How have you dealt with self harm?

Question

I've been self harming since I was 14. I am now 19.

I cut, punch, and hit myself.

The other day I was so angry and upset I cut myself all down my arms until they were bleeding quite badly and slapped myself so hard on both sides of my face repeatedly that I gave myself two black eyes and a bruise on my forehead.

I know this is completely irrational. I don't do it to "relieve" myself necessarily, but to punish myself for things that happen that I have no more control over, or can't control more.

I've been trying to stop, but when I see red there's nothing that helps. I don't consider things like holding ice cubes or snapping my wrist with a hair band or anything like that. It's not as severe as I want it to be and I'm not in a rational state to even consider doing something else when I know "what works".

I would appreciate answers from people that are either informed about what I am talking about or have been there themselves, or had similar experiences with self harm. Don't even bother if you have something pathetic and immature to say about it because you have no idea what you're talking about.

Just for reference, I am getting help. I have depression and anxiety disorder. I'm on antidepressants, I'm seeing a GP, psychologist, psychiatrist and kineisiologist.

Thanks.

Answer 1

i started that when i was 13 and got over it in 7 months.

i was not open with my doctor but i was with a friend.

she helped my get over it

i know how you feel when you say you need more and you like seeing the red.

i eventually talked to my doctor, got my meds changed, went to a "controlled environment" psych ward, and stopped.

The best things were getting the med change and the psych ward.

at the psych ward/ hospital you wear your problems on your outside,

and share your feelings,

and you make friends who are lets face it are pretty f***ed up.

but thats why you go,

and the activities are helpful too.

Please try going for a week,

or pick up a activity and share feeling w/ your doctor and get into chat rooms w/ people who self-harm.

Sharing stuff like that really helps,

and just having a friend cures.

hope everything works out!

also people don't judge you there so its pretty loving!

Answer 2

Seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist takes time to make changes. It doesn't happen over night and you have to commit to it. When things were out of hand and in crisis I'd get hospitalised. It's not what you think you want or need, but it does remove you from your home environment and any stresses. You can't hide or pretend in hospital and it is easier to think about what you feel/what you are doing/ and to communicate to people who understand. It's a space and takes the 'pressure off'.

You need pain for a reason - you know that, until you find another strategy or solution you need to keep exploring with your psychologist.

Best of luck

Answer 3

i have to say your problem is very bad in order to help your self there are a couple of things you have to do i don't know if you tell your psychologist that you still cut your self if you don't you need to tell them or talk to someone also sounds like your med need to be changed or up.Also when you fell like hurting your self do stuff to get your mind off it.If you fell like cutting they should have a number you can call to talk to someone

Answer 4

A much safer alternative... Scream into a wet cloth. Scream until your dizzy. When that is over you feel so much better.

Answer 5

I agree with the poster who suggested going to a psych ward.  In the mean time, maybe you could try breaking something, ripping up clothing, etc, to help relieve some of the tension...

Answer 6

I don't know, I went through something similar a few years back. The issue at hand is not WHAT you are doing, it is more like WHY. You really need to evaluate what makes you feel like this is the only way to do things, when you know you are punishing yourself for things outside your control. Try to find a more positive outlet. Maybe you should even try a anti-anxiety medication rather than only anti-depressants. I don't know what to say but I can tell you it wont stop until you find out what is behind it and resolve that problem. I can't even really tell you how I solved it because I am still not entirely over it and I just turned that behavior into other compulsive behavior such as cleaning, I guess you could try that though. It's less self-destructive. I don't know, you need something to take out your frustration whatever that may be,

Answer 7

There is not much i can really tell you, i don't know what all to do in helping with this tho. try not to get so worked up, calm down and think about the situation first, things cant get so bad that you over react that bad, if something goes wrong think of a positive thing, for instance, if you get dumped by a boy/girl, hey you have more time for yourself? just try to look on the bright side and evaluate the situation before reacting? don't listen to any @$$hole that will tell you your crazy cause they don't understand