...that are also having a really bad time with cutting atm, and just can't seem to stop? i just can't stop atm, normally i wait until cuts are almost fully healed before allowing myself to do it again, but i couldn't, and now i'm covered in cuts, and i think i'm gonna have a fair few scars as well this time. :( arrrgh i just can't cope with anything atm! i don't even know what i'm saying...this isn't really a question...just wanna know if anyone else is in the same boat i spose....hmmm..yeah i dunno...just talk please.....
oh i've thought of a question - only for cutters or medical people - if you have a small gaping cut, how can you help it heal so that there is a minimal amount of scarring? i tried using medical tape to pull the skin together, but it didn't really work, and i can see it is going to scar badly. it's healed too much to do anything now, but i need to know incase i end up cutting badly again - i already have a couple of scars coz of gaping wounds. :(
2007-10-13 08:34:43 · 18 answers · asked by pullthetrigger 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
i need help...but i can't get help. i think i also have social anxiety, so i'm terrified of seeing a doc, and i can't approach my parents. i'm also scared of talking to people on the phone, so i can't phone anyone, and i can't talk to my friends about it as they hate the fact i self harm, and i'm already too much of a burden upon them. also, i can't see a doc as i read on someone's question recently that it's hard to get a job if your records say you have mental problems such as depression as people think you are unstable, so i can't get help. :(
2007-10-13 08:53:59 · update #1
charleigh - have been cutting for about 3 and a half years. :(
2007-10-14 07:48:14 · update #2
Please go to your doctors as soon as you can! You obviously want help to stop self-harming or you wouldn't have posted your question. Your life and you are too precious to lose to self-harming. You won't have problems finding a job if you see your doctor. People with mental health problems do work. Unfortunately you are anxious and this will cause you to not be able to think in a rational way. Please speak to someone about this. We know a lot of young people who have self-harmed and our advise has been the same to all of them.....get help. There is help out there if you are prepared to ask for it. You really should talk to your parents. Yes, we know that this will be a frightening thing to do and they will probably be very upset but accept that they will be....it will be because they probably don't understand why you do it, how you can do it to yourself and that you haven't told them before. They will react because they love you. The biggest problem you will face if you continue to self-harm is that one day you might cut too far and cause excessive bleeding which will require life-saving treatment. If this happens you will be referred for psychiatric evaluation. It would be a better idea if you seek help before it gets this far. You could cause an infection which if left untreated could result in you losing the limb you've cut. We do not want to frighten you but these are very real situations that you could find yourself in. As for the question about scarring....if you cut you will scar. You say you wait until the cuts are healed before cutting again....you have proved to us with that statement that you can stop....make the decision to get help and make the decision to stop hurting yourself. Get a diary and write down the feelings you are experiencing the next time the urge to hurt yourself comes upon you. But don't reach for whatever it is you use, after several times of writing your feelings down you will be able to recognise what sets your mind to hurting yourself and you will feel stronger each time you don't do it. The problem with self harming is that it is a vicious cycle and you get caught up in the guilt of it all. You may discover that you have a talent for writing poetry....put your feelings into words, write about your pain don't cause it ok. Please don't continue hiding it, there are people who can help you. You are precious and you are loved....as with everyone you have a place in this world but you need to find it so you can feel better about yourself. Good luck, have faith in yourself and stay strong. xxx
2007-10-13 11:20:47 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm a self-harmer, although it's not often and only when I'm stressed or depressed. Contact the National Self Harm website. It's a registered charity and you'll find advice and support to get you though this. Below are various pages from the same website, to give you an idea of what it's like (better than just the front page). One alternative to cutting, that I've read about on the site, is gripping hold of ice cubes. The pain from that would hopefully serve the same purpose as cutting but with scaring.
Regarding your second question, you may need stitches if you badly cut again so it's best to get to A&E. This happened to me on one occasion. I rang the GP and he in turn called an ambulance. The A&E staff were excellent - they're used to dealing with people like us so don't be embarrassed about it.
2007-10-14 10:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by tattyhead65 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey!...
Sorry to hear that lifes casuing you so much trouble at the moment!...
I understand comepletely where you are coming from!...
Its almost like it comes in round!...
One minute all you can think about is self harming...when your gonna cut your self, where, how etc!...
and then all of a sudden things calm down a bit and you think you have control over the whole situation, you cut when and where you say rather than just doing it becauser there seems no other was out!...and then BOOM back to square one!...
They say its a vicious circle and thats something i can 100% back up!...
Its the most viciuos thing that has been in my life...it acts like a "friend" and your worst "enemy" at the same time!...
I understand you dont want to get help but i genuinely think that is the best option...
Yeah doctors are scary and you're worried about what goes on your medical record but surely it would be nice to break free from this?...I'd get out before it takes over completely...
How long hae you been cutting?...
Is it really true that people dont take you on in jobs if you have/have had mental health issues?...
If so im screwed!!!...
Take care and stay strong (and safe!)...
Feel free to email me if you want to talk...
Xox...
2007-10-14 02:18:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you getting any help for this? Mind website has some information that might help.
I have anxiety and depression and have been trying an alternative therapy called Emotional Freedom Technique and it has really worked for me and helped me a lot. Since using it I have been feeling a lot better. It's very good at getting rid of all kinds of negative emotions and dealing with all kinds of issues quickly. It does sound bizarre but does work. Might be something that can help you. If you type self harm in to the search engine of emofree.com you should find some articles about EFT helping people who self harm.
I've had depression, taken medication and it hasn't effected me being able to get a job.
Even though youu have anxiety you might have to try and be brave and talk to someone if you want some help.
2007-10-13 08:43:53 · answer #4 · answered by xoɟ ʍous 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
to be honest im having major probs with my cutting at the mo..
is there anything in your life that cause the lack of control?
you said you couldn't get help because you have social phobia, man that is soo like me, but about the job thing i wouldn't worry too much as most jobs don't check your records.
about the gaping cuts make sure they are clean and dry then put somthing on it then put some scar remover oil on it, like bio oil.
take care, stay strong, im here if you wanna talk email me or something Beka8@hotmail.co.uk
xoxox
2007-10-14 03:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by Ghost♂ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey i'm an ex-selfharmer. managed to completely stop for maybe 2years. and i'm back on track to graduate this year. please stop i know its hard but you will regret the scars trust me. when i was self harming i wasn't thinking about scars and stuff i just wanted to hurt my self and the result is a complete left arm covered in scars. it sucks. gym class is the worst i can't wear tanks or anything. i live in houston texas it gets real hot over here! if you don't have anyone to talk to write it down in some kind of diary. you don't need to show anybody but it can really help. hope you take my advice. i've been exactly where you are now.
2007-10-13 11:22:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off, you are not alone. Many people self injure in one way or the other. Secondly, do not wait next time if you cut yourself badly.. This requires medical attention. There is no other way of helping the cut, it will need stitching. To save yourself from embarrassment, and possibly hospitalization , you need to be very careful!
Now that you are not able to stop the cutting on your own you need to get into therapy and or counseling. Please do so before you go too far and hurt yourself very badly~!
2007-10-13 08:49:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's hard trying to stop self-harming and it's not something you can just stop instantly. It takes time to learn other coping strategies. Once you can identify why you're doing it and what you get from it then you'll find it easier to find a way to deal with it. I still struggle with urges from time to time but i've learnt distraction techniques that work for me over time and when i feel really bad then I turn to them first and see if I can delay doing anything for as long as possible. With time I've learnt how to ride through the urges by distracting myself til they go away. There is a good online forum for people who self-harm run by the National Self Harm Network where you can talk to other people and get support. Maybe you could go on there and speak to other people. Also when you're ready go to your doctor and speak to them about it, they will be able to refer you on to someone that you can speak to about your difficulties. If you want to cover up your scars there are camouflage creams such as Veil Cover Cream which you can buy online. Clean all cuts first though and allow them to heal before trying to cover them up, you can buy steri-strips from chemists to close up small wounds and bio-oil and aloe vera gel are good for scars.
Check out www.nshn.co.uk for the support forum
2007-10-14 02:24:59 · answer #8 · answered by catdog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Speaking from experience- personally- self harm was not a cry for help . I did not cut where people would see , I did not want people to know about my problems . I cut for control , as a stress relief. See- when you do something like harming or purging- something that usually your body would not do on its own- a certain kind of endorphin is released in the brain, causing a feeling of relief and calmness to wash over you. After so many times, its almost like you get addicted to that feeling of calmness you get for a few moments of self harm. Its not a cry for help, its a way to cope.
2016-05-22 06:06:20 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best way to prevent scars is to not cut. I was in the same boat as you last year and I know exactly how you feel. In order to stop you need to replace it with a healthier way of coping. Try writing or talking to someone or excercising.
2007-10-13 08:45:23 · answer #10 · answered by The Watched 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋