Help with self harming (cutting)

[SubmergedSnake5383]

This thread isn't about dying but I self harm sometimes, lately it's becoming more recent but now I need to draw blood to be satisfied, my pain tolerance is really low though and I end up stopping myself even though I know I need and deserve this but how do I get over this?

 

[spøgelse]

The best way is to not do it. Self-harm is in many cases an addiction. Our brain starts craving pain, building up a tolerance to it, just like with drugs and alcohol. Eventually it's not going to be enough and you might wind up doing something you don't want to. I've heard of people losing entire limbs because they cut through the wrong spot a few times. If you have an addictive personality, avoid self-harming.

Don't use knives, box cutters, or scalpels. If you accidentally add pressure, you're fucked. Use dismantled razor blades.

Swiping one across the skin quickly usually yields a good amount of blood and doesn't go to deep. It may take a little learning to do.

Avoid cutting on the inner thigh, or anywhere with thin skin. Forearms and outer thighs are better alternatives and in most cases less painful.

 

[crimsonpool]

i quit self harm a couple times and the only thing that worked every time was just to get rid of what i was cutting with, it's easier to ride out the urge when you cant just go grab what you always use, a good distraction works too, and in a really dire situation snapping a hair tie on your wrist or biting your fingers work for me. &, if you really have to do it and cant quit, just make sure you're clean about it, whatever you're using should be clean and not rusty and you have to clean and dress your wounds properly or you could get awful infections. also dont cut deep its not worth it the healing process is annoying and itchy and the scars are worse, stopping if it hurts is fine. ive been doing this a long time so if you need anything just lmk

 

[SpiderLink]

This thread isn't about dying but I self harm sometimes, lately it's becoming more recent but now I need to draw blood to be satisfied, my pain tolerance is really low though and I end up stopping myself even though I know I need and deserve this but how do I get over this?

It's tough to stop for sure, I still do it time to time, but I find distractions r helpful, like playing video games or something.

 

[fakeimportance]

Can vouch for building up tolerance, you have to be careful not to go too far. I self harm via punching, biting, strangling, tbh anything that only leaves a temporary mark. But this used to just be a gentle punch, a tightening of a scarf etc. It's not enough anymore, today I punched my arms so hard they could've broken, I bit so hard that I hit a nerve, and that wasn't enough to ease the mental pain so then I strangled myself so tightly I almost passed out.

Any self inflicted pain can get addictive and out of control fast.

(I was a cutter for years btw, I don't do it anymore because honestly it's messy and inconvenient and I can't be arsed with that lol)

 

[ferret-in-a-sock]

Whenever I break my self harm streaks, it's never a conscious "I'm going to stop hurting myself" even though thats why my therapist wanted, it is however semi what her and I discussed which is find out "why" you're self harming and treat that.

For me avoidance, shame and self-loathing come up a lot. And it feels like I can't control those feelings, they're really unbearable and it feels like self harm releases the feelings. Two things worked well and they're the most hard and disgusting things to accomplish when depressed: exercise and sleep.

Shame is like the worst culprit to why I turn to self harm and is usually born for me when I don't act or choose wrong, so sometimes making sure I'm doing something small every day that I need to do, even when I absolutely loathe to do it, keeps the feeling from getting out of control.

But in the moment when you're like "I can't stand these feelings!" It's really hard to try to come down and so what works for me is sometimes forcing yourself to sit with the feeling and continue anyway. It's part of acceptance and commitment and it's not at all easy or fun. It's awful and only works half the time, but the outcome is better. Like when you're unbelievably sad and feel like everyone hates you, to go out and do something or to text a friend or to go socialize on a multi-player video game. Or when you hate yourself, choosing to take that shower, wash your face, eat or do stretches or if you can sleep. Or when you're angry, choosing to clean or go for a walk.

Im a hypocrite though and I rebound. But it's worth looking at the feelings behind the action.

 

[mapleboy]

Self harm really can become an addiction, I myself have already fallen into it. If you're asking about how to get over the pain, perhaps try a different method other than cutting. A lot of people would recommend snapping a rubber band to create a sensation on your wrists or arms. I know a few people who draw on themselves with red marker and wash it off to create red streaks.

Getting rid of whatever you use to cut and stopping cold turkey can sometimes do more harm than good. Perhaps you can do it less often, or come up with some days when you're absolutely not going to cut. Maybe start with 1 or 2 and see how it goes. If you're able to keep yourself clean for those set days, add another day. I really hope you're able to navigate these feelings and find out what works for you <3