Help with adult self harm.

[Marjoriemearl]

How can I get help and support with recently self harming as an adult? Have depression and life is tough at the moment, but can’t stop hurting myself.

[Kaytee1981]

Have you only started as an adult?

I started at 37yrs and no one from the mental health teams can understand it.

Personally I've had to let it run its course- like I still get urges to do it but manage some how by keeping busy or sleeping or sometimes the children are about so I can't. When I'm really anxious I do tend to cut.

[Marjoriemearl in reply to Kaytee1981]

Thanks for replying. Yes, I'm 44 and it started about 4 weeks ago. Doctor says to hold an ice cube or snap a rubber band but this doesn't help. I usually work in a professional environment (signed off at the mo) and am worried about hiding all the marks. It just feels so ridiculous to be doing this and then I do it again. x

[Kaytee1981 in reply to Marjoriemearl]

I work in a hospital so have to be bear below the elbow - I'm off at the moment too and have significant scars (infected wounds) I'm quite scared of the reactions I will get from patients and staff and have started self harming on my leg but the scars on my arms are still there.

I've tried those techniques too but found them no help. I was recommended this app by a mental health nurse - calm harm. I havent found anything to help but I know its possible - when I was in hospital there was a girl who significantly, and I mean really significantly self harmed and she had managed to go 4months without harming herself - she said she just sat on her hands or distracted herself

[Sunf7ow3er]

I read this book about self- harm. It stems from past traumas. The person goes into a trans when doing it. They don’t realize it when they do it hard or big. I would suggest to seek help before it gets worst. Therapist? Meds?

[Marjoriemearl in reply to Sunf7ow3er]

Thanks for replying. Have been on meds now for 4 weeks and am having CBT and the doctor knows. Not sure what else to do really. x

[Sunf7ow3er in reply to Marjoriemearl]

I went to therapy yesterday and I did a meditation where I went to a safe place. You should try it. I heard hypnosis is good too.

[mysterymuse in reply to Sunf7ow3er]

Would you mind sharing what book this was? I'd really like to read it.

[Elliott_Woods]

Do you see a therapist? That could possibly help. I know the struggle, unfortunately 💜 it's not easy to cope. There are ways you can cope without having to harm yourself tho. You could journal, take a walk, shower or bath, draw or paint, call a friend, pet an animal, whatever it is that is positive and occupies you. You must try to resist and replace harming yourself with something positive. One thing that I would do is scribble on a blank piece of paper with a red pen or marker. I would draw really fast and make doodles (nothing special) but the whole point was to keep myself from cutting. The red marker helped because it's the color of blood, and writing really fast helped because I was getting my pent up sadness and anger out, I was letting the bad energy out through scribbling on the paper.

I wish you much and I'm sending good vibes your way 💜

And you can always come here for support, so don't forget that 😊

[Spirit_Blue]

I wish I could reply to everyone who has posted because there is some information about self-harm that I am not reading. Does everyone know why self harm helps you and is addictive? The answer is that when we get a physical injury, our bodies release endorphins. If you aren't familiar with the role of endorphins, simply put, they provide us with our own source of pain relief and give us a sense of calm. Endorphins can be just as addictive as opiates and so we keep hurting ourselves and this is how we cope with the things that bother us emotionally.

[mysterymuse]

I've struggled with self harm since I was a teenager (I'm now in my 30s). If you need any support or just want someone to talk to, please reach out. I'm always happy to help, even though I still struggle!