[WillowElf]

so tempted to self harm, help!

[Takeshi]

Same here. I don't know 'bout you. For me, the traumatic cause won't go away by harming myself, being smart is the only way I guess. You're still here, everyone else on this forum are still here no matter the hardship, I understand that as enough evidence that we can withstand the great deal of pain. Things I could say from my experience would be like, try not to succumb to your emotions, mistakes are prone to happen, sometimes doing the right thing for yourself may seem the hardest, we're all trying to figure out ourselves, either way you choose for yourself, I'd like for you to find kindness and strength for having going through the past that none of us can't change.

Things that seems to be working right now is that I'm trying not to attach meaning to the inflictions of the injury, I wanted bigger but I just couldn't give the act too much power, I had to know what it was about first, please remember, everyone is trying to figure **** out for themselves, you're the boss, take charge. TC.

[Fizzyo]

Originally Posted by WillowElf

so tempted to self harm, help!

Thank you for reaching out I'm sorry I took so long to find your thread.

I struggle too with hugely intense impulses to SI.

When I'm really determined I find the 15 minute rule helps me.
If I decide not to SI at that moment in time, I give myself a target of 15 minutes and then engage in a distracting activity. After 15 minutes I review my choice, it's in my control to choose, no one makes me and no one can stop me. (I try to remember to praise myself for that 15 minutes achievement, no one knows how much determination it took)

If I choose to avoid SI again, I give myself another 15 minutes target and start again.

Sometimes the intensity of the urge reduces after an hour or so and that's only 4 or 6 15 minute periods.

When I feel that 15 mins is too long, I go for 10 or 5 and I also phone the Samaritans (UK's crisis helpline) if I feel my resolve has gone and I need help to stay safe. So far they have always helped me calm down and regain my strength to resist and they will spend as long with me as it takes.

Even if none of my speech helps you, I help reaching out has helped and I feel for you in this lonely place.