[clydeblack]

Hey guys, I have been self-harming for 8 years.

The older I got the more the feelings came and went.

As of recently, I've been cutting myself a lot. There was almost no space left on my arm so a couple months ago I turned to my legs. Walking is now extremely painful, and standing still is worse. It feels like it's burning or something's putting pressure on the scar. I take care to use antibiotics, gauze and clean blades.

Has anyone else felt similar? When is it necessary to see a nurse?

Also, what do you do to not self-harm?

[Skeezyks]

Well... I guess I don't really know about this. I've never been a cutter. My self-abuse has taken other forms. In my case, I finally quit the worst of what I was doing after I caused myself permanent injury. I don't know if you're doing anything to try to learn how to stop cutting yourself. You've been doing this for 8 years. There's no place left on your arms to cut. And so now you're cutting your legs to the point where it's painful to stand & walk. Yes, it sounds like you're being careful. But, at least from my perspective, it seems as though there is a point where you have to decide to do what has to be done in order to stop. The alternative is to do as I did & just keep going until you cause yourself some sort of permanent, irreversible damage. Personally, I can't recommend it.

You asked when to see a nurse & what other members do to not self-harm. As far as seeing a nurse goes, I would guess if you start seeing signs that, despite your best efforts, your cuts are becoming infected... they're becoming red & swollen for example... then this would be the time to seek medical attention I would think. (I'm not a medical professional though. So that's just my personal opinion.)

As far as how to stop cutting goes, as I mentioned, I finally gave up what I was doing when I did permanent injury to myself & realized that if I continued I could make matters even worse than they already had become. To be quite honest, I do still have the urges. However since I continue to experience, on a daily basis, the ill effects of the damage I did to myself I have a constant reminder that were I to resume doing what I did I could make matters even worse! That stops me.

Beyond that, I presume the answer is to get with a mental health therapist (assuming you're not already seeing one) & work with that person to try to figure out what is driving you to want to cut. Here's a link to an "Ask the Therapist" article, from PsychCentral's archives, where a person wrote in asking how to stop cutting. There are other "Ask the Therapist" articles on this topic as well. The reply this person received is, from what I've read in other articles of this sort, pretty much what there is to say on the subject:

https://psychcentral.com/ask-the-the...f-i-cant-stop/

My best wishes to you...

[clydeblack]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Well... I guess I don't really know about this. I've never been a cutter. My self-abuse has taken other forms. In my case, I finally quit the worst of what I was doing after I caused myself permanent injury. I don't know if you're doing anything to try to learn how to stop cutting yourself. You've been doing this for 8 years. There's no place left on your arms to cut. And so now you're cutting your legs to the point where it's painful to stand & walk. Yes, it sounds like you're being careful. But, at least from my perspective, it seems as though there is a point where you have to decide to do what has to be done in order to stop. The alternative is to do as I did & just keep going until you cause yourself some sort of permanent, irreversible damage. Personally, I can't recommend it.

You asked when to see a nurse & what other members do to not self-harm. As far as seeing a nurse goes, I would guess if you start seeing signs that, despite your best efforts, your cuts are becoming infected... they're becoming red & swollen for example... then this would be the time to seek medical attention I would think. (I'm not a medical professional though. So that's just my personal opinion.)

As far as how to stop cutting goes, as I mentioned, I finally gave up what I was doing when I did permanent injury to myself & realized that if I continued I could make matters even worse than they already had become. To be quite honest, I do still have the urges. However since I continue to experience, on a daily basis, the ill effects of the damage I did to myself I have a constant reminder that were I to resume doing what I did I could make matters even worse! That stops me.

Beyond that, I presume the answer is to get with a mental health therapist (assuming you're not already seeing one) & work with that person to try to figure out what is driving you to want to cut. Here's a link to an "Ask the Therapist" article, from PsychCentral's archives, where a person wrote in asking how to stop cutting. There are other "Ask the Therapist" articles on this topic as well. The reply this person received is, from what I've read in other articles of this sort, pretty much what there is to say on the subject:

https://psychcentral.com/ask-the-the...f-i-cant-stop/

My best wishes to you...

Thank you so much for your answer. I really appreciate it that you included your personal story.

I saw a nurse today who referred me to urgent care and we are taking care of the wounds. Hopefully all will go well.

As for stopping, it's a process. But I will remember your words.

[eye2797]

I started on my legs, upper thigh. I do not control harm. So I almost always had to seek medical help. I am glad you sought help.
It is a process. I did it for the pain, so pain after I did not mind.