[2_little_kings]

This may not work for anyone but me but when I jog alot I cut myself less. It seems like physical activity and excercise help me with alot of my problems with depression, ED and SI. I would like to discusss it at my group therapy but I am the only one and everyone else confuses it with a suicide attempt. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can approach this subject in group or should I just stop trying?

[Rapunzel]

Can you talk to the group leader about what you want to bring up in group? SI is a difficult subject that not everybody can handle. If nobody else in the group does it, maybe it isn't relative to the group, but the group leader should have an understanding of each member and what is appropriate.

You are probably on the right track though. My T. is always telling me that exercise and getting out into the sunshine would help. (I have depression with winter worsening and SI as well as social anxiety). I have been getting out and walking, but I'm usually pretty good in the summer anyway - it's winter that I'm worried about and I don't get out much then.

[Zenobia]

running is my best help. I try to get out as often as I possibly can. I find if I run in the morning the rest of the day my moods tend to stay in the midrange. I have read all sorts of stuff about how excercise release endorphines that help all sorts of things in the the brain.

as far as the group thing, I agree that it would be a good idea to approach the group leader about it first. Maybe together you could help the rest of the group understand the difference between most SI and suicide attempts.
Carrie

<font color=blue>The important thing is this: to be able at any momeent to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.--Charles Du Bos

[penna]

you might try comparing it to the less-extreme, socially acceptable things people do to cop with stress--like getting drunk occasionally or smoking. because there is an addictive quaity to si, some people might be able to understand and relate to that even if they aren't able to grasp why it works for you.

i used this with a couple of former co-workers and it worked pretty well. one asked me why i didn't just drink or smoke. i told her i'm an alcoholic and i would be unemployable if i started drinking again and that cutting is *much* cheaper than smoking and doesn't make you stink.