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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the constant reminders

andi0828
andi0828
its been years since i was a heavy cutter but i still have the urges and still have the scarrs on my arms that remind me all the time. i hate it i try to hide what i can cause they are kinda light but you can still see then and i will notice if someone had seen them. im just worried that my kids will notice when they get older and i don't know how to handle that one does antone know of any ways to help subside the urge abs anything that will help with old scarrs
Stephen-Monroe
Stephen-Monroe
In regard to help subside the urge there are a few simple things you can try. Some use rubber bands to snap against their skin, while others flood themselves with distractions like television or friends. The most effective method I have used is apply a lot of ice directly on where I want to cut. The cold slowly starts to feel kind of like a burn similar to that of when you do actually cut, but of course no real harm done.

In my humble opinion, I would not go to great lengths to hide your scars. Everyone has them in so many different forms, yours just so happens to manifest itself physically. People that see the marks and make judgments are not worth your effort to worry about what they think or how they might perceive you. Those that know you should understand that you experience pain just like every other human being and compassion is owed to you.

Children are surprisingly forgiving and supportive of their parents. I would not fret that they be embarrassed, fearful, judgmental, or ashamed. When the time comes be sure to gently explain why you have succumbed to the behavior and how they can avoid it with healthy methods of dealing with pain. Most importantly: be honest and yourself.