My roommate has cut herself in the past and It seems like she has stopped receintly. Today I came back from class and I noticed that she is cutting again. She is crying while talking to her boyfriend right now and she has so many ups and downs all the time. She really seems like she is two different people. I am pretty good friends with her, and I have confronted her about the cutting, but I don't really know how to act in this situation. She never tells me her problems and she tries to act like everything is ok. I don't know if I should talk to her or leave her alone because she doesn't really act like she wants advice or anyone to help her. I am really worried for her, but I have never dealt with this before so I don't know what would be the best for me to do. What do you think I should do in this situation. I really want to help her, but I don't want to do something wrong.
Thanks.
2007-02-22 05:22:52 · 10 answers · asked by Jess B 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
The reason why she doesn't want to tell what's wrong is probably because she has tried to tell people in the past but they didn't listen so she thinks that you wont either. Make her understand that you are there for her and will listen whatever she has to say. She is not doing this as a cry for attention but a cry for help. She feels numb to life and causing self inflicted pain may believe be one of the only ways she can feel alive again.If you think she stops cutting in the future you may be wrong because she may just be hiding the wounds. She may cut her stomach, back, upper arms, legs, and other easily hidden places. She may also burn herself so taking away sharp objects won't do anything but make her more desperate. If she won't go to a psychiatrist be a personal one to her. Ask her to tell you why she feels the urge to cut at moments and while she gets into the story ask some interesting questions that may lead to answers from her past. Have her keep a notebook and make columns in it. On the 1st column have her put what type of injury and where she had the urge to hurt herself at.[leg,arm,burn,cut] 2ND column put what caused her to want to do harm at the moment. For more information and stuff search on youtube.com
2007-02-22 05:51:08 · answer #1 · answered by FML 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not wait any longer. This girl needs serious help. Cutting is a form of depression and/or mental instability. I had a friend who cut herself all the time. She said it relieved the pressure she was under but every time it returned she was moodier, cut herself more and less able to cope with life. Your friend isn't capable of clear thinking at this point. She might even believe that she is the one in control and can stop any time she wants to. This is not true. Fortunately, my friend had the sense to realize it controlled her and checked herself into the nearest hospital. That is not an easy thing to do but it did save her life in more ways than one. See if your friend will listen to you if so maybe you could get her to the health clinic. If this doesn't work...it's a serious enough thing that I'd try to get someone else involved. Go to the clinic yourself and explain the situation. They should be able to help you help her. If that doesn't appeal to you...then go to her parents or an RA at school. Anything....except ignoring it.
2007-02-22 05:36:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People have been self-injuring themselves for a long time, it's nothing new. Although the reasons are different for everyone, they're usually not doing it to get attention or because they love pain.
I used to do this to myself, and when I started, I had NEVER heard of anyone else doing it. Physical pain relieves emotional pain.
Most likely, your friend is hurting inside, and when she hurts herself on the outside, she is getting relief from that. It is good that you want to help your friend.
However, she needs to want the help. The most important thing you can do is be her friend. The cutting is NOT the problem. The problem is how she feels on the inside. You need to love her and not judge her. If she wants to talk to you, then you can listen.
be a friend and love her. she's trying to relieve pain, you can't fix it.
2007-02-22 08:18:57 · answer #3 · answered by tuff~luv 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i find it hard to believe the number of people that are doing this cutting thing. some mental disorders involve this behaviour .
i have to wonder are they all affected by this mental illness.
anyway you should ask her to seek help for this.
if she continues i suggest you contact the police . they can put a person in the hospitail agaist there will if the person is doing harm to themself. if the police fail you then speak to the justice of the peace they too can order a pyschiatric review of a person
you need to present the police or jp with facts not emontion just hard cold facts how often how much so on. what you have done to help what she has done and so on .
this really is the way to go.
2007-02-22 05:40:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to talk to her about getting some professional help. Many people cut, and it is at times a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, which your friend might have. If she is unwilling to get help for herself, and you feel she is in danger of doing some serious harm to herself, you can contact emergency services and see if they can help you out. (Your local mental health agency or such)
Good luck,
--Dee
2007-02-22 05:28:11 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds rather serious - for her and for you. From your description, it sounds like you are in college. I would advise contacting your university counseling center and asking for a consult. They can help (1) evaluate the risk she may be posing to herself and (2) help you figure out ways to cope with what's going on.
2007-02-22 11:30:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your roommate needs to get help with this situation. its not a good idea to leave her by herself for the fact that she can hurt herself more. get her to the local hospitals emergency room where the doctors can evaluate her condition.
2007-02-22 05:32:48 · answer #7 · answered by Claudia S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This whole cutting trend really annoys me. It's stupid and chlidish. If someone wants to hurt themselves then so be it. But don't use it as a way to get attention or get your way. If she doesn't want your help that's her choice. I honestly would get outta there or tell her to leave before she flips out and unleashes on you.
2007-02-22 05:32:08 · answer #8 · answered by Eldude 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i suggest you lock her in a straigt jacket and force her to watch mr roggers neighborhood
oh and get her some medicine for her bipoler disorder
2007-02-22 05:34:32 · answer #9 · answered by New and improved Dr.Phil 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
find a support meeting and go with her
2007-02-22 05:29:15 · answer #10 · answered by bb77blueeyes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋