How do you stop self harming?

[marion]

Could use some tips. I'm finding I'm cutting myself about once a week at the mo - sometimes I have days where it's all I can think about doing and on those days I can usually resist but the times I cant are when something (normally Chloe!!) really annoys and upsets me (Mark takes her away whilst I calm dpown) but I cant calm down unless I cut myself lately. I also pucnh and hit myslef and smack my arms against door frames when I am upset.

How do you stop doing it? It;s like it is the only way I feel any better. I've tried telling Mark when I want to do it but he just tells me well dont do it then. Tried deep breathing but I get this big build up of tension that just wont go.

Have been on the NHSN website but found that most of the people on there are young teenagers and I felt old and as if I should know better by my age (28). It;s like from some of the posts on there that they do it for fun almost as if it's something clever and go on there to gloat about it. But it's not fun and I want to stop. Right now I dont want to do it but next time the urges come I'm scared I'll give into them again.

Any advice anyone?

Thanks
Marion.

[monica]

Hi

Don't really know much about self harm so tell me to bugger off if what suggest is crap. It sounds like for you doing something physical releases the tension, so would getting a punch bag, a poper one help, or is it specifically hurint yourslef that releases the tension.

Or maybe instead of cutting yourself is there anything you could do that would be less severe, like scratching. Again I don't fully understand what you have to go to to release that tension you mentioned.

Overall since you've been doing it, is it getting less?

love

monica

[cheshire]

Hi

What Monica has written there has reminded me - apparantly a 'safe self harm kit' is about to be 'published' and distributed to CPNs for inspection.

I'll try to find out more.

Hopefulxx

[marion]

Would be realy interested in that hopeful if you get any more info.
I'm afraid the only way I can release the tension Monica at the mo is to hurt myself - have tried punching pillows and stuff but it doesnt help. I did manage to refrain yesterday when I eally wanted to several times so that's something but I feel I'm a bit of a lost cause right now.
Thanks guys for your replys.
Love
Marion.

[newwie]

HI
I suffer from this and there is a few others on here that may well talk to you about it.
But you will find in some of my posts i talk about it.
Apparently it can be part of the pni as i only started this since i had given birth and never had previously cut burnt etc etc myself before.
I find it very frustrating especially now that my arms are covered in scars and marks that i have made.
But it is hard to stop and i found the more i tried to stop the more i ended up doing it.
They are websites available but it only hold information on it on like you i found them to be targetted at younger people and i too found that they seem to do it to reep attention most of them.
Mine is like a release and also because i dont like myself at the moment and find myself very angry and emotions that i cant deal with happen to come along i turn to this.
I did have a cpn and she told me not to worry about it as she felt that whne i recover from pni that will fade away. She advised that i tried to distract myself when found that i was ina situation where i knew i was going to self harm but this didnt work im afraid.
The only hting that i hope for is that it will fade and eventuall yit will go when im better, and cope with things. My gp is aware and also now my councillor is aware of the situation, and they all have said the stress etc is just too much for you to handle and this is what the result is. try to relax etc etc.
But if your anything like me it doesnt work at all.
I would dvise though that if its concrning you go to the gp as they will refer you to a councillor and to be honest i fell in lucky as mine deals with self harm aswell as other things so it is good.
So as im going through the process i will give you any tips that i get along the way.

Hope it eases a little

newwie
take care

[marion]

Hi newwie - have told the counselor I saw on friday and we will try and stop it together but I am pleased to say I havent done it for 2 weeks now which is the ongest Iv;e gone in quite a while.
I;m like you - it's frustration when I get upset and dont know what else to do to get the hurt out and it's the only thing that helps. I'm just hoping that I dont get to that stage again.
Hate the summer though - all those nice short sleeved tops and I'm too self consicious to wear them. Went shopping for new work clothes today with a friend and had to explain to her why I couldnt buy anything short sleeved. She's very understnading though.
tahnks for your reply newwie - it does help to know other feel the same.