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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It was just yesterday.....

MaryinLouisville
MaryinLouisville
that I was "tooting my horn" about having had some success with baby steps.
Well, this morning the whole hour ish while I was on the computer I was chewing my nails. Sometimes I wish I could cut my hands off (just kidding not a thing to joke about). How do I deal with this now? Is it as easy as baby steps and start over? It doesn't feel that simple. Anyone out there feel similar of go through this? Thanks in advance:)
LoveAlice
LoveAlice
At least you didn't cut! Chewing nails is a nervous habit for A LOT of people. I would not be too hard on yourself about that. I still think you are doing good. It's "funny" you mention wanting to cut your hands off because I used to have thoughts about cutting my arm off. Isn't that weird? It's so sick and twisting and you know you don't want that to happen! But you think it anyway.
MaryinLouisville
MaryinLouisville
Thank you Alice. It wouldn't bother me so much if I didn't bite nails like I use SI. Well no, I didn't SI but I was very tempted and I hide my hands just like I hide my arms that hold the evidence. I just seem to be unable to just sit with myself and my thoughts and not engage in one of my SI behaviors. I have begun talking more about my childhood memories with my therapist. I'm still wanting to find the traumatic event that triggered all this stuff. How are you today Alice? Take care of YOU!
joneszy93
joneszy93
You can't be too hard on yourself. We all slip once in a while, like we've said, it's not a race :) and like Alcie said at least you didn't cut :) I think you're making great progress so far.

I use to bite my nails super bad to where I'd make the cuticles bleed. But now that I don't bite them anymore, I'm just super obsessive about keeping them super short (and I kind of have to for my friend that I went to school in) which now that I think of it, that's probably what helped me break the habit.