[taytaybatt]

I can't seem to find anything on this so I wanted to see if anybody had advice on a good way to stop this.

Over the past many months I've begun to self harm because I'm curious about my own limits, like if I would be able to stab through my own hand, to very specific scenarios, such as if a burn from the top of the oven would be worse than a burn from the middle of the oven.

This stupid curiosity has led to some burns, cut, and a couple of stitches, but luckily nothing too bad. If I also put off things like this, they will begin to bug me. [like when watching a moving and recognizing and actor, but not being able to figure out why you recognized him. Then eventually you give in and google it.] The time frame on how long I can go varies by how dangerous the action seems to be.

I was hoping that somebody would have some sort of advice as to how to avoid thoughts likes these to begin with. Or at least some advice on how to resist things like this.

[Can't Stop Crying]

It sounds like you are in a pretty tough place. I would suggest trying distraction (it's difficult, but possible) Try to get busy doing something you enjoy - a hobby or something; or even every day tasks like housework, laundry, paying bills, etc.

Have you ever tried writing or drawing when you have these thoughts?

Can you identify what is triggering you too think along these lines?

[taytaybatt]

What do you mean by distraction? I already have a couple of hobbies. And I also have daily/weekly/monthly tasks that include all of those.

I haven't tried either of those. I'm not really good at either of those though.

They come completely out of the blue. I got the oven Idea when I read to place cookies on the middle rack. And within 10 minutes I went with the idea. Then other ideas come from random facts like how you are supposed to be able to bite off a finger? and I thought that the hand isn't much thicker so it couldn't take that much force. That built up for a couple of years until I hit that 'why not?' moment.

[Can't Stop Crying]

Originally Posted by taytaybatt

What do you mean by distraction? I already have a couple of hobbies. And I also have daily/weekly/monthly tasks that include all of those.

I haven't tried either of those. I'm not really good at either of those though.

Distraction for me is getting away from the "weapon" I intend to use for self harm. The oven, I would maybe go outside, or at the very least into a different room. I guess I would try to physically distance myself from the object so I wouldn't do anything impulsive and try to focus on anything that didn't involve self harm.

As far as writing, drawing - it has helped me to draw incredibly graphic images of what I intended to do (no talent required) to release some of the sense of "urgency"

I'm not sure I have the right answer as this is something I struggle with also...just some thoughts of things that I used to minimize the intensity of the harm I did to myself.

[ThisWayOut]

Distraction is a really good suggestion. Maybe making deals with yourself about putting off the self - harming (if I can put off sh for x minutes, I will allow myself [something positive and safe that is a reward for you]). Another thing I'm a bit hesitant to suggest would be to indulge in some scientific research, however I would caution that you restrict it to "book learning" or experiments with inanimate objects (something safe that does not harm either you or anyone/anything else). Perhaps watching Mythbusters would satisfy this urge, but **do NOT do any of this if it makes things worse**
I would also suggest talking to a professional about this sooner rather than later. It sounds like there may be something else going on that you will need to address.