Self-injury treatments?

Question

I have a history of SI and am having relapses every now and then. I want - and tried my utmost - to stop, but it is so hard. Whenever I feel stressed or tensioned, I just subconsciously go back to this coping mechanism.

How can I stop effectively? I've never had any treatments or received any professional help before. Do I really need a professional to help me through? Is it a necessity?

Also, I'm not legally an adult yet. Would they notify my parents if I really go for psychiatric/counselor visitations?

Answer 1

Chances are they would notify your parents in order to obtain consent for treatment if you are under 18, however, if doing so could be leterious to you or impair your ability to receive treatment they can document that and provide the treatment without parental consent.
By all means, see a counselor. It is wonderful that you were able to refrain from acting on the urges for long periods, but treatment will help you go beyong just refraining and help you find better ways to cope after determining the purpose served by the SI. It's also common to occasionally lapse into old behavior after a period of abstinence when something triggers you-just don't let a lapse become a relapse.


Here are some excerpts from previous similar questions that I've answered that you may find helpful:

There are multiple reasons why people self-mutilate and each case needs to be explored individually. The most common reason is that it occurs in order to induce a dissociative state and assists people who have been traumatized with achieving a state of emotional numbness and you hear it described as soothing for them. The physiological basis for it stems from the release of endorphins-the brain's natural painkillers-which function much like opiates and dull the experience of emotional pain. Other reasons include the opposite rationale-people who feel numb emotionally and who have shut down will self-mutilate in order to feel something and remember they are alive. Others do it for self-punishment and feel relief from guilt or shame and see the letting of blood as a way to purge themselves of guilt. It may be a way of re-enacting and attempting to master early traumatic experiences This often happens during a dissociative state where people are recalling experiences which were traumatizing and they feel a need to punish/purge themselves for what they often mistakenly believe they have done wrong. There are also folks who do it as a way to cope with unrelenting chronic physical pain from other sources as it creates an alternative pain that distracts them from the chronic pain (think of the principle behind how a TENS unit works). In more rare instances it can be a response to psychotic states where folks are responding to command hallucinations or believe they are purging themselves from some evil inside them. There are other less common reasons, depending on the form of self-mutilation (eye enucleation, castration, etc.) that tend to be symbolic in nature. But most commonly it is done in response to increased feelings of tension with which the individual cannot cope and it becomes a way for them to dissociate their emotional pain and achieve an emotional numbing. The goal of treatment is to fully understand the reasons that sustain the behavior and in the latter case (the most common) to help people develop affect tolerance and the ability to cope with and soothe their emotional pain in healthier ways.

I'm a therapist and I agree with all the folks here who speak from personal experience that you need to speak with a professional that can help you explore healthier alternatives. The longer you wait, the harder it gets, so please seek some assistance. Cutting really only works for a while and eventually it'll lose it's charm and you may find yourself cutting deeper and more often in order to achieve the same effect.

Just a couple of ideas to help get you started-try to stop in small steps. Set yourself a goal to not cut for a certain time period and when you've mastered that, set yourself a goal to refrain for longer periods, depending on how frequently you are cutting. Take it one day, one hour at a time if necessary. You can do this with each episode when you feel the impulse to cut in order to increase your self-control each time you feel the desire. What you'll also find is that as you go for longer and longer periods of time without giving in to the urge to cut, you'll become more aware of all your feelings and what is driving them and therapy can really help you to understand it better and give you options to consider. Ultimately you need to make a choice to stop the behavior or it won't stop. But for starters, try making a choice to refrain for a little longer than usual and challenge yourself to extend the time for longer and longer intervals. Setting a goal to stop can be daunting, but breaking it down into steps usually works and it allows you gradual access to your emotions so you can learn alternate methods of coping a little at a time.

Also, remove and get rid of all the things with which you regulary cut. Many people have certain items they use all the time and it becomes like a ritual. Removing these things will help you gain delay time by not having them readily accessible. It won't prevent you from getting other objects, but it will decrease the likelihood that you'll act on impulse alone.

Another option that has worked for some folks is to take a doll or stuffed animal that you love and cut it instead and then stitch it up or bandage it. It allows you to vent your feelings, but also helps you recognize and empathise with the pain you are inflicting by doing this and that in turn helps develop understanding towards yourself and gives you an opportunity to engage in actions designed to help heal the hurt. Loving something else, even a stuffed animal, is often a path towards learning to love and care for yourself.

Rubber bands, drawing a red line with a marker or ice are substitutes and some folks do find this helpful, but ultimately you need to break away from the cycle of causing yourself pain in order to numb up your emotions.

One other thought to consider. What you experience when you cut is really more like relief from pain than it is like truly feeling happy. The absence of pain is not the same as feeling happy, so don't settle for less than really being happy. Good luck!!!!

Answer 2

The first thing to do it to throw away your "tools." I'm sure you'd be able to find other things that do the trick, but getting rid of the razors or whatever is symbolic (or at least was for me) and can jump start your recovery.

I would also recommend trying to replace your si urges with something more productive (like clean or exercise). There is a list of alternatives in the link below... some of them are craptastic, but others are legitimate.

If your see a counselor at school or otherwise (in the usa), I believe that they are legally required to inform your parents about harm to yourself or others. Outside of school, I am not so sure (sorry). A bit of google-ing would probably find you the answer.

There is a type of therapy called DBT that is known to be effective for people with si. Traditional talk therapy works for many people too. Medication for depression or whatever might also help... it is different for everyone.

So your parents don't know eh? Depending on your relationship with them, it may beneficial to tell them. Make sure they don't freak out though- many older people have no idea what si is, or just think it is a "cry for help" or they freak out and insist on hospitalization. What I'm really trying to say here is use discretion.

Nobody's perfect, so if you slip up, try not to feel guilty, this will just lead into a downward spiral.

I wish you the best of luck with this--- I know it is very, very tough.

Answer 3

It is hard to stop doing something that helps you cope with anxiety or stress or depression. It is a release to self injury.
You really need to talk to your parents so they can be supportive about your condition. If they are not here for you
talk to a guidance counselor at school. Medication and
theraphy can help. You don't want to spend your life covering
up your injuries. It takes time to learn new coping skills but
you will be much happier and healthier the sooner you start
getting the help you need. Good Luck!

Answer 4

I recommend seeing a therapist or some kind of professional. They would be able to help you deal with whatever emotions/situations cause your urges to SI. I'm pretty sure you would need parental consent, but it's better to get help for it while your young. In the meantime, try holding ice instead =)

Answer 5

Your parents wont know if you dont them to about you seeing a psychiatric/counselor because i wasnt an adult and i did it all by myself, no parents! But yes go and get yourself some help ash. I really hope to you the best!

Answer 6

Try using Rational Recovery (RR) - I cut for 12 years and stopped for 4 using RR. Check out this site - http://www.rational.org/html_bullets/bul... Follow the 26 bullets and see what you think - just replace the word drug/drink with "self injury."

E-mail me or Message me on messenger, since you don't allow contact .

Answer 7

I determined areas to get medication while I was once in clinic one night time getting stitches. If you move in and ask on the table approximately intellectual wellness cures they will have to be capable to aid you out.