Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

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neocortex27
neocortex27
This is my first post here. It's a bit odd to talk about it openly since the only one I ever told was my counsellor, and she couldn't help me. I managed to mostly get it under control by myself and now I'm trying to stop completely.

I started self-harming when I was seven because of my PTSD, mostly to ground myself douring or after a flashback or as a vent for my emotions.

I used to bruise myself or deliberately dislocate joints and sometimes I stuck needles under my finger- or toenails. Also, I pick on my scabs.

By now I haven't (intentionally!) dislocated anything or used the needles for more than two years (yay), but even though rarely, I still bruise myself. The thing with picking scabs is a bit of a challenge though, since I sometimes don't even notice anymore that I'm doing it until I see the blood on my fingers.

Do you have any advice?

I've already gone a long way and I know now that eventually I'll be able to stop, but it's still a work in progress.
ArtistMWS
ArtistMWS
Welcome to the group & congrats on being 2 yrs free of the majority of the self-harm; that's a huge accomplishment and you're right to be proud. For scabs, i like to use the "out of sight, out of mind" approach so why not get a band-aid and put it over the scab until it's completely healed. You're less likely to pick at it thru the band-aid. You can also try keeping your hands busy as much as possible; maybe flick a pen/pencil in your hand or stretch a rubber band.
Precious97
Precious97
Welcome aboard and may I add my congrats. I hope you find the kind of support you need here. I myself am a cutter and there's lots of those here.
butterfly000
butterfly000
Well this a good place to be understood for sure. But you really need to find a counsellor that can help you. Have you healed from your PTSD or are you stuck in the nightmare of reliving still? This is your major concern. As until you deal with your PTSD you really cant deal with your self harm. As from the sounds of things your PTSD is triggered and you then harm from the trigger to deal with the PTSD trigger...
Once you deal with your PTSD it will be easier to deal with your self harm.
neocortex27
neocortex27
I was diagnosed with PTSD at a really young age, so I don't really know what it's like to live without it. But while it's often quite inconvenient I've learned to live with it pretty well. I know my triggers and how to avoid them, so it has gotten much better.

Unfortunately I was never in a good place to get myself help from anyone, what little experience with therapy I have is negative and I also have massive trust issues. My councellor tried to find me an actual psychotherapist but it never worked for me. She's the only one I'd even consider opening up to. Maybe.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice!
butterfly000
butterfly000
dont give up on finding a councellor or therapist that you can open up to.. I understand the trust issue very well. I have PTSD as well and I thought for years I had it under control... but pushing and avoiding only goes so far until one day it just breaks you have to deal with it, and it does get worse before it gets better.
It takes time to heal it does not happen over night, but if you take the time to find someone that you can build that trust with and deal with your PTSD then you will find alot out about why you do certain thing the way you do, and you will be able to deal with your self harm in a healthy way. vs this punishment that you keep doing... stay strong and dont give up!