I can't stop self-harming, what should I do?

Question

I keep giving myself bruises all over my body but mostly on my arms. I used to cut a while ago but that left scars, so I started bruising myself instead. How can I stop?

I see a psychiatrist and he's put me on different medications to 'try' for my OCD and Bipolar Disorder which are just making my life like a roller coaster at the minute. Self-harm is the only way I can cope. I haven't told him that I do it. I'm worried someone is going to see the bruises... what should I do to stop?

Answer 1

Try to get a punching bag. I have hit myself alot of times and it sucks. I also was thought to have bipolar disorder and probably do but id prefer to avoid it and stick to taking my SSRIs. The ups are good and the downs are bad, it sucks they dont know whats wrong with me, but just try to control your anger. Cutting is alot worse than bruising, and no bruises cause nothing long term. Just hit the meaty spots so you dont break anything. Try like a punching bag though, try working out. Working out has saved me many times.  

Answer 2

I am guessing you have the "high" of bipolar. You enjoy getting hurt. oNE OF MY friend has the same he uses multi -task. since you have so much energy use it for something good. Bipolar Disorder is your greatest gift and weakness.

PS: Always remember that there are normal and mentally healthy people that are no better than you.

Answer 3

You've asked a subsequent question but I can't get the system to accept it (they're taking a breather) but don't want to lose it so am putting it on this.

It's up to you - you have a lot on your plate, things are bloody awful

you could fight with yourself and persuade yourself to commit suicide or you could start fighting FOR yourself. You are still young.

People do recover from these conditions or learn to live with them. I'm not going to gloss over things and pretend it will be plain sailing - it won't be easy and it will probably be a struggle for the rest of your life. But once you have started to give yourself a chance it will be easier - hold on to and cherish your successes. Get help/friends where you can - I know even that is not easy but it can be done.

If your parents are abusive you don't have to stay there - get help from social services to find alternative accomodation.

So it won't be easy, you will struggle, but you CAN do it. Always remember there will be hundreds of people out there rooting for you and every so often you will manage to meet one of them. Recognise them, they will give you a leg up on your journey, accept their help, and carry on to your goal. Good Luck

Answer 4

One good way to stop is by asking some-one else to do it for you.

Seriously - would it be easier or not if a friend were to harm you in this way? I do hope that you do know some people out there (not the therapist) who can talk about hurting you, and share their experiences. Maybe you could offer to hurt them as well as yourself?

As for bruises - the usual rule is that if they fade within 24 hours then you have not been hit hard enough, and if they are still there for more than 36 hours you have been hit too hard. You can tell by the colours that long term bruises go through, how hard to hit next time.

A good friend who would hurt you - might like to take it up as a hobby. Then they would like to see it continue into the long term. The only way that could happen is for them to regulate the beatings. Not too often or too infrequent.

This then, would anchor you, and stop your bi-polar swings. They would not be allowed! Neither would hurting yourself without your friend present. That would not be allowed either, as it would rob them of the fun of inflicting pain.

So the long term effects would be to anchor you and stop the bi-polar swings, and far more effective than a therapist.

Yes, it might hurt, - However that is what you wanted.

Answer 5

You need to tell your psychiatrist that you are having large mood swings and that you are now bruising yourself as it could lead to something more serious.

Answer 6

You need to tell your doctor everything! It is the only way they can give you the right medication and the dosage. Please...please talk to your doctor!

Answer 7

First of all your doctor needs to know to what degree your illness is taking you. When you hide things from your doctor you are cheating yourself of good medical advise and treatment.

Mean while tell yourself  "I can do something for one day that I can't do for a life time. I can resist self harm today".

Distract yourself with a movie or a walk or exercise. Btw exercise raises your endorphins, which are the chemicals that make you happy and content.

I can't tell you not to take your meds. but you can call the doctor and ask if you should stop them until your appt. only you have to say what is going on.

And finally God is powerful and answers prayer, ask for the power to call the doctor and give him the whole truth.

Answer 8

I used to also cut. I haven't ever heard of anyone dying from bruising, but that doesn't mean much. Sounds like you switched addictions from cutting to bruising. I would seek counseling atleast onc"e a week. It helped me. You get to talk out your problems instead of acting out your probs. I also have experienced experimentation from my old shrink. It was always, "try this pill and see if it works." I am sure you probably tried most of the drugs and had little success. I feel talk therapy was the best for me in combination with a good anti-depressant. I hope all works out for you. take care.

Answer 9

Honey, if you are already seeing a psychiatrist, you have to tell him what you're doing. It's the only way he'll know how to properly help you. You are in pain and turmoil, and I feel for you. You want the pain to go away so you self harm. Talk to the psychiatrist. Please. About long term effects of bruising, I don't have an answer to that.

Answer 10

Please tell your doctor. Also, this was my answer to your other question that was deleted:

TO BE!

If you are strong enough to compose yourself to write this question, I believe you are strong enough to make it through life. Life is a journey, not a destination - with it will come ups and downs, regardless of your condition.

I'm sure there are plenty of people who care about you - even if you don't know it or see it.

Don't lose faith.

I agree with the person who said you are quite eloquent. Writing may possibly help you. It may also help your therapist have some kind of insight aside from the things you say -- or just a private outlet for yourself.

Your life is a gift... don't give up.

“The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” -Ben Okri

feel free to email me if you want to chat!

Answer 11

I'm not sure if bruising has long term effects but it's not good for you mentally or physically. You're causing trauma to your body, which is never a good thing.

I used to cut when I was a teenager and I found that writing and exercise helped me cope a lot better. Oh, and breaking stuff lol. Whenever I felt the urge to self harm, I'd go for a long walk or write down everything that I was feeling. I used to go to junk stores or anywhere that I could find cheap crockery or glasses and I'd just smash them in my backyard to release my tension or anger. I'm not sure if that's a very sane way of dealing with it, but it stopped me from hurting myself.

I hope your medications work out soon. I know they're such a ***** to deal with. Good luck!

Answer 12

Your life is a mess at the moment isn't it. You self-harm because of the self-loathing and as a release to the emotions of hate you hold inside you which no-one else seems to understand. You obviously don't trust your psychiatrist if you can't tell him about this - which is not a basis in which to have a good working relationship now is it? I note the word 'try' so you don't have much faith in the medication either! To stop you need to address the issues that are troubling you and there are no quick fixes. Can you change your psychiatrist for someone else you are happy and feel SAFE to talk to IN DEPTH. other than that maybe a hypnotherapist might be more useful to you - just make sure that he/she is a member of an accredited body. Long term effects of bruising? it very much depends upon where the bruising is, how excessive and how often but, as with all self-harming, its not good and there is the chance of causing serious harm to yourself. You need to talk to someone you can trust.