[Patientnmbr000]

I used to cut, actually; but as soon as I started to get over it, I started unconsciously scratching and picking my arms and wrists. And when I'm facing stress or anxiery I start biting my hands and wrists steong enough to hurt and leave a mark. I don't know how to atop this... But at least I'm not cutting. Maybe.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, Patientnmbr000, and welcome to Psych Central! True, you are not cutting, but you are still injuring yourself, of course. What else are you doing to treat your anxiety? Are you seeing a therapist? Could you wear long sleeves, so you would have to consciously roll up a sleeve to get to your arms? I'm thinking out loud here.

I saw this list for anxiety provided by glok, a member here:

My therapist gave me a card with these coping tips. They take some practice but have been helpful.

Coping With Anxiety and Panic

1. Remember, feelings of panic are just exaggerations of normal bodily stress reactions.
2. Sensations are neither harmful nor dangerous - just unpleasant. Nothing worse will happen.
3. Anxiety is temporary. Instead of fighting it, relax into it. Just let it be.*
4. Focus on facing the fear rather than trying to avoid it or escape from it.
5. Stop adding to the panic with frightening thoughts of where panic will lead.
6. Stay in the present. Be aware of what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.
7. Notice that when you stop adding to panic with frightening thoughts, the fear begins to fade.
8. Wait and give the fear time to pass.
9. Look around you. Plan what you will do next as the panic subsides.
10. When you are ready to go on, do so in an easy, relaxed manner. There is no hurry.
11. Think about the progress made so far despite all the difficulties.
*Breathe

I take Klonopin myself, an antianxiety med.

I hope you can get out of your attacking yourself soon.

[Patientnmbr000]

Originally Posted by Travelinglady

Hi, Patientnmbr000, and welcome to Psych Central! True, you are not cutting, but you are still injuring yourself, of course. What else are you doing to treat your anxiety? Are you seeing a therapist? Could you wear long sleeves, so you would have to consciously roll up a sleeve to get to your arms? I'm thinking out loud here.

I saw this list for anxiety provided by glok, a member here:


I take Klonopin myself, an antianxiety med.

I hope you can get out of your attacking yourself soon.

Hi and thank you for answering! I can't (unfortunately) wear long sleeves at the moment. It's summer. I am seeing a therapist once a week or so. I know that Abilify has made my anxiety worse, so I'm soon gonna stop eating it, (I talked about it with a psychiatrist already) and he told me I can. I'm taking Abilify for "early signs of psychosis and social isolation."

[Road_to_recovery]

I also used to cut but my husband cries if/when he sees it. I've started biting my knuckles and thumbs at work now, and I too leave a mark. I don't really have any suggestions; just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

I had also been taking klonopin but now use it only as needed and I found that it makes me very weepy and depressed. It isn't worth it.

Back when I was cutting I used to tell myself to wait until a better time to cut and when that better time came the feeling generally passed. Not all the time though.

[NothingCanStopYou!]

Road to recovery, that's a great tip! Because sometimes the urges are so strong that I think they will only pass if I act on them. But you are reminding me that urges don't last forever.

Thanks!