...how do you...

How do you keep yourself from cutting?
I have been 'clean' from cutting but find it a huge problem to deal with everyday.
I am scared that i will lose control one day and go too far. Anyone have any ways of keeping themselves from doing it?

Hi Lise, welcome to PC.

You may not have seen it, but we have a pinned topic in the SI forum: things to do instead of hurting yourself that you may want to check out. There are LOTS of ideas there.

I keep busy, I write down my thoughts , i write poetry and let all the bad things come out in that - i write thing son paper and then tear it into pieces - I cuddle a bear and try to sleep, I put ice on my wrist to distract me - I remind myself that i have scars on my body that will take a long time to go away if ever - I remind myself that its the past that makes me want ot hurt myself and that i am not that person anymore and I come to pc and post about it and recive support form others and my T helps me.

thats all I can think of - hope it helps

I used to cut at least once a day, but I haven't for sometime now. This isn't really the best way to stop yourself, but what runs through my mind when I look at my scars is, "It's not worth it. Cutting works for 5 mins, and then I feel just as bad as before. The only thing that will get rid of my feelings/issues/voices is going all the way and that is somthing that is much harder than it seems and supposedly will hurt more people than it will help me." And I don't do it.

Yeah, I used to think that, but It seems like its the only thing that works now. The release.

release or avoiding the pain - using pain as a distractor? jmo - ive done that .. I hope you will stay safe. P7

The key for me is to wait long enough before cutting until I care more about my reasons not to do it than I do about wanting to do it. Until then, it's really a matter of waiting as long as it takes - hours, minutes, days, etc. - just a little at a time until you're there. Emotions come and go and get stronger and subside like waves. You can observe them without doing anything. Distraction techniques are good for getting through when you're trying to wait, and it's hard.

Here's a list of ideas grouped by what you need (such as if you are feeling angry, or feeling sad, or feeling dissociated, or wanting to rant, or wanting to see blood, ...)
http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/panic_list.html

Hi there.. I know how it feels to think that causing yourself bodily harm is the only way to release your emotions. I haven't cut in quite a while, even though earlier tonight I came very close due to my breakup. The way I generally keep myself from cutting is by listening to music. I just blare my music, cry, and forget about my life. Another thing that keeps me from doing it is the fact that if my Grandma caught me (which she would) she would have me put in the Hospital or some Mental Institution. I also like to write. I write poems and things of that nature. It does help. At times I will go outside and scream, or I will hit some object.

I am sorry to hear you're having a rough time, but just know that a lot of us are and we're all here for you.. Good luck and God Bless.