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.
I'm 35 and struggle with self harm. It wasn't something I had ever done or thought of until almost a year ago and it landed me in the mental hospital for a week. At first when I got released I would make jokes about it. It's almost like I wasn't taking it very serious. I suffer from a number of different things but I've actually done pretty good......up until about a week ago when my separation anxiety went through the roof. I wanted to cut, badly! But about the time I got the razor blade my boyfriend FaceTimed me. He had no idea I was getting ready to cut and he's been going through a lot. I didn't want to add to that so I answered the phone and said I'd cut after we got done talking. He actually talked to me until I feel asleep. I felt better until the next evening and I was home alone again. I've been fighting the urge since then to cut but it's getting harder to fight!
If you ever want to talk, please feel free to PM me. I know how horribly isolating and difficult struggling against cutting can be.
On a pervious post of mine you asked me if I would share my "self care kit". I wanted to do so here, in hopes it may help you.
I have things that are very tactile and scent based in my kit. Just largely to give me some physical sensation to focus on.
I have a small bottle of body spray, and a roll on perfume from Victoria secrect that I got for Xmas. 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--usually arms.
I also invested in a small, fuzzy stuffed animal. Like REALLY soft and fuzzy. Actually found it in the baby section of walmart. I want to get more things--like maybe a fake rose, or something that is just pretty to look at--like something that has glitter, or a picture of a calming place--a post card or something.
I try to keep things fairly small and compact so I can carry them with me. But im thinking that maybe making two kits-a small one i take with me and a big one for use at home--would probably be more beneficial. (I've also put some of my self care kit in a pretty bag--one with pleasant colors. It is just another sensory thing to help me.)
I've also been trying to do other things to distract myself recently--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 was actually looking online and saw something called INKBOX. It seems you can buy fake tattoos that last up to two weeks, and they have sayings like "love yourself" or even fun designs like trees, mountains or just cool looking squiggles.
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.
Thank you so much for sharing with me, and for your kind words!
My inbox is always as well. Message me anytime. Having people who know and understand is so important.
Thank you again!
Thank you so much!
So when you are feeling low just post on here pm me anytime we are all friends.
Thank you so much!