[SheHulk07]

My therapist has suggested I time how long I can h old my hand in ice cold water until I feel relief. I did it for 7 minutes without anything. I need something to work.

[SheHulk07]

Well I guess that was 25 minutes of not self harming so I guess that was the point.

[Samanthagreene]

I have tried this method too (just an ice cube in my hand) but it didn't really work, it looked weird so people asked questions, and it made my hand wet. Drawing on my skin was marginally more successfully, and beyond that, just distraction and things like "I won't SI until I eat breakfast" and then "I won't SI until after school" taking things one step at a time.

[falsememory7]

Sam, that was really great advice - I had to do the same thing, make benchmarks and time periods to SI so that I wouldn't do it all the time, and slowly stretch them to longer periods of time, so that I wouldn't harm myself too much. I've also found that the ice treatment doesn't work whatsoever, but rubber bands work wonders for me... The only problem with that is that you have to be very careful, because sometimes I pop the rubber band frequently without thinking about it, and make my wrists too red - but I think it's better than cutting or burning. And amy, 25 minutes without SIing is a great accomplishment though keep hanging in there, and before you know it, you'll be able to go long periods of time without doing it, and you'll feel incredible

[MusicLover79]

My therapist suggests this all the time. I hate it because I don't feel pain. Idk. I wish I did feel something

[reesecups]

I do the same thing...give myself time limits. If I don't feel better by such-and-such a time, I will cut. If I get to that point safely, and still can control the impulse, than I mark another section of time. I've and marking had never helped me.

[SheHulk07]

It doesn't hurt me either, so I kind of end up more upset because I want and deserve that pain.