My T told me if I cut not to do it deeply, so I don't wind up in hospital. But I know if I cut it will be deep, but it is so hard not to do it and I am running out of options.

[CantExplain]

They say that holding ice cubes can be very painful but generally won't do any lasting damage.

[Silent_tsol]

I held an ice cube once. Frustrated the heck out of me but it worked well it's intended purpose. Can you write out hope you're feeling? Punch a pillow -just don't tell your t of you do that one. Then she'll pull out the plastic baseball bet again, jk.

[lostmyway21]

Originally Posted by TentativeConnection

My T told me if I cut not to do it deeply, so I don't wind up in hospital. But I know if I cut it will be deep, but it is so hard not to do it and I am running out of options.

Hm you can try hand manipulation toys like the "tangle". Or the rubber band on the wrist trick? Or the ice trick? I was going to self harm tonight and I felt like I couldn't stop myself, so I picked up my phone instead of the razor and send T a text and told him I was about to self harm. He made me promise not to self harm or if I couldn't to go to the ER. If I need to sometimes he will call or text and get me grounded. Maybe this is something you can do? Telling T I'm about to almost always prevents me from following through.

Originally Posted by lostmyway21

Hm you can try hand manipulation toys like the "tangle". Or the rubber band on the wrist trick? Or the ice trick? I was going to self harm tonight and I felt like I couldn't stop myself, so I picked up my phone instead of the razor and send T a text and told him I was about to self harm. He made me promise not to self harm or if I couldn't to go to the ER. If I need to sometimes he will call or text and get me grounded. Maybe this is something you can do? Telling T I'm about to almost always prevents me from following through.

My T told me to think of ireland and only good neighbors allowed and the sound of sea gulls and ocean. bs. Ice and rubber bands dont work for me.

Originally Posted by Silent_tsol

I held an ice cube once. Frustrated the heck out of me but it worked well it's intended purpose. Can you write out hope you're feeling? Punch a pillow -just don't tell your t of you do that one. Then she'll pull out the plastic baseball bet again, jk.

lol thank you for the laugh.

[mixedup_emotions]

It's very difficult to resist the urge...when all else fails, I find that doing something (whether it's go out somewhere, do some kind of hobby, etc.) in spite of how I'm feeling...even when I really don't want to....helps.

Knowing that you have the choice, and accepting that, is tough. I find that I become very angry when I know that I have a choice and am leaning in the direction of a poor choice. Makes me want to throw a fit.

[growlycat]

Wish I knew alternatives to self harm that feel gratifying without perm harm. Does plucking hair (eyebrows, arms etc) produce enough pain? Sorry I wish I understood self harm issues better, but I think I generally understand the compulsion to do this.

Originally Posted by mixedup_emotions

It's very difficult to resist the urge...when all else fails, I find that doing something (whether it's go out somewhere, do some kind of hobby, etc.) in spite of how I'm feeling...even when I really don't want to....helps.

Knowing that you have the choice, and accepting that, is tough. I find that I become very angry when I know that I have a choice and am leaning in the direction of a poor choice. Makes me want to throw a fit.

Usually I run but I have hurt my ankle and knee from hiking so I can't for awhile lest I do serious damage to my joints.

Originally Posted by growlycat

Wish I knew alternatives to self harm that feel gratifying without perm harm. Does plucking hair (eyebrows, arms etc) produce enough pain? Sorry I wish I understood self harm issues better, but I think I generally understand the compulsion to do this.

No, not a plucker...well, I am, but only on my teddy bear :-) I think cutting is more visceral and it has more to do with intense sudden pain and blood- it serves to ground me. Plucking doesn't provide that.

My 10 yr old neighbor just came over and we are playing Jenga, so..crisis averted for at least as long as she is here.

Originally Posted by lostmyway21

Hm you can try hand manipulation toys like the "tangle". Or the rubber band on the wrist trick? Or the ice trick? I was going to self harm tonight and I felt like I couldn't stop myself, so I picked up my phone instead of the razor and send T a text and told him I was about to self harm. He made me promise not to self harm or if I couldn't to go to the ER. If I need to sometimes he will call or text and get me grounded. Maybe this is something you can do? Telling T I'm about to almost always prevents me from following through.

what is the tangle?

[Asiablue]

Can you put your razors up in the attic or somewhere which is really bothersome to get to? Might be enough of a deterrent if you need to get ladders to reach them?

[lostmyway21]

Originally Posted by TentativeConnection

what is the tangle?

Would someone else mind posting it from google or the old thread about it whoever remembers what it is? I have a hard time doing it from my iPhone and I'm not home.

It's a toy that keeps your hands busy and pretty much helps you fight the urge to self harm. It's what initially helped me stop self harming a few months ago. After a few weeks carrying it around I didn't have the urge to really do it anymore. I always keep one in my backpack.

Is this it?

[Simina]

Fortunately I haven't had cutting urges so far. Feeling physical pain is reluctant for me, I wouldn't do a cavity filling without anesthetic I bet those who do self cut are more resistant to dental treatments also, or could be. The way of self harming for myself, as much as it is, is by eating (more, less, depending on the mood&food). Not too good either. I was very upset and longed for my first T, for more than 7 months now, all with trying and hoping. But it's over now! Shall succeed without her! And I think that's what she wants and Ts want as well.
Determination, getting out from the oh, I need you, I can't live without you, I really can't ... I think we shouldn't be so afraid of expressing ourselves because of the chance of disappointing people. Come on, we're stronger than that, a bit of anger expressed outwards is ok! not always kept inside, the ones around will adapt...

[granite1]

HI tentative.i have a problem with SI when things get tough that is all i think of.i use to do it a lot more then i do now but i do still struggle.the ice and rubber bands never worked for me either.it was always such a strong urge.i was always able to call my T no matter what time it was.or i would get out and do things to get my mind away from it(this is what i do now) do you have some close friends you can spend some time doing things with .i would plan differnt things throught out the day to look foward to.silly things.it is kind of like i would take it one minute at a time if i had to.i would rant BIG time in my jopurnal about what was going on in my head.SI is such a hard thing to break. and i know it can be frustrating.you can also hang out here there is usually someone in chat to talk to also

[murray]

Sorry that the urge is so strong. For me sometimes emailing my T that I feel like doing this usually prevents me from doing it. Kind of strange but then I feel sort of accountable and that I want to be able to say that I DIDN'T do any SI after all. Often in that same email I will write out just about anything that is pressing at me and get all of that filth out of my head and away from me. After I do that, I figure that I have pretty much made the decision not to SI and then I just need to find a way to get through. This is when I pace around, shake my arms, put on a comedy, take a hot shower (not too hot of course), do some cleaning or if it is daytime go outside if I am able to...just about anything to distract me and better yet, wear me out.