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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Mental Health
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I messed up

idkwtfimdoing
idkwtfimdoing

I had been doing so well with avoiding self-harm. I started writing and asking for help and setting boundaries. It all worked wonderfully until the past week or so. I have cut 3 times in a week, actually three days in a row. And last night it was way too deep. Deeper than I meant to go. I had to get stitches because I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. So whatever relief I was trying to get from cutting was washed away by the guilt and anxiety of having to seek medical help. Yet those feelings somehow make me want to cut again. I don't know what to do. I still have 6 more days until therapy. Does anyone have any less dangerous, or taboo, coping mechanisms that I can try out? I don't want to keep falling down this spiral.

Tashio2x
Tashio2x
Hold a piece of ice in a face cloth and then hold the ice where you want to cut. The cold is sharp and numbing and it is a physical sensation and I think that is why it helps me more than just other distractions. It doesn't work every time for me but it works a lot at helping the urge pass and maybe it would hopefully help you? *hugs* stay strong, you're not alone
idkwtfimdoing
idkwtfimdoing
That’s a good idea. I have heard of doing that before from my therapist, but never tried it. I am glad to have some first hand testimony
Secouya
Secouya
Hi I am new to this group. Ice is a good idea. My therapist suggested a red marker, but it doesn’t do much for me. When I get the urge I just try to stay busy and journal to distract myself.
EllaEscribe
EllaEscribe
Pray. I have found in my hardest, loneliest times when I really couldn't even look at myself, talking to God really helped me move past that. you are not alone... and you are SO loved!! Praying for you and sending HUGS!
honeyteatime
honeyteatime
The ice thing that others have suggested helps me a lot (when I remember to do it lol). My therapist has suggested actually holding ice onto my forehead because it totally resets your senses. And remember that you are healing. Try not to feel guilty for falling back into old patterns -- it happens to everyone, and it's just another step on your healing journey.
JudicatorPrime
JudicatorPrime
Not sure if this would help, but I would get a red pen or marker and write on the area I wanted to cut. Sometimes I'd just draw red lines, other times I'd try to write something encouraging, a favorite quote or poem, or just the words "I will get through this," or "I am a good person," or whatever the opposite of the negative feeling was. Sometimes I'd try to be as artistic as possible, just to kind of distract myself, and give me something other than the red ink to focus on. Don't know if that helps, but it kept me from cutting many times.