Sassy’s post

[AnxiousMermaid]

I struggle with a disability and anxiety. My anxiety has been really bad lately and I’ve started self-harming. I’m not suicidal, but… IDK.

[Jofisher]

You need to seek help so you can get the right support, either through your G.P. Or you can go to the hospital and you can be seen there by a mental health specialist. There’s help out there you just need to ask for it, I know it takes courage to ask for help but you won’t regret it. Good luck and I hope you start to feel better soon.

[Autisticframework]

youtube.com/watch?v=9W0djx4...(Not working as expected?)

Hope this video helps and you stop self harming!

[emmellecy]

Hi Sassy, try sidebyside.mind.org.uk/, it's run by Mind and it's helped me a lot, it might help you too. It's an online community but you can get help from Mind and talk to other people going through the same things as you. It's a place I like to use to rant, it makes me feel a lot better plus it's a safe space.

Things will get better, take it one day at a time xxxxxxxx

[LDAutie]

hi AnxiousMermaid i cant add anything more to what both Jo and AFW have briliantly put but i can relate a lot-i have always self harmed via head banging and self punching and biting and a little later-added scratching and cutting myself, ive done ireparable damage to nerves in my left arm and it looks a mess with lots of hypertrophic scarring, you will be better off long term finding out why you started self harming in the first place in order to learn better coping skills and to just feel better to.

it doesnt help that we are all going through changes yet again,things beeing lifted or not lifted, having to get used to going out again etc it can be a big pressure on some people-some of my support staff who have no disabilities or conditions are very anxious right now around having to mix with society again,so for people with neurodiverse disabilities,mental illness and severe anxiety it is so much worse- self harm can also be to do with something else in life or past traumas.... have a think about seeing the GP to ask for counseling,CBT,modified DBT (which helps with processing feelings,and although was invented for BPD/EUPD it has been modified for autistic people,but getting this on NHS can be hard or so ive heard-even for people with BPD/EUPD,but there are some free DBT apps on the app stores,i think theres a good one on android) or art therapy if you are a creative type-i have this every monday.

self harm can mean lots of things-with autism for example, it coud be anything from needing tactile input,to needing to express feelings you dont quite get or process to yourself or other people,to just plain and simple feeling rubbish or self hate.

it can be because people want to feel something physical to ground themselves and focus on instead of the hell they feel inside the head.

whatever it is, i hope you get some rest from it as soon as possible and this doesnt become a life long habit that is hard to crack,best wishes.

[Sarah_Mencap]

Hello AnxiousMermaid

Welcome and thank you for posting. There are some great replies on here already, with some suggestions that may help.

Please do talk to someone about how you are feeling. It can be hard to tell people what is going on, but it is so important.

Talk to your GP. They are there to help and they would want to know how you are feeling. They will be able to help you get support.

You can also talk to Mencap's helpline on 0808 808 1111 (or email [e-mail]). It is free and confidential.

There a lot of support online (which can be great - but doesn't replace talking to a real person):

> Mind have some great information here - mind.org.uk/information-sup...

> Young Minds is also good - youngminds.org.uk/young-per...

Best wishes

Sarah

[Kieran_Mencap]

Hi Thanks for your query. There is some great information mentioned already.

This might be of some help: mencap.org.uk/learning-disa...

Please contact the hepline if you need anything else

bye for now

Kieran

[outdoorsy1]

I don't have anything really useful to add, but wanted to send you support x