Help please! How can I stop self-harming?

Question

I need advice on what to do when I feel the need to self-harm to stop me doing this!

Answer 1

I used to do this years ago, I stopped gradually and it took a long long time. The fact you want to stop is a good sign. Try talking to someone you trust and sharing how you feel, this can help to dampen the need to cut. Go for a walk, scream, cry, put on some music, do something physical. Believe in yourself and you will get better in time. Good luck

Answer 2

ideally you need professional help from a doc, counsellor or psychiatrist. but in the meantime you need to find an alternative to cutting:

squeeze an ice cube in your hand
draw ice across the skin you would normally cut
draw on yourself with red pen/paint/food colouring (make the paint watery and you can let it drip like real blood)
snap an elastic band against your wrist (reeaaly hurts, but doesn't scar like cutting)
draw a pic of what you would cut (e.g an arm) and cut it/tear it to itty bitty pieces
if you are a burner, do the same, but burn the paper instead of cutting it (be careful to do this in a non-flammable place!)
make/buy a rag doll and draw on it with washable red pen, then wash it ready for the next time
make/buy a rag doll, cut it, then stitch up its 'wounds' (careful with the needle!) (this is even better if you fill the doll with red sand/beads, so that it looks like it bleeds.)
punch/kick/throw/bite a pillow
get a strong beanbag/sand-filled bag and squeeze it, or throw it against a wall
draw a picture of how you feel - really dramatic, emotional pics
SCREEEEAAAAM! (out loud, or into a pillow)
write a poem/song
write a story
write a list of all your feelings
have an instrument? play it, make up some lyrics and do the backing music
read a book
put on some music really loud and dance/mosh/headbang to it in a maniacal way (don't worry about looking stupid, if it helps, that's all that matters :) )
go for a run, and pound the ground with your feet, stomp out all that emotion
sing
CRY it can make you feel better!
Have a hot, steamy, bubbly bath - just make sure it is not so hot that you burn yourself, and make sure there are NO RAZORS! perhaps have relaxing background music...
go to sleep, calms you down. :) (i have done this before!)
make finger puppets
cuddle a teddy bear
play with/cuddle a pet
draw a pic of your dream room/chair whatever - just do some designing!
watch a film
watch tv

etc etc etc

there are loads of alternatives, though i know none feel as good as the real thing. you just need to find an alternative that works for you.

to try and actually stop, set yourself a small number of days to go without cutting, then when you reach that goal, treat yourself (no cutting!) then set a longer goal, treat yourself and so on, until you stop.

Good luck hun (((((HUGS)))))
it will be hard, i tried and failed to stop, and am still cutting atm, but many other people have proved that it is possible to stop, especially with professional help. so just keep at it.
feel free to email me if you ever want to.
:)

Answer 3

writing down what you feel helps... Talking to a close friend or someone who can be supportive will help.
Get out of the environment, and go for a fast walk, or be with people. You will not want to self harm if you are around others because it is usually done privately. Don't be alone when the triggers are at their worst.

Answer 4

it is hard to give advice on what to do really.
people say exercise and doing things to take your mind off it and not been alone and igving yourself the time to self harm.
the stopping comes from within it really does you need to battle the need to self harm.
it might help you to figure out why you do it (you probably all ready know) then deal with that then when you have sorted out the cause begin to work on the effects (self harm)
it is difficult to stop self harm when the thing which makes you do it is stil there.
Have a look at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_o0eYgaTDE

Take care
xxx

Answer 5

See a counciular. Do u live in the U.K ( it's in the U.S as well) speak to a samaritine, or even try a doctor. If u don't talk to a professional it'll take u longer to figuire out why. Is there a friend u can mybe talk to. If not skip that and i suggest u try out my first three suggested ppl.

Answer 6

What r u doing? Cutting, Pulling, Bulemic?? I'm a puller myself. I try and exercise when I get that feeling like I have to start pulling. And take a few deep breathes or I just scream at the top of my lungs as long as no one is around.

Answer 7

you need to talk to someone. it's a illness, your not alone. please find someone you can talk to. a family member a friend,anyone. an hey ur doing well, u've asked for help thats brill. i'm here if you want to talk. [e-mail]

Answer 8

1800 dont cut and i am here as support [e-mail]