having a safety plan is a good way to go. it is not always effective (believe me, i know!!) but you can write down things you can do to distract yourself or to help yourself before you get to the self harm. i have self harmed for years, and yesterday was told that i did great going for 2 months without doing anything. i have a plan, where i can do crosswords, go online, go for a walk (when appropriate), phone a friend, phone my nurse, or the emergency team if after hours, take my anxiety medication (which is very effective), think about the consequences of my actions if i do anything...the list can go on and on. I don't yet feel comfotable doing most of the above, but they are goals i have. pls canders, do not go to cutting. the scars stay with you forever, and altho they are a release you will regret it every time you look at them. my children are growing up with a mother who has scars all over her body, and it is so hard to answer their questions about them. since i have become a member of PC i have found so much support. i use it to chat, to read others thoughts, to find out more information about what i am going through, and it is the best distraction i have ever had. i hope this helps a little...it's all very close to my heart right now so i can really understand about what you are going through...