I don’t know trigger ⚠️

Elle17xx · 01:28 AM

Hi everyone,

I am currently 3 weeks free from self harm, it is really hard for me at the moment as, I am currently trying my best not to harm myself. I am trying everything I possibly can not to harm myself, but I am really struggling to not do it. It’s so hard.

TheGal · Jul 01, 2024 at 11:55 AM

A therapist told me self-harm is a form of control, when you feel like things are out-of-control.

With that in mind, could you make a list of things you can control and use that in place of self-harm?

Thoughts?

Elle17xx · Jul 01, 2024 at 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGal

A therapist told me self-harm is a form of control, when you feel like things are out-of-control.

With that in mind, could you make a list of things you can control and use that in place of self-harm?

Thoughts?

I don’t really know what I can control, it’s very difficult for me to know that.

Pflowers · Jul 01, 2024 at 01:50 PM

Something I've found helpful for me is to keep some colorful markers on hand, and when the urge becomes too much to resist, I'll write or draw on myself instead of scratching, picking or cutting.

MuddyBoots · Jul 01, 2024 at 06:21 PM

I don't know if you're still struggling as much as you were earlier, but when I avoid those urges it's by keeping myself incredibly busy. Cleaning sprees, learning more about whatever I'm really interested in at the time, exercising, grocery shopping if it's needed (or maybe get my favorite snack they sometimes have at the dollar store), cooking, looking at maps (obsession of mine), talking to people about their interests, whatever I can think of.

When I get to a "level of crisis down," I can use more solution-focused skills as opposed to doing stuff to do anything but self-harm. These are more the deep-breathing, grounding skills, mindfullness based exercises (yoga, tai-chi, etc), doing things to bring you into the present and focus on the idea of "I am here, I am safe, I am in control of my actions."

TsunamiWaves · Sep 09, 2024 at 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuddyBoots

I don't know if you're still struggling as much as you were earlier, but when I avoid those urges it's by keeping myself incredibly busy. Cleaning sprees, learning more about whatever I'm really interested in at the time, exercising, grocery shopping if it's needed (or maybe get my favorite snack they sometimes have at the dollar store), cooking, looking at maps (obsession of mine), talking to people about their interests, whatever I can think of.

When I get to a "level of crisis down," I can use more solution-focused skills as opposed to doing stuff to do anything but self-harm. These are more the deep-breathing, grounding skills, mindfullness based exercises (yoga, tai-chi, etc), doing things to bring you into the present and focus on the idea of "I am here, I am safe, I am in control of my actions."

Thank you for the suggestions. These help. I have started SH'ing again after years and years of being "clean". I want to stop it before it gets too far. I will try to employ some of these. Thanks again.

Calla lily12 · Sep 11, 2024 at 08:10 PM

I hope you're safe, but I understand the "need" behind self harm. I'm in that space now and I don't really care about things to do instead.

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Elle17xx New Member Member Since May 2023 Location: Southampton, England Posts: 7 1 6 hugs given	Jul 01, 2024 at 10:00 AM #1 Hi everyone, I am currently 3 weeks free from self harm, it is really hard for me at the moment as, I am currently trying my best not to harm myself. I am trying everything I possibly can not to harm myself, but I am really struggling to not do it. It’s so hard. Last edited by FooZe; Jul 02, 2024 at 01:28 AM.. Reason: added trigger icon
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TheGal Poohbah Member Since Aug 2022 Location: The House Posts: 1,200 2 819 hugs given	Jul 01, 2024 at 11:55 AM #2 A therapist told me self-harm is a form of control, when you feel like things are out-of-control. With that in mind, could you make a list of things you can control and use that in place of self-harm? Thoughts?
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Pflowers Little Miss Potty Mouth Member Since Apr 2021 Location: Georgia (USA) Posts: 3,127 (SuperPoster!) 3 13.4k hugs given	Jul 01, 2024 at 01:50 PM #4 Something I've found helpful for me is to keep some colorful markers on hand, and when the urge becomes too much to resist, I'll write or draw on myself instead of scratching, picking or cutting.
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Calla lily12 Grand Member Member Since Jul 2018 Location: a place far away Posts: 891 6 1,063 hugs given	Sep 11, 2024 at 08:10 PM #7 I hope you're safe, but I understand the "need" behind self harm. I'm in that space now and I don't really care about things to do instead. __________________ Once you are real, you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always....
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