

Question

I am a "cutter" and I also have burned. I seek therapy and been in and out of rehab over the same stuff. I can not get a grasp on how to control my compulsions to cut. Any advice on websites or groups or good coping mechanisms would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I have been a cutter since I was 11...I am now 18. I have also been in and out of rehab. You need to take it a day at a time. I just kept telling my self " I am not going to hurt myself today" and if I had to say it over and over and over again, I did. Try that... if you mess up, dont get upset, just keep going.. So what if you mess up, just keep trying not to do it...its not the end of the world if you slip up. I also paint...I find that able to get some of my emotions out. I havent cut in maybe 1 month...and you know what treat yourself to things and do things for yourself since you deserve them. Someone told me that you have to be selfish and focus on yourself in order to get better. I hope what I've said helps. If you belong to a church you might want to get involved in group with people your age. You might be suprised I did that, and I found that people were going through the same things I was.
You can email me if you want to talk.
[e-mail]

Answer 2

Gosh, what is it with all of the cutters this year????

IMHO, cutting is a symptom of another problem, much like a runny nose is a sign you've got a cold. You need to find out what that other problem is, and address that. When you address that issue (or issues) then the cutting should go away.

IN the meanwhile, exercise will release the same endorphines into your body as are released when you cut. Go exercise until you're exhausted -- go running several miles, or pump iron, or do situps, etc. You'll "hurt" yourself in a much healthier way.

Answer 3

I have been battling this for 23 years the best therapy I know of is to basically get a network of "non cutting " friends who are willing to take calls and be your sponsers. then work on grounding yourself or keeping yourself in the here and now some people have to do that with a stress ball or a piece of ice and every time that you get through an urge you need to self soothe or congratlate yourself I have lots more Ideas if you want to contact me @ [e-mail]

Answer 4

Some things that I did to help me stop cutting was ripping up paper in little tiny pieces, scribbling with a pencil on paper, taking a red marker and drawing where I would cut, snapping a rubber band, keeping a journal, taking walks. Hope these help. Good Luck

Answer 5

Stop your ******* bawwing this instant. i am not here to comfort you, or to help you cry. i am not here to listen to your story and say, there there, everything will be ok. so stop your ******* crying. you want to know what i don't care about your sadness? because you shouldn't be sad. and i know, i know this is serious ****, and its important, and you don't know what you are going to do now, but at the end of the day, it is the same **** that all of us go though. i am a failure in pretty much everything i do, and i have yet to do anything my parents can be proud of. but you know what? im ******* awsome now, i will admit that i havent held a dieing man in my arms, or any serious ******* ****, but its all the same. people go through **** every day of their lives, and that is what life is. so grab a beer, pop a top, and toast that you are still alive. give a toast to those who aren't. those that died so you could be free. gave their lives so you can hate yours. you are ******* awsome. but you dont want to admit it. you go though **** day in and day out and you live. you are alive. this world cannot beat you. it cannot destroy you. there is no shame in defeat as long as the spirit is not conquered. so dont ******* give up. you are a good, decent person, who is in hard times. you deserve someboyd. you deserve a hug. you deserve a kiss at night. you deserve a friend. don't you ever ******* think differently you are awesome so start ******* acting like it.

Answer 6

I, myself, use to be a cutter. One thing that's helped me is to get a rubber band and every time you have an urge to cut, flick the rubber band really hard. It's a lot better than cuttin' yourself. It leaves a mark for awhile, yes, but at least you aren't scarring yourself by cutting. I hope this has helped! If you ever wanna chat, go ahead and add me. Just click my name to the right and add me to your messenger.

Answer 7

I used to be a "cutter" as well.

Heres what I did:

I had my two best friends keep an eye on me, they gave me no chance to hurt myself. They made sure that I was having fun as well, and slowly let me have knifes again.

Or you can go live in an Air port, well securitys not that great anyway. It's worth a shot.

Answer 8

I think you need to figure out WHY your cutting in the first place. There is an underlying reason. I had a similar problem and figured out what was making me do it in the first place then avoid it like the plague- hope this helps

Answer 9

1. take a hot shower and cry ur heart out
2. it still causes some "injury" but while "weening" urself away from the blade.. use a rubber band.. and gently GENTLY pop when u feel like cutting -- not a good solution but like i said it will help u ween urself away from the blade

Answer 10

I am not a cutter but do know what you r going through,i have lost a good friend to it and all i can say is -you may not know me but i care and i hope this will help.i would love to help you more.