Tonight on chat as we tried to support someone who was having urges, an idea emerged. I don't know if anyone has tried this before, but it may be a good idea.

Buy a large stuffed animal (possibly really ugly). Whenever you have the urge to harm yourself in someway, beat up the stuffed animal instead. I think it would provide a good opportunity to let out your frustration.

I've seen ideas like snapping a rubber band on your wrist and drawing on yourself with a red marker, but these are still focusing the anger and sadness on yourself. Taking it out on a stuffed animal might be a good way for shifting the anger to something other than yourself.

So next time you have urges... what did that teddy ever do for you?