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.
Nobody has been on this board very much but thought I'd give it a try anyway.
I used to cut on and off throughout high school and a little in college but I havent now in approx 5 years. However the urges have still followed me through every depressive episode and major life stressor since then even though it's been 5 years!
Currently going through a bad depression and have been fighting the urges more and more recently to where I've been craving it all day today! It's so annoying. I can keep myself distracted but it doesn't help the tense feelings I get in my arms. What can I do?
Cold water on my arms and the rubber band trick help sometimes. Last night I got weird relief from simply putting a band aid on which isn't even logical because I don't remember using band aids much so why does it help now?
Anyway, thank you if you read this.
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It's been some time since my last post...sorry. I've been going through a challenging time with the sale of my home, purchase of a condo and my adult asperger son that lives with me. I've had days where I couldn't get out of bed, days where I stayed in my pj's and days where all I managed to do was eat, drink fluids and take care of my Sweet Mia kitty. Sweet Mia came to me from a shelter about...
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If I come to DS and it won't do anything when I click "Login", I go to a post, click and then click "Leave a Reply". Then it will let me log in.Of course, sometimes DS just goes to "Error 504". Then I can't log in.
I actually created a "grounding self care kit" a while ago. Its filled with very tactile things that I find helpful.
I have things that are very tactile and scent based in my kit. Just largely to give me some physical sensation to focus on. It can distract me from wanting to cut.
I have a small bottle of body spray, and a roll on perfume from Victoria. Just spraying it on my arm, or wrist then taking a moment to really enjoy the scent can help ground me. I also have nice feeling/smelling lotion that I will put on the parts of my self I want to cut. Kinda participating in some self care .
I've found writing on myself to be very helpful. I am using gel pens/markers of various colors to write poems/quotes/sayings on my arms/legs.
There was a period of time when things were really bad that I also utilized those fake tatoos--the kind you put hot water on and press to your skin. I would put those where I wanted to cut, and it REALLY helped. I was able to find some at Walmart, and they had cool designs--like stars--and even some saying/quotes/words that helped me.
I know it can be so difficult-- Especially when you want immediate releif. But so far these things have helped me. I hope something i have said may help you as well.
Hang in there. This is and can be difficult, but I have faith in you.
Best To You!!