[StripedTapir]

Today I relapsed after 9 months. I have been really stressed and anxious lately with university and other life issues. It all became too much and I started having a panic attack. I felt much calmer after SI (even though I know its wrong and that it solves nothing) Why is this?
Anyone have any tips on how to deal with stress and panic? Or any calming SI alternatives?

[SlumberKitty]

Great job on the 9 months. I am sorry you were feeling stressed and anxious and having panic attacks. I'm sorry you relapsed.


How to deal with stress? That's a good question. I like to talk or text with friends who help me sort of calm down. Recently I needed some encouragement and I reached out and asked for some and received it. You never know until you ask!

How to deal with panic? Try to do any grounding techniques you can think of. Can you see 5 things? Can you hear 4 things? Can you feel three things? Can you smell two things? Can you taste 1 thing? Plant your feet firmly on the floor, remind yourself that you are there and you are grounded.


Calming SI alternatives? Really for me it has just been being able to talk to others and open up with them. Just even saying I feel like SI-ing, can you talk with me a bit? Stuff like that.


HUGS Kit

[StripedTapir]

Originally Posted by SlumberKitty

How to deal with panic? Try to do any grounding techniques you can think of. Can you see 5 things? Can you hear 4 things? Can you feel three things? Can you smell two things? Can you taste 1 thing? Plant your feet firmly on the floor, remind yourself that you are there and you are grounded.


Calming SI alternatives? Really for me it has just been being able to talk to others and open up with them. Just even saying I feel like SI-ing, can you talk with me a bit? Stuff like that.


HUGS Kit

Thank you for the grounding technique - I will try that

I don't really have anyone I can reach out to. I worry if I tell someone I want to SI it might be taken as me being manipulative or attention seeking (have experienced this before)

[kumy]

Maybe you can try talking to somebody in here, if you fear that other may see you as manipulative. I wouldn't mind talking to you until you calm down. Sometimes, just putting our feelings into words helps a lot.

[WanderingCat]

I am sorry about your relapse, but keep in mind that your 9 months were not wasted.
I think that the alternatives are very personal; maybe you should try to make a list of things that you enjoy when you are happy, since once the urges are there it is harder to reflect.
I enjoy using stim toys, since they keep my hands busy for a while. I also like to go out for a walk, but since my sh urges usually come at night I can almost never go out. I also like to re-watch shows I enjoyed, since they sooth me. Online chats can be another distraction, as well as videogames (for me, it is Stardew Valley).

I know it's hard, but once you are a little calmer it can be useful to ask yourself why you si or had urges, and finding little ways to make yourself feel safer and empowered.

[KBMK]

Originally Posted by StripedTapir

Thank you for the grounding technique - I will try that

I don't really have anyone I can reach out to. I worry if I tell someone I want to SI it might be taken as me being manipulative or attention seeking (have experienced this before)

It's good you are reaching out here. There is always Samaritans too, for a word of reassurance, before you do anything dangerous/injurious 116 123 .
It's OK to need some attention, and it would be kind of people to say "sorry, I can't help you", rather than chastise you for asking for help. It's sad that you have been put off in that way.
What is casing the most stress at the minute?