What can you do to stop self injury?

Question

I'm 13 years old and I have been cutting, beating, and burning myself for almost two years now. I don't like cutting for the blood, and I don't like beating for the bruising, and i don't like burning for the scabs. I guess what i look for is either the pain or the scars. I was diagnosed with dysymia (mild form of mature long-term depression) four monthes ago, and have since been taking medication for it. Even though I'm not depressed anymore, I still have the urge to cut, bruise, and burn just for the heck of it. I don't know whats WRONG WITH ME. I've alreay tried therapy...for as long as i can remember...no help!

People stare at me and talk about me in school and summer school. My friends are confused and don't know how to help me.

I feel like a tangled up mess!

Is There anything i can do?

Answer 1

Honest Truth: Therapists dont' help. They just find a way to make a long conversation about your "problems" and they steal your money. Music is a big influence on that kind of stuff believe it or not. If you're depressed / have mental problems (which isn't a big issue, with all the things doctors diagnose these days about 99/100 people have some type of mental disability) If you listen to that depressing music change it up, stop listening to that type of stuff. Find some hobbies, I just don't think therapists help AT ALL. It's just a way of people manipulating their social skills to make you think they know who you are.

Answer 2

first who cares about other people?

If they want to look at something, they can look at themselves.

sounds weired, i no, but read.

find a book you like.  Romance, Mistery, Fairy tale, Dirty... anything!

i was a self injurer starting at 12.  I'm not 14 and havent cut myself for a year.

in books i feel like i can leave my life, and my problems and be someone else, if its for 5 minutes before school, or 5 hours afterward.

Goodluck!

Answer 3

find a cool hobby to keep ur mind off things, if i get depressed or nything, i play my guitar!

Good Luck! hope i helped a little!

Answer 4

Cutting is a VERY addictive thing.There is nothing wrong with you. I know it's easier said than done but try your best to ignore those idiots who don't realize that you are a person. Some things for distracting are, tearing up paper, drawing on yourself with a red marker, writing, listening to music. There are so many things that can be done. There is a website that I have found very helpful in my recovery ( I am a cutter). They have a big list of distractions and forums where you wont get idiots giving you bad advice but instead you get advice form people who have either been where you are or still are where you are... The website is Recoveryourlife.com  Good luck hun.....

Answer 5

try doing things like playing a sport or an instrument or get a nice boyfriend

Answer 6

Try stretching before exercise and find some cool hobbies to keep your mind off the craziness of life

Answer 7

Well, although you're not depressed, it sounds like your addicted to the self injury.  When you fell the urge to cut and burn yourself, try to replace that urge with something else.  Something you enjoy. In time, you wont fell the urge for self injury, and continue to take the medication for depression.

Answer 8

Don't you have parents?

Hunny please see a psychologist

Answer 9

Its okay. I have been through this. I have cut myself before. I wanted to see the scars so I can look back on my past and remember who I was. I dont know your situation but feel free to email me or we can talk on aim. im 15 btw

May God bless you

Answer 10

hang out with your friends allot and join a bunch of activities like sports and clubs i know it sounds retarded but once you find something you really like and enjoy doing you might stop I'm so sorry i hope you get better oh try writing and try making goals like in school or sports if you ever need someone you can talk to you can email me

Answer 11

well first of all... if you want to live, i would suggest stop.

if theres nothing your depressed about then theres no reason to do it. try to get your mind thinking about something else. go on the computer... read... take a walk. do something besides just sitting there. cuz if you just sit there... your more likly to think about all the depressing things.

and if something depressing does come up... take it out on something else, like a pillow =]. or just listen to music and put it up realllly loud.

you could always pray and ask for help.

good luck =]

Answer 12

Try to find some people who are just like you.. I used to cut, just a little, too, but I thought deep and hard and told myself to stop. Although, I wasn't diagnosed with depression.. but in any case, just find some positive influences and get into a fun activity or something (photography is my huge one).

Answer 13

Idea:

try getting a big piece of wood and hitting that!

or get a big thing you can tear up when your angry

i feel like that sometimes, and i go outside, and start breaking sticks and hitting trees

Answer 14

Not many people on here are experts, but if therapy doesn't work, you might have to just check yourself into a hospital. As terrible and dramatic as that may sound, its the safest (better safe then sorry, right?).

Or i could be completely off. you might just be a thrill seeker, but hurting yourself is the only thing you've discovered. Its expensive, but try taking up a sport like base jumping or sky diving.

Answer 15

get a hobby play sports or sumthing

Answer 16

I would try a different counselor...Therapy is the best tool you can use in your situation... and stay busy...learn guitar or something...get your mind off of it....music is a great release. Write Poetry. it will be OKAY.  

Answer 17

Wear rubber bands.

This seriously works, because I know some girls who have used it.

You where rubber bands and whenever you feel the urge to cut, you snap the rubber band on your skin to provide pain. Eventually after a while you just wont be interested in receiving pain. And you slowly lose the rubber bands.

Answer 18

Wingz,There is something you aren't telling us,Babe.  What led this on?  Why are you doing this to yourself?  Wingz,I want to help you,But first you need to open up to us.  We all want to help you.  What's wrong with you is that I feel you have little respect for your looks.  Or why would you want to cut,Beat,Or burn yourself the way you do.  You are 13 years old,My dear.  You are still young,You're just a confused teen right now.  What you need is to stop hurting yourself.  There are many of people who love you and care about you.  I'm one of these lucky people.  Wingz,You may not know me,But I'd like to fix that if I may. ;)  My name is David and it is an honor to meet you tonight.  What caused this depression?  Honey,I don't like to see anybody so sad,So depressed.  I want to help you,I really do.  You need to let me know what I can do.  I feel helpless,I feel hopeless.  Wingz,You have your whole life ahead of you.  What you need is a boyfriend to love you like I want to.  He can take your pain away.  I will help as well.  Anytime you feel confused or depressed,I want you to write me,Okay?  I'll help to cheer you up,I will help to take that pain away.  Babe,I must split.  I'm terribly sorry bout this. :(  You try and have a goodnight,Wingz.  God bless you.  Bye for now.

Answer 19

you are an emo child my deer but as the holy bible states u will always be accepted by god if not betray the 10 commandments u should visit your Church and talk with your preset about your troubling time right now u are young my child very young.

Answer 20

You can go to all the therapists in the world, attend all the support groups possible but you will not recover from this until you're ready to help yourself. Learn to tell yourself no when you feel the urge. After awhile it gets easier to just not hurt yourself and one day you won't even want to. Trust me, I've been there and I didn't have a therapist or support group. Actually, no one knew about it.

Answer 21

psychiatrist

Answer 22

I know some friends of mine were cutters. most of what I've learned cutters and self mutilators have borderline personality disorders. may be you need a second option. look up psychology stuff on line, what is your home life like, a lot comes from your mom and dad, your up bringing what to do about it, to stop it? I donno

Answer 23

Honey this is a serious problem, and you may not be able to fix it on your own. Try this hotline: 1-800-dontcut (it's free, and won't show on your parents' phone bill, if you're concerned) Probably my best advice to you, is to talk to a responsible adult. A guidance counselor at your school, or ask your parents to help you seek out a second professional opinion. It's important that you act quickly, love, before you really hurt yourself. It's great that you have an open line of communication with your family and friends, tell them honestly that you need their help; you'll be impressed how well they rise to the occasion. Best of luck, and God Bless.

Answer 24

If you self-injure to…Deal with anger that you cannot express openly, try working through those feelings by doing something different – running, dancing fast, screaming, punching a pillow, throwing something, ripping something apart. If you hurt yourself in order to…Feel something when you feel numb inside, hold ice cubes in one hand and try to crush them, hold a package of frozen food, take a very cold shower, chew something with a very strong taste (like chili peppers, raw ginger root, or a grapefruit peel), wear an elastic rubber band around your wrist and snap it (in moderation to avoid bruising) when you feel like hurting yourself If you inflict physical pain to…Calm yourself, try taking a bubble bath, doing deep breathing, writing in a journal, drawing, or doing some yoga. If you self-mutilate to…See blood, try drawing a red ink line where you would usually cut yourself, in combination with the other suggestions above  

Answer 25

  Yea, seek a psychiatrist and talk with them. I'm willing to bet that something traumatic happened to you and thats what brought on the self abuse. Seek help before things get to far.

Answer 26

Baby Girl,

Love yourself... you are a beautiful girl... inside and out... read "I know why the caged bird sings" by Maya Angelo... it will change your life... allow yourself to love yourself... dream, believe, soar and achieve!

Answer 27

Just stop. I'm not really sure what to tell you. This girl in my grade cuts herself and it's really weird. Just think of how bad it looks and how much it hurts and just to try to stop I guess. Seriously, it's really weird. Good luck!

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