Cutting myself...?

Question

I know a lot of you think that this is stupid or very strange, but whenever i have extreme emotional pain, i cut my arm to help relieve it. It takes my mind off of it and makes me feel better. I have also heard that it helps get rid of some physical pain because of a chemical released when the skin is cut. I want to stop but whenever i get upset about something i turn to cutting. Its gotten so even small things make me do it. Any advice that would help me without counceling??

Answer 1

Stop...now. It's highly addictive, because it becomes the way your mind copes with problems or upsets. You need to find a better and more positive coping method immediately.

You aren't stupid or strange; don't ever think that. I am a recovering self-injurer - over ten years now. It gets worse before it gets better...please try to find better ways of coping when you're upset. Try different things until something "fits" - but this is not the way.

Today, my arms are covered in horrible, obvious scars - I cannot go out in public in short sleeves without stares and questions. You don't want this. If you need to talk to me about anything, I am here to help - I won't judge you or force you to stop, but I can listen and try to help you through this, and over it...please email me at [e-mail] or IM me at vamp_lynx.

Stay strong.

Answer 2

I don't think your weird or stupid, I relate. There are lots of things you can do, most have to do with therapy, or groups that help anyone learn how to tollerate stressful situations, and difficult people. There are medicines that work like the meds that make acoholics sick. These meds aren't good, I was told they make things worse. If you do get therapy, go ahead and find someone willing to deal with cutting first, some won't and the ones who haven't can make it worse. It is a more commn problem than most realise, and very few are just teenage girls as thought, but it is possible to get better, but not a lot without counceling. There are a lot of things you can try that are viewed better, less risk, like ice on your skin, anti anxiety meds may help too. Sorry I tried without therapy with no success, but hopefully you can find a way.

Answer 3

No, it wouldn't be considered "cutting yourself". It would be considered self-mutilation and that doesn't have to always happen with cuts. You're kind of contradicting yourself here. First you say that you feel messed up on the inside and you get bullied at school, and that you cut yourself. Yet you're happy at school and most of the time, and aren't depressed. Which is it? You must be feeling pretty mixed up. You're not insane or stupid, you are probably just confused about your life and how you should be feeling. If you need to tell your Mom that you have been self-mutilating and want to get help, then TELL her. Don't worry about how she is going to react. Sit her down and tell her straight-up that you have this problem. She might react by brushing it off; lots of parents do. That's when you go to your school counselor and tell her, or tell another adult that you trust to make her listen to you. And get help. Self-mutilation isn't a good thing in any case.

Answer 4

If you have gotten to the point of hurting yourself, there is no alternative to counseling. There are a lot of support groups out there if you are low on funds, just call your local Family Independence Agency or Health Department and they can refer you to someone. Or, even if you are not an active member, many churches will help you as well, all you have to do is ask. Until then, when something is upsetting you, sit or lay down, close your eyes, take three deep breaths and imagine you are some where else, anywhere else and keep staying in that place until you have calmed down. Good luck.

Answer 5

i did the same until recently. counselling can help you understand WHY you do it but if you can work that out on your own then that's great. i realised it was my friends who were getting me down - they were always so negative ad weren't really interested in me. when i made a whole bunch of new friends, i was suddenly so much happier and i didn't feel the need to cut myself EVERY day (like i used to). i started just doing it when i felt really bad, and i managed to cut down with the help of my new friends until i completely stopped.

so basically, if you can find some major (but maybe not obvious) reason you're doing this, and then change that, it can really help.

also, think of the scars you'll have. people used to warn me about it but at the time i was so cought up in myself i didn't care. now my arms annd legs are covered in scars and i have to wear long sleeves all the time.

i really hope this helps at least a little bit!!

email me if you ever want to talk =]

xxx

Answer 6

I used to be a cutter... I haven't cut in over a year... I really think that you should get counseling... or at least find somone that you are comfortable talking to about things going on in your life... it wasn't until I started looking at myself and figuring out the things that triggered me that I was able to learn how to deal with my emotions without cutting... I'm not gonna tell you that it's going to be easy or that you will just quit over night but you really need to find someone that you trust to talk to and what's even more important someone that will support you and not condemn you for doing what you do... if it helps you can email me... good luck

Answer 7

well, i've been a cutter for about 8 years, and i'll tell you that it sticks with you. and you're right....people dont understand. it's irrational and isnt something you think about. there's a lot of "cures" out there. like snapping a rubber band on your arm, or putting ice on your arm to give the numb feeling of the nerves being cut. but these arent really cures. they are still coping mechanisms that you do in RESPONSE to your urge, not to FIGHT your urge. you're still giving in.

it's hard to stop, but what it comes down to is will, man. it's hard, but you gotta fight it. make the fight grueling at first. find it to be a form of pain in itself, and that will help you stop for a while.

as corny as it sounds (i'm not a hippy, i swear!) meditate. focus on your breathing, focus on a song, or something. it makes it easier. also, learn an art. paint your feelings or write your feelings or play your feeling on an instrument.

if you need to talk to anyone, feel free to email me at [e-mail]




-HW-7

Answer 8

Chris, this is a very serious issue. You are not the only person to have done this. You really should talk to your parents. If you do not trust your parents, talk to a trusted adult either at your school, or perhaps a friends parents. I dont know how old you are, so forgive me if I am wrong in assuming you are a young teen. You do need to see a doctor about this. You could really wind up hurting yourself someday. Please talk to someone about this as soon as possible!

Answer 9

oh gosh...i used to do the same thing. people dont understand how it numbs and takes away pain. they say "well a cut hurts so its just making more pain" not true...i know exactly how u feel. i actually found a good friend to talk to and we talked and stuff and then my bf told me to promise him it'd never happen again. and when sumthing went bad, i'd call him instead of cut. but once he and i kinda fell apart...i did it once since then but i just try to talk to ppl....listen to music...write...anything. if u need anything plz e-mail me or something!

Answer 10

My first advice would be.....Knock that sh!t off!!!

2nd...I'd try gum or carry a pen and a notepad and when something upsets you write it down. Then you can look at it later to figure out why.

Think about when you are older....girls just aren't attracted to guys with tiny scars all over themselves from cutting themselves.