Self harm

[Julieanne61]

I haven't self harmed yet but feeling so depressed thinking about self harm don't no what todo

[Hidden]

I'm at the 'early' stages of self-harm and my therapist explained it to me like this which may help you. She said...

The problem is it works, it distracts your mind, gives you something to focus on, lets the pain be physical and allows you to sloth and take care of the injury. However, it starts with just a mild injury here and there and then one day that no longer 'works' or has the same effect so you start causing more harm - more often and more severe. It's a slippery slope which you think you can control right now but you may not. Where does it end? It's not a good coping strategy and you have other skills.

She suggested holding ice cubes if the urge is really bad.

Hope this helps you as it did me x

[jwcares]

When you are feeling low and depressed, for me it felt like I was alone in a dark hole, scared and nobody cared about me, nobody could see how much I was suffering. It may feel different for you, however, what is important is for you to find someone who will listen to you and allow you to feel heard and cared about. Is there someone you trust who you can open up to? There is the route of visiting the doctors and talking it through with them, there is a charity called Harmless, you could get in touch with them. You have already posted on here, a place where people have experienced challenging times, care about you and want you to feel heard harmless.org.uk/contact

For me a very natural powerful way to work 'with' your low feeling is to look at mindfulness. Rather than feeling these feelings have taken over us, imagine it as a separate entity. At the moment that entity called 'depression' is controlling you, imagine its behind you and controlling you. When you turn to face 'depression' you then are able to separate yourself from it, face it, acknowledge it, then you can work with it and slowly learn how to manage it. If you go onto you tube and type in Mindfulness for depression, have a listen to some recordings, Jon Kabat Zinn Body Scan is brilliant practiced daily. There are many mindfulness classes around, so google mindfulness in your area if this is something that appeals. You will find whoever the teacher is, will listen to you, and have a good understanding of how our emotions affect us. Another great thing to take up is Yoga, its very much mindful movement. There are so many style of yoga from slow gentle yoga to fast paced yoga classes. Yoga/Mindfulness/Self Awareness/Self acceptance are the things that helped me kick depression for good, so I know its possible.

[Hidden]

Don't is the answer, I would give. Once you start it's really difficult to stop. It thappened to me and I wish it hadn't because I have now got scars that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Do anything you can to stop yourself getting into ,self harm. There are lists of alternatives online and try them to find something that works for you. Work out what you thi you hope to achieve from the self harm then find something which fulfills that. So if you want to feel pain hold ice, if you want your pain to be visible write in red pen on yourself, if you want. To care for yourself after the harm then rub moisturiser into the part of you that you were hoping to harm etc etc. Tell someone if you can and get them to support you when you feel like harming s that you don't do it. Good luck

[Julieanne61 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Lx91]

I think the advice given above is amazing! I think you need to seek help if you are feeling this low, get some support from your doctor.

Ice is also something I have been advised if it is pain you seek, I was told to put it on the crease where your elbow bends as this is really sensitive, this isn't a solution to your feelings but may be an aid to bridge the gap whilst you gain help and support.

L x