Self-Injury Struggles

[knr9311]

Sorry if this isn't on the right forum, I'm kind of new to this.
I have struggled with SI for about 7 years. It started over simple things as just not getting the grades I wanted & a death in the family. But about 5 years ago it got much worse, to where any time I got anxious, angry, numb, or depressed I would do it.
I would just like some advice on how to control it, or just something to relate to. I don't know anyone who understands.
I know a few coping mechanisms, such as the ice or frozen peas trick and where you draw on yourself with a red marker. Those haven't worked for me.

Thanks.

 

[Something-Vague]

I used to self-injure as well, from about age ten to eighteen- I am now twenty and haven't done it in more than a few times in the last two years. Similar to the frozen peas and the red marker, I tried doing the rubber band trick, but I found that even though I was replacing the behavior with something that was perhaps less harmful, I still had the dangerous mindset.

I think that was has been helpful for me is definitely taking the time to stop and think. Becoming aware of the negative feelings as they arise and instead of letting them accumulate, dealing with them as they arise and dispelling the automatic thoughts that are harmful. This is not easy, but it is worth it.

I also found that even if I'm not able to think through a situation in the moment, instead of turning to self-harm, I would use another method of expression, such as opening up a word document and just typing out every thought that came out of my mind uncensored or going for a walk or just screaming into a pillow. The word document was especially helpful because I could refer back to it later when I calmed down enough and was ready to work through any of the issues or negative mindsets that I had.

Likewise, I have found it helpful to go for walks, listen to music, do fingerpaints, etc. I don't know if it's similar for you, but whenever I would engage in self-injury, I often felt numb and wanted to feel something, anything, even though it was most likely the result of being overwhelmed from all of the feelings I was holding back or the circumstances that were tying me down. Just that feeling of hurting myself brought me back to reality so to speak, though also providing an escape... if that makes any sense. However, I knew it wasn't beneficial to me and I often felt guilty after. That's why I tried to do things that involved my senses in a similar way, but that are healthy such as the activities that I listed above. Maybe even playing an instrument would work.

I hope that some of this helps; feel free to message me any time. It takes awhile to overcome SI and a lot of inner strength, but it is possible.

 

[knr9311]

I used to self-injure as well, from about age ten to eighteen- I am now twenty and haven't done it in more than a few times in the last two years. Similar to the frozen peas and the red marker, I tried doing the rubber band trick, but I found that even though I was replacing the behavior with something that was perhaps less harmful, I still had the dangerous mindset.

I think that was has been helpful for me is definitely taking the time to stop and think. Becoming aware of the negative feelings as they arise and instead of letting them accumulate, dealing with them as they arise and dispelling the automatic thoughts that are harmful. This is not easy, but it is worth it.

I also found that even if I'm not able to think through a situation in the moment, instead of turning to self-harm, I would use another method of expression, such as opening up a word document and just typing out every thought that came out of my mind uncensored or going for a walk or just screaming into a pillow. The word document was especially helpful because I could refer back to it later when I calmed down enough and was ready to work through any of the issues or negative mindsets that I had.

Likewise, I have found it helpful to go for walks, listen to music, do fingerpaints, etc. I don't know if it's similar for you, but whenever I would engage in self-injury, I often felt numb and wanted to feel something, anything, even though it was most likely the result of being overwhelmed from all of the feelings I was holding back or the circumstances that were tying me down. Just that feeling of hurting myself brought me back to reality so to speak. However, I knew it wasn't beneficial to me and I often felt guilty after. That's why I tried to do things that involved my senses in a similar way, but that are healthy such as the activities that I listed above. Maybe even playing an instrument would work.

I hope some of this helps! Feel free to message me any time!

Yes, it's often for feeling numb or just feeling too much. I have gotten better at it the last few years. I often felt guilty afterwards too. It's like a temporary high that ends up leaving you feeling worse than before. It seems as if it's an addiction though. I do a lot of those things you mentioned: music, painting, writing, and going on walks. Thanks for the help! It's just great to know there's someone out there who understands.