Coping with self harm?

Question

How can I learn to cope with my self harm problem?

I'm 15 and I cut myself atleast twice a week minimum with the blade from a pencil sharpener. (wrists / arms).

When I do it its like i'm in a trance and can't stop myself.

I know i've been told in the past by counsellors and psychiatrists that I have a serious depression problem. I've tried getting help from them but its just as if every single time we hit a brick wall.

How can I learn to cope and eventually stop?

Answer 1

It's totally unhelpful people saying things like grow up and stop attention seeking.

I've never self-harmed but during the last 7/8 years when I have suffered with depression I have had the urge to self-harm when I am very low.  It's just there, I don't really know why - my support worker reckons it's because when you are depressed you don't like yourself much, and yes your self-esteem is low when you feel low that goes hand in glove.  However, for me it didn't feel like a self-esteem issue, but more like sheer frustration that you feel the way you do - I hate feeling very low.

I'm not sure when the urges started either because I don't think I had them when I was first severely depressed.  Also the severity of the urge can vary depending on how low you are.

My coping strategy for not self-harming was to call someone and tell them that I felt like self-harming, and then having told someone I wouldn't do it.  The other thing that stopped me was the constant reminder from my Support Worker that if you start it's hard to stop, and that when you are well you will always have the scars to remind you of that really awful time.

It wasn't easy though, I can remember one time not long after I'd come out of hospital the second time, that it was a real struggle because I'd had a terribly low day, and I literally had to find all the inner strength I had to resist harming myself - I was literally wrestling with this very strong urge to do it, and I was having to mentally tell myself not to do it. Somehow I didn't cave in because I kept telling myself I hadn't done it yet and wasn't starting now and that gave me the strength.

Try different things until you find out what works for you to deter you from self-harming when you get the urges.  Also, get rid of as many of the things you can that you self-harm with.  Don't use pencils, use pens.  Don't have razors around, get someone else to look after them or to lock them in a cupboard.

I remember a chap in his twenties who self-harmed only once whilst he was in hospital, but the staff took his razors off him and he could only use them when supervised.  One evening I wondered into his room and his mirror had gone off the wall.  He said to me 'everytime you come into my room another piece of furniture will have disappeared,' and we just fell about laughing.

For suggestions on how to distract etc try this website specifically for young people http://www.selfharm.org.uk/default.aspa

Try the MIND one too  http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Bookl...

This site is another one which looks quite good http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/m...

This forum might prove useful

http://www.nshn.co.uk/index2.html

Answer 2

me personally talked to someone who lived far away.

someone who didnt know me and who let me discuss everything with them and could offer the best advice.

its the best way i think ^__^

good luck.

any help needed [e-mail] xx

Answer 3

Rippy the Razor says "Remeber kids its down the Block, Not across the street"

boo hoo you want attention so you hurt yourself. grow the h**l up

Answer 4

Oh Honey.. Please go back to the counsellors and psychiatrist...

They will give you good help, that's the only thing i can suggest.. as i am 15 aswell..

Answer 5

I know most people will say just dont do it but I say if you feel you must then don't slice yersef just take a large bore sterile needle and shallowly stab it in you cutting scars  smaller wound less blood and it hurts just as bad if not worse feel better luv good luck oh and your less likely to accedentally slit your wrist and bleed to death using the needle meathod I'll talk to you if you want just mail me.

Answer 6

Have you tried cognative behavioral therapy?

You might want to try the live chat on Self Mutilators

http://selfmutilatorsanonymous.org/

Answer 7

I'm a self harmer and I cut too.  First of all, don't think about trying to stop, you need to think of reducing frequency or severity.  You should find a distraction technique that will help.  I have too many to put on here, but you can email me, feel free to.  

Edit:Don't listen to the prat StrangeOne - self harm is NEVER about attention seeking.  He's the one that needs to GROW THE h**l UP!!!!!!

Answer 8

You need to get hold of yourslf.

Thats terrible.

Listen to your current psychiatrists , or find a new one.