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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GonnaMakeIt 11/13/2010

So I read about this "Red Marker Therapy", where you're supposed to draw red lines on yourself where you'd normally cut.

I thought it sounded a bit silly, I couldn't see how that would be the same as cutting my arm. But I did it anyway, and, to my surprise, it does kinda seem to do something.

I can't say that it'll actually stop me from cutting, because I only just did it this morning. But, so far, I like it. It feels good there, I like having the red lines, I like having them there the same way I like having cuts there.

Has anyone else tried this?? What did you think of it??

deleted_user 11/13/2010

tried that but it dosnt work for me

deleted_user 11/13/2010

I havent tried it but I know it wont work for me. I dont cut to see them there and I hate the scars and cuts. I hide them all the time. I cut to feel something and the marker wont make me feel enough.

hlep 11/13/2010

i didnt try it but i will say this it wont work for me cause i love cutting its an obsession i have and i fight it all the time but it dont work all the time

GonnaMakeIt 11/14/2010

Wow, sounds like it is not working for any of you guys.

I guess maybe it has been working for me (so far), because I'm in love with the idea of having a secret. I love to have secret scars. I love how that distances me from people.

It's hard to explain. It's like how, when I'm afraid of being close to my BF because I think he's doing cocaine behind my back (he says he's not, but I don't know for sure), I need something to keep me distant from him; something he can't get to. It's a form of self-protection.

So, although it's not nearly as good as cutting, the red lines still give me a secret, and I like that.

I guess maybe I like the scars more then I like the cutting, too.

deleted_user 11/14/2010

I think it is amazing that you found something that works for you!! Whether it works in the long run or not, I'm glad that you did not draw them on there and decide that it wasn't working and give up on the idea. This is truly inspirational to me and I hope it keeps working for you, and I know I will definitely be giving this a try now.

TwilightStar 11/14/2010

I did it a few times and sometimes it will help however I like ice better.

I found that when it comes to writing anything on myself I really liked using eyeliner more than marker.

Thats just me though.
Glad it worked for ya! : )

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