[Paibok49]

I went to counseling for help with self-injury, specifically cutting, and was taught various coping techniques for dealing with the urge. Being exposed to that got me thinking about other tools that might be out there than I am unaware of. I've heard people talk about meditation to help with stress. Is there anything else you guys know of or have tried?

[Crazy Hitch]

Hi Paibok49

I've found this great thread for you where members give a variety of different things that they do instead of self harm

http://forums.psychcentral.com/self-...-yourself.html

There are a number of Forums here at Psych Central that you are free to browse around. Consider this like your personal Library. Nobody knows what you are looking at really. I could be busy reading Charlie Brown and the Chocolate Factory Book right now paging through the Chapter on Oompa Loompas and you wouldn’t know.

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Take care.

Hooli

[kaliope]

there was a book I bought called the scarred soul. you can get it on amazon for under 10 bucks. its a work book of sorts to understand si. read a chapter answr 8 or so questions. it was a nice book as in it wasn't threatening to do. it didn't ask you to quit which was a scary idea for me. I wasn't ready to do that. it doesn't ask you to do that till the end of the book. I quit doing the book at that chapter because I wasn't ready. but I didn't cut for over five years after doing the work in the book. then I only cut twice during a complete mental breakdown. it has been nearly 8 years now since then that I still haven't harmed myself so something about the book worked even though I never finished it.

i have a technique i use for unwanted thoughts. i have a door at the front of my mind and one at the back of my mind. the thoughts come in the front door and the only attention i give them is to notice them long enough to escort them out the back door. they are like clouds drifting through. i do not become attached to them, the only thing i think in my head is "thats it, out the back door". i will even visualize the thought being thrown out of my mind like a bouncer throwing a drunk out of a bar.

i have this thing called an anxiety meter that i visualize in my head. but you can change it from anxiety to stress. the meter goes from 0 to 10, 10 being the worst stress ever. so when your are stressed, see where the needle registers on the meter. then do breathing exercises until you get it down to a four. which is usually manageable. sometimes i see a knob on the meter and i will manually turn down the meter to four so i can calm down faster. practicing this enough, all i have to do now when i am anxious is say dial down, and i can calm myself.

welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

i don't know. i'm not stoically religious but i am a church of England Christian, and my self injury isn't influenced by my faith.

[healingme4me]

To answer the thread title, yes, spirituality can help.

Welcome to PC

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[CANDC]

Welcome to Psych Central (PC). Sorry to hear you have been suffering from self harm. Many people try a psych doc and with meds. Staying on the meds keeps them on a balanced, grounded place. Some people at PC will find a therapist will also help them sort out the roots of their life.

Getting sleep may be the single one thing that keeps me in balance. If you are not sleeping or having bad side affects, contact your psychiatrist and tell him what is happening so you can make adjustments.

I find that mindfulness (meditation without the religion) and breath awareness help me cope with stress.

Many people find compassionate, caring people here at PC. Some people find the forums give them the compassion and empathy they seek. http://forums.psychcentral.com

There are articles that go into more detail about coping with self harm.
Psych Central - Search results for Coping with self harm

Please feel free to private message any of the Community Liaisons by left clicking on the name in blue to the left of their post) for questions or just to share.