I am seeing my school psycologist but its not helping. my mom seems to think its just a phase or pms. my psycologist says its stress and depression. i want to stop and i think going into a rehab would help but we cant afford it and my mom wont let me. i need help.
2007-03-13 14:17:57 · 22 answers · asked by Brianna K 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Sometimes people cut themselves as a releases of emotional pain or as a sign for the hurt inside. Next time u feel like cutting yourself, squeeze some ice cubes really tightly instead. This still has the same painful effect but without permanent damage.
2007-03-14 02:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by sazzy_b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Self Harm is a symptom of depression - and until the depression is treated, you'll find it hard to move on. You're mom needs to accept that until the root problem is acknowledged and you're given medication or therapy with someone who can help you - the self harm isn't going to go away. I have been self harming for over 10 years and it has escalated over that time. I now get treated for my depression (Not just treatment for a symptom) and things have improved dramatically. You may not need to go in to rehab on a residential level - but you do need someone to talk to regularly - who understands what is going on with you. Tell your mom that phases do not tend to last 5 years - and while you may feel worse around the time of period, PMS does not cause people to begin self harming!
It is very difficult to accept someone you love is a self harmer- but there is a lot of literature out there that could help her understand - especially on the internet. Don't be too hard on her though - I know it's difficult for you, but it's hard for her to accept too.
If I were you, I would show her some of the responses to your question - to make her realise the situation you - and a lot of others are in. And that there is help out there if she'll help you get it.
2007-03-14 04:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by scamp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you have been seeing the school psychologist already, perhaps you could first try sharing with him/her the feeling that you need more help. They can often help get a parent who's denying the need for more intensive treatment on board and put some pressure on your Mom to take it more seriously and to get involved in ways that might actually help you. It's tough when you're a kid to do things like this on your own without your parents' support and perhaps the school psychologist can persuade her to see your pain more realistically.
If that doesn't seem to be enough, talk to the school psychologist about Catholic Charities. They have counselors who can and will help you and they will adjust a fee based on what you can afford and even waive it if you cannot pay. You can even seek treatment without your parents' permission as you've indicated that telling your folks could be detrimental to your getting the help you need.
2007-03-13 14:31:43 · answer #3 · answered by Opester 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried other methods that aren't as severe. When I tried to stop self harm I was given an elastic band to put round the wrist. Whenever you want to cut you pull the band back and let it snap against your skin. I was told this technique from a mental health nurse when I was in a psych ward. It did help and I still wear one on my wrist.
When trying to stop, it can be difficult if you don't have other coping mechanisms in place first. I often feel anger aimed at myself as well as other people, so i bought an inflatable punch bag and when I feel angry I imagine whoever's face on it and and punch it like mad. The best tip I can give you is try to go one full day without cutting, then go for two days etc etc etc. Don't beat yourself up if you have a relapse. Do everything in your power to look after yourself and then start again.
I wish you all the best, I know what you're going through, if you want to talk more privately please feel free to email me.
2007-03-14 05:04:47 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all -- your psycologist is right... It is because of stress and depression, definitely not pmsing! I have heard of some tricks to stop. One is have a rubberband around your wrist and pull it when you wanna cut yourself. Another is scribble on your wrists with red pen. I haven't really been through this but I know some stuff about it so just try those two things.
2007-03-13 14:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by mlissers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cutting is definitely a problem. You obviously have gotten addicted to it and need help to stop. While your mom cares for you, right now the money issue seems to be blocking her vision. You should try to talk to the school psychologist about how you would like to get into a program to help you stop cutting. If you are uncomfortable try talking to someone else you trust. I was pretty down back in middle school and I talked to some teachers that I trusted a lot. They helped a ton. People are there for you, you just need to put your gather your strength and talk to someone that you trust. They will help you. They can help you talk to your mom and help her see how important it is for you to get help. No one wants to be cutting for forever. It just is that once you start (no matter what the reason), it begins to be a habit that is not easy to break. So many people deal with this and no one should have to. Please talk to someone you trust, whether it is your teacher or some other adult that can talk to your mom with you, or maybe a friend's mom or dad that could help talk to your mom.
Hope this helps.
2007-03-13 14:29:52 · answer #6 · answered by Faith In One 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i've been there and it sucks.i have the scars i see every day. I think every one of your comments so far is right in some way.it is an attention things,just as it is a psychological thing. when i did it,i want attention and that was the easiest way to get it,but all it did was have people thinking negatively about me.I think your best bet is to think os something else to bypass it with.even just drawing or singing or perhaps going for a run.You have to try something else in order to stop it becoming habit.At one point,i was doing it daily when i was in a perfectly good mood-simply because it was a habit.You need to find a better outlet for your hurt,and you need to work out what is hurting you.The sooner you do that,the more chance there is of you pulling through.It's got to be a personal journey though-if someone else takes control,you will fall back in.you have to WANT to stop.x
2007-03-13 14:28:08 · answer #7 · answered by lady_margery 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I self harmed for years. I kept on trying to stop but never could. Eventually I just decided I really did want to stop for real and I did stop straight away no effort.
This was also how I gave up smoking. As soon as I was 100% certain I wanted to stop then I stopped.
It's not so much will power as thinking things through. If a part of me wants to give in then eventually I will give in. If I am certain I want to stop something then I have no reason to give in and start again because I have no desire at all to do so.
As soon as you realise you totally and completely want to give up you will give up.
Think about why you cut and change the cause. If you get rid of the cause then you won't need to have the symptoms and then you can give up cutting forever easily.
2007-03-13 15:39:20 · answer #8 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think your mom is should not tell you its just a phase, because she has probably never gone through it. I will tell you that for me, it was.BUT i was not as young as you were when you started. You need to tell your mom as maturely and calmly as possible(so hopefully shell take you seriously this time), that this is a REAL problem that you want to take control of, that teenagers DO suffer from this, its common and treatable, and please would she try to see things from your point of view. There are churches in your area wherever you are, that can point you in the right direction to a low income short term place that has counseling services available and i think that would be a great help to you. Good luck.
2007-03-13 14:33:18 · answer #9 · answered by ♥mama♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cutting is driven by a need for attention driven by the depression and stress. It sounds like generalized anxiety, but only a doctor can diagnose that.
It's not that you need rehab (unless you also have an addiction to drugs or alcohol), but that you need to have your mental health properly diagnosed and treated; that treatment may involve medication and/or therapy.
Tell your school psychologist if financial issues or a lack of insurance is keeping you from seeing your family doctor or a pediatric psychiatrist.
2007-03-13 14:24:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋