I have been cutting for a year now. I was in the hospital for the 2nd time this year due to my depression. During the 2nd hospital visit, my mom found out that I am a cutter. She took my scissors from me. I have been having bad cravings for a few weeks now. The cravings get worse everyday. In august, I will be going to college. I will be living in my own apartment, which I am not really ready for due to my paranoia, anxiety, depression, etc, but I am going to do it. I have a feeling that when I get there and I'm on my own, I will cut like crazy to act on all the urges. My mom plans to check on me, so I need an idea to not cut, because my mom will make sure that I don't. I need ideas to stop myself. Do any of you go through this too? The cutting at college?

[Girl_Interrupted]

I don't know how you'd get relief from 'cutting' with scissors as they've never broken the skin with me xD They just make tiny scratches.

You do not have very good scissors then! hehe I have one pair with great blades, until my mom took it away. Also, I cut HARD with them. Lightly doing it doesn't do any good. The right pair of scissors can produce plenty of blood.

[Girl_Interrupted]

Ah na these were sharp, and I usually cut by doing a quick and hard swipe, but they did nothing, and this was when I was like 17. Works best for me, and I use razors anyway.

Anyway, we probably shouldn't talk methods :P

As for the college cutting thing, I don't think either relate to be honest. It's all about stressful experience, than anything.

I imagine thousands across the US self-harm in their college dorms.

Can you get a counsellor on college campus? They should have one right?

Scissors do not do well with speed. I learned that on the first try of cutting. I once bought a pair of scissors from a cheap store and they didn't work. They left stupid scratch marks. I then went to a hardware store and bought really good scissors there. That pair worked great. Sadly, I have learned a lot about this. I probably shouldn't try a razor or else I am even more likely to get addicted to cutting than I already am. I bet they do work so much better. I should stop talking about method too, makes me want to do it, heh.

Well, I cut whenever I'm stressed out, but it relates to college in the sense that I will be free to do whatever I want to soon, including cutting. I agree, there are probably thousands that self-harm in their dorms. I just have to figure out a way not to do it since my mom will keep checking on me. I'll ask about getting a counselor on campus. That is a great idea.

[Sannah]

Starting college, moving, living alone, these are stressful (but exciting and good!) things. Are these increasing your urges?

It would be better if you could start therapy ASAP. Will school be far away from where you are now? When will school start? Do you have insurance to get a therapist off campus?

[ickydog2006]

Why are you choosing to live alone and without a roommate? I needed my roommate (and dormmates) to hold me accountable and on a few occasions put myself on 24hr watch and thankfully had a few trusted friends who took turns(depending on class schedules) never leaving my side (yes, including in the bathroom), and helping keep me away from meds and sharp objects. Get a counselor there ASAP, like within the first week set up an appointment, usually it's free at the school, and make friends. Don't push them away, and slowly open up to them . You never know if they'll understand or be accepting if you never give them the chance. I know, it'll be scary, especially at first, but the more you work on it, the more confident you'll become, and who knows how many others you will help by sharing your story.

[Angelornot]

statistically, 1 in 200 college students cut

@Sannah, anything can increase my urges, from thinking about the future, the past, and present, from having an argument, from feelings of despair and pain, and anger. Cutting relievs the built up pain inside, for me. My urges can come from many things. I have been having the urge and it just keeps building up. My school will only be 45 minutes from my house. School will start in late August too, so soon. All the mental health professionals are telling me not to go to school due to my psychosis, but...I already paid for the apartment. I am going to call the school tomorrow. I have a new psychiatrist that I will go see soon. My old one gave up on me. I will talk to the school about counselling.

@ickydog2006 - I am choosing to live alone because I am too paranoid to live with anyone. I don't trust people very well. I have even lost the desire to be around anyone now. I have some friends that will be going to the same school as me. I admit, I don't keep in touch with them much, but I do know one that will live close to me. I'll try contacting him to see if he will be my anti-cutting support in times of need. You have a great idea.

I will take these ideas and put them to use. I really appreciate your ideas. They are great.

Also, 1 in 200 is a lot, but can't blame them. The stress is too much to handle.

[Girl_Interrupted]

Originally Posted by CynicalReality

@Sannah, anything can increase my urges, from thinking about the future, the past, and present, from having an argument, from feelings of despair and pain, and anger. Cutting relievs the built up pain inside, for me. My urges can come from many things. I have been having the urge and it just keeps building up. My school will only be 45 minutes from my house. School will start in late August too, so soon. All the mental health professionals are telling me not to go to school due to my psychosis, but...I already paid for the apartment. I am going to call the school tomorrow. I have a new psychiatrist that I will go see soon. My old one gave up on me. I will talk to the school about counselling.

@ickydog2006 - I am choosing to live alone because I am too paranoid to live with anyone. I don't trust people very well. I have even lost the desire to be around anyone now. I have some friends that will be going to the same school as me. I admit, I don't keep in touch with them much, but I do know one that will live close to me. I'll try contacting him to see if he will be my anti-cutting support in times of need. You have a great idea.

I will take these ideas and put them to use. I really appreciate your ideas. They are great.

You sure you don't have BPD? You sound just like me xD

hahahaha, I have schizoaffective disorder, the bipolar type, so I do have some bipolar in me! xD

[Angelornot]

"Also, 1 in 200 is a lot, but can't blame them. The stress is too much to handle."
there are better ways to handle stress, though

[Girl_Interrupted]

Originally Posted by CynicalReality

hahahaha, I have schizoaffective disorder, the bipolar type, so I do have some bipolar in me! xD

Ah that explains it then