Dealing with depression?

Question

As I said in my other questions, I am suffering from depression. To refresh your memory, I will explain it again.
I scartch my shoulder and back really hard so it bleeds. Im normally not really bad... but lately, I have been doing it a lot. I scratched it to the point of bleeding four times this week. And I did it a few minor scratches every day. What are some suggestions for dealing with this?
I probably should add that most of the time I do it because I am realllyyy angry and I have to hurt something. Or I need to punish myself, I guess. Or I am just really depressed.
So how do I deal with this? What should I do?

Answer 1

This sounds like obsessive-compulsive behavior, although you could also be depressed. Doing the behavior usually calms down your mind, but you do need to talk to someone about this and get some help. Medication is the quickest way to deal with OCD, and talking to a therapist to get at the root of your issues would also be good. Can you speak to your school counselor and/or your parents? Please do, as treatment is going to help you a lot. Today with all the staph bacteria around, you could easily get infected and that would really be bad.

Answer 2

A couple of ways to look at it.

It could be chemical imbalance, where certain neurotransmitters are not in their effective ranges, so things are not working as they should. The pain felt can sometimes feel as a release or even pleasurable. For example, there are some people that liked to be choked during sex. Not only is it a painful experience, but it also cuts off oxygen to the brain. Both pain and low oxygen are in concert with a brain that is not firing at a high enough level, yet it is the only way these people can climax.

You can get your doctor to order test from Metametrix or Neuroscience Labs.

Another way to look at it is displacement/projection of pain. You would rather deal with physical pain that the emotional. While the act of cutting may not really feel good, it may relax you more than dealing with the emotional stress. Some people take it out on others, some pull their hair out, some cut. You may need to redirect your focus and work on healthier coping mechanisms.

Here are some links to more info on depression and what might be going on upstairs.

Answer 3

You have the same problem as those who are "cutters" so their answers are your answers.

This is NOT standard depression and is actually more related to bulimia. Besides the standard answers .. you can find them .. etc.

CAN (WILL) you change your venue?

take some walks? maybe take a walk or a run when the urge to scratch hits you? or an orgasm or call a friend?

something different..! get out of the rut!

something to break the pattern. some like the burn from running or swimming or biking and as long as you are not burning out your knees .. why not.

for example after work or school you can exercise till you drop and then go to bed. after awhile your whole body will toughen up and usually feel better. And many odd problems just go away.

but it also will take your mind off what is bothering you. and it might give you time to find a solution to what is bothering you.

You also need to identify and solve what is making you really angry.

Maybe YOU can change .. and accept it better for now since you cannot change it now. Maybe you can MAKE a change .. and then it won't be there.

good luck!!!!!

Answer 4

That's not just depression, that's self-harm.

First, have you been to the doctor about it? If so, are you on any medication or has any form of therapy been offered? CBT - cognitive behavioural therapy can be a 'short fix' in terms of immediate problems, but long-term, psychotherapy of some sort is best.

If you are trying to cause yourself pain, then you undoubtedly have a deep cause that needs looking at and need your self-esteem raised.
However, you may have a genuine physical cause for the scratching - get your back looked at.

Drugs and talking can help. Writing stuff down can, too and exercise, fresh air, oily fish and doing things you enjoy (esp a creative outlet I think) can keep you occupied and happ(ier)y.

I've not seen your other questions by the way.

Answer 5

When you get really upset and feel like you should punish yourself, go for a walk, or do 20 sit ups. We all know excercise sucks and we don't feel like doing it, so making yourself do it would feel like punishment. But at the same time studies have shown that exercise can be more effective at treating depression than medication. So while you feel like youre punishing yourself, you'll really be helping yourself. Hang in there I suffered from depression for years, I got so bad I didn't leave the house for 2 months, it gets better, and it will go away, I feel great now, and actually enjoy life, you'll make it, just learn to redirect your anger. If you need to inflict physical pain on your self, do sit ups, by the time you get to 25 it hurts so bad you forgot what you were mad about. good luck

Answer 6

This may not help you at all, but when I feel depression coming on, I take my cd player and put on happy music and go sit in the sunshine. I read that lack of sunshine can be a factor in depression, and I can feel myself coming "back" when I am in the sunlight.
I listen and sing along when I know the words and sometimes I dance in the back yard until I find myself having good positive happy feelings and thoughts. I have an especially good CD I bought off of TV which is contemporary Christian praise and worship music. I refuse to take drugs for the depression.....(which I am not speaking for anyone else, just myself) I say whatever works...But this works wonders for me. It usually begins to lift off of me within 30 minutes.
I also practice forgiveness. I will myself to forgive everyone I ever perceived to have hurt me. If thoughts try to rush in to have negative consequences about someone, I just give that person the "right" to think and act in their own way, and release them to be the person they are, not try to mold them into an image I would like them to be. I found when I accept people the way they are, it takes so much frustration out of me when I no longer feel the need to "change" them.
And I also practice thankfulness. If I begin to really list the reasons I have to be thankful and blessed, I find it hard to stay depressed.

Answer 7

When you get nervous you look for a way out. Ever heard of Fight or Flight? This scratching your self has become a answer for your self to deal with the anxity. It is hard to deal with something like this beleive me, but the only answer is to stop! It will get easy every time you dont do it. If you are honest abotu your question go talk to a doctor. nobody will know unless you tell someone. Life is great you just have to try to see that. good luck.

Answer 8

well you need to ask yourself when did you first notice this feeling then ask yourself what happened at that time to upset you but you need not hurt yourself because the problem is still there take time for yourself get away go to a friends or family members home out of town and try to forget the things that bother you and also keep looking up remember the sky is an endless posibility you look down all you see is the ground

Answer 9

There are wondserful antidepressants like Zoloft that can help you a great deal. There is no reason to suffer so much with all these medications. You seem to have a great deal insight into your problem, which will make eit much easier to deal with. You will need a prescription, of course, so a visit to your doctor is necessary.

Answer 10

are you seeing a therapist or a counselor?
if you aren't, maybe you should start.

what you need to do is find a different way of letting your emotions out.. like maybe writing down what you're feeling, telling someone that will understand, or my personal favorite..punching a pillow. i suffered from depression numerous times...and the first thing i did was write down what i was feeling. it took a while before i told my dad how i was feeling, but once i got it off my chest, i felt a whole lot better.

i'll put you in my prayers!