[xXSkitty KittyXx]

Things people who cut can do to inflict "pain" without actually causing harm to their bodies??? I told my boyfriend I would try to stop cutting, but it is so hard.....I don't think I can do it....

[Angelornot]

snap a rubber band against your wrist. eat spicy food.

[Sam2]

Originally Posted by xXSkitty KittyXx

Things people who cut can do to inflict "pain" without actually causing harm to their bodies??? I told my boyfriend I would try to stop cutting, but it is so hard.....I don't think I can do it....

SkittyKitty,
not cutting when you have been doing it for a while is difficult. Even when you tell someone you won't. If the bond between the person who says they won't cut anymore and the person being told that is strong, it can go a long way in helping. I did me, but I won't say that I don't think about it. Especially when things become overwhelming and I feel trapped. When I made a promise to my friend I wouldn't do it anymore, I made sure to tell her I WOULDN"T, rather than I'd TRY not to. That way, I had to hold myself responsible without leaving myself a way out. I knew that if I did break that promise I would feel like I had betrayed the one person who accepts who I am no matter what I do.

If you know why you are cutting, that helps as well. Figuring out why you SI is the best route. Use anything you can in your bag of tricks to stop yourself from SI. The longer you can go without it, the better. If you do make a mistake, accept the fact that you had a setback and move on from there. Don't waste your time getting mad at yourself. Its kind of an addiction, and most addicts have setbacks.

You are making a conscious effort to stop, and that is what counts. Please stay safe.

Sam2

I have heard that holding ice cubes gives you the feeling of "pain", but doesn't cause any actual harm.
I know it's tough to stop harming cold turkey.