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 do self harm in various ways and then feel so bad afterwards . I do it mostly to punish myself for being a bad parent and the guilt I have for things my kids do I feel is my fault. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions of what to try to distract when I feel the need to self harm. It hurts so much
Please do not be so hard on yourself. Children have minds of their own and need a lot of attention and understanding. They don’t understand what it takes to support and nurture them. I too self-harm when my PTSD symptoms are tough because my emotions are numb. So I am unable to cry or laugh or express emotion because of emotional abuse and other trauma I have been through. My doctor has recommended that I journal and record my emotions. But this often is not enough. Another member here on DS recommended that I try to connect my emotion or situation with music by finding songs with words that relate to how I am feeling as opposed to self harm and that has helped some as looking for songs has helped distract me. I find that distraction works best for me along with support from people here on DS. I also have friends but most people who don’t suffer in the way that we do, do not understand and often withdraw as they are disturbed by our problems or do not know how to support us. My husband included. It took my psychologist talking to him before he even remotely understood what I was going through and he still really doesn’t get it. Self harm really doesn’t help the situation and can be unhealthy as well as dangerous. You might consider seeing a therapist if you don’t have one. They can help you understand your feelings and give you coping strategies. You can also call/text the suicide prevention line if you have strong urges to self-harm. They are not just there for suicide prevention, but for self-harm, depression, anxiety and other symptoms as well. They have therapists on duty and have resources as well. I hope that you find help and peace.