<font color="darkgreen"> I had a few more old notes for this thread, but right as I was going to post, someone in this forum had a situation and I didn't want it to look like I was speaking to them. Any of this stuff is for your use only, not putting anyone down or anything. Information, to me, has always been a neutral thing, what you can use for yourself, that is good.

This section is about IF you must harm yourself

-Try to substitute more socially accepted methods such as getting your hair cut, changing your haircolor, or piercing your ears.

-Don't beat yourself up about it. This only makes matters worse, but it is a habit that is very hard to break. Focus on finding better ways to communicate and express your feelings. Try to find ways to increase your control over your self harming behavior. Don't focus on the fact that you've hurt yourself again!

-BE AS SAFE AS YOU CAN BE. NEVER share instruments with another! Sharing razors and such has been identified as a potential route for HIV transmission. This is where your non-lethal act can accidently turn into a lethal one. Remember, many people who self harm also abuse drugs and other substances, not being in total control of actions etc., and are at a higher risk for carrying HIV.

PLEASE ...the following can be very triggering to anyone on the "edge" of self harm. But I post it so that you can be as safe as possible in this.

Before you do any self harm, think. I know you are doing a lot of trying not to, trying either to not feel or to feel, depending up your mood. But think about just WHAT you think you need to do, WHERE on your body and then? Clean the area. Use soap and water, alcohol wipes whatever. Make sure your instruments are also clean. Try and do as little damage as you can hold yourself to, take it slowly so you can see how little might make you feel better. When you stop, make sure you be also clean the area, and the item. If you need to, place a sterile bandage such as bandaids (they do come large, you know?) to protect the area and keep infection out. Use an antibiotic type cream also, if you can. If you don't want the pain, find one that also has a pain killer in it. Be as "safe" as you can be with this.

<font color="blue"> All I have left in my notes are words for family or friends of self injurers. Let me know if you wish me to post that in the future, or not, ok?

_Sky