advice. what should i do if my best friend is cutting her self?

Question

should i get her help or should i stay out of it?? please help

Answer 1

I am no psychologist, but - my best friend's girlfriend, who was also my friend (only) used to do that. In her case, she was deep-down "punishing herself." Also - in her case (not necessarily your friend's case!) - this girl had been approached in the wrong way by her grandfather when she was very young, so, again - in her case - this may have been one reason why she felt "worthless" and that she deserved some form of "punishment." In your fiend's case, she, too, must be made aware of the fact that she is in no way "worthless," and that she deserves no form of "punishment" whatsoever! If she cannot be made to realize this, then my advice would be for someone to get her to professional help! Cutting one's self is not normal, and it should not be ignored !!

Answer 2

There is very little you can do. There are many reasons a person would choose to cut. If she is not an adult, I agree that you should talk to her parents or your school counselor.

I am a "cutter" though I haven't in quite some time. In order for me to get to a space where I don't feel I need to do that, I needed help, though I resisted it a lot at first. She needs to talk to a professional counselor.

I've known people who like me said it wasn't attempting suicide as that wasn't the goal of their cutting. Unfortunately, even without intent, many cut too deep just that one time and die.

It does NOT get better. I believe it to be similar to addiction. I believe every cut gets worse, and while it can VERY temporarily relieve pressure, it will get worse and worse until she gets help. I could not stop while I was actively gutting.

If your friend has confided in you about this, she has taken a step. She is reaching out to you, not matter how "tough" she might be and I don't think you should "stay out of it".

Again, there are going to be a LOT of emotions around this. She may be very angry with you should you choose to tell someone.

Your job though in life is to take care of you first or you are no help to others. Consider how it would feel if you do nothing and the worst happens.

Answer 3

You should definitely tell someone. Maybe a parent or school counselor that you trust.

Cutting is a serious situation and it's not something you or your friend can handle by themselves. As her friend you have to step up and help her, because she can't make or do that by herself.

Here is a good site for some extra information:
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html

I wish you and your friend the best of luck!

Answer 4

Advise her to address the source of her problems, starting with seeing her doctor. Tell her to put a rubber band around her wrist, extend and release, when she feels the need to cut, but only for a few minutes, max., or draw a red line across her wrist. Write down the following, and give her a copy: Phone 1800 dont cut http://www.focusas.com (.com/selfinjury.html) & http://www.palacenet/~llama/psych/ (psych/injury.html) & www.mirror-mirror.org Join at www.myspace.com [free]. Click on "groups" in an upper toolbar, select "other" and search for a suitable one that you can show her, or she can pick one, maybe changing later, possibly exchanging IM, email addresses, or phone numbers (caution advised). Also Yahoo; groups & Google; groups are options.

Answer 5

Yes get her help, hopefully her parents if they are sane will have her see a doctor. She's going to keep doing it till someone helps her and could wind up with hideous scars for the rest of her life.

Answer 6

Tell her parents or someone else with some sort of influence over her. Someone I knew was a cutter that no one knew about. She got blood poisoning and was hospitalized for nearly a month.

Answer 7

If your her best friend what do you think you should do? I would get help. What if your best friend kills her self then what would you do?
All i'm saying is if your her best friend then you should help her.

Answer 8

i had the same problem wit a friend of mine but she had 2 go to a medical hospital cuz she had mental problems but anyways get her in trouble take the thing away from her tell sum1 take her to a phycaristist.....u no talk 2 her.....or maybe she's emo lol

Answer 9

If you go to school you could talk to your consular, he or she would know what to do.You should say something because if she ever did anything too serous you will probably blame yourself for not saying anything. Oh and one more thing....dont listen to that jesus freak, if you do you will problably end up cutting yourself.

Answer 10

Get her help!!
Please talk to her parents or another adult in her family that you trust. If that is not possible, talk to your own parent or older adult.
If you have a school counselor, you may want to talk to her/him.

A piece of advice -your friend will probably be upset w/you for revealing her secret & your friendship might be tested. But keep in mind that this is going to help her and one day she will be very grateful to you for it.