I just feel shit and to be honest have had crazy thoughts about hurting myself! I don't know who should I go to! Any suggestions?

[Pekena]

[jonnywombat]

Hi Penka,

First of all you are not crazy. Many people have thoughts about hurting themselves, self harm is a way of coping with emotional pain.

The first place to go to is your GP, they can be very helpful, and offer an range of help.

Also a friend who you can confide in is always helpful, but my experience is that you have to choose carefully, particularly if you share with them your thoughts about hurting yourself, as this can be difficult for others to understand.

Hope that helps

Jonny

[ToniaMarie35]

I have had thoughts too and I have never followed up on them because I have people that love me and I don't want to see them go through that pain and also leave my family with my debts, do u think that's fair?!! I have been having a rough time since I was a teenager, the last 2 years or so have been terrible and lately I'm an emotional wreck, but I do have a counselor, I go for walks to distress, talk to friends and my rock...my boyfriend. Have u been to a doctor, talked to your family, have close friends to talk to...because I tell you that talking can take alot of weight off your shoulders. But u also need to tell a doctor, maybe try group therapy and meditation, find a hobby. You are not alone, I'm not on this site long but I love to hear advice and talk just as much to receive it!!! I have alot of bad days, but that's going to happen because your mind is not in the right place right now, and it causes havoc on your health too...this has happened to me. I hope this is helpful and things get better for you, it may take awhile but u gotta want to do it, push yourself sometimes....take it slowly day by day. And remember I am here okay? Take care,

Tonia

[downandout]

Hi Penka I am with Jonny on this one,

but would add that if you are under a mental health team to ask them for help and if not and you go to the doctor and they say that they dont have enough information to help you then ask for them to refer you onto mental health.

The thing is a lot of people think i don't want to be under them as then people will think i am crazy but the truth is they deal with these issues all the time and they are the best ones to handle it and give you coping ideas and the correct medication if needed.

You also need to think about the way in which you are looking at harming yourself there are so many forms of self harm, I used to rip all my toenails off and cut off all my hair it took me a long time to change the habit and now instead of chopping my hair i actually dye it sounds strange but it worked for me.

When I was under mental health the CPN told me of a way that they teach cutters to try to stop it is by either putting a rubber band around your wrist and pinging it so it hurts, however cutters have told me this does not work, but the other one she told me i have heard does work and that is to get an ice cube and to hold onto it tight in the palm of your hand close your hand tight and well it starts to almost feel like it is burning and it seems to have the same affect as cutting, and its worth a go when you are feeling this way rather than end up with scars all over your body and a hedgehog haircut and yes i have seen one where the girl had cut it so badly she had big bald patches, in a sad way i kind of hope that makes you laugh about the haircut that is

Remember this though your not alone and your thoughts are very real they are trying to help you release that pain that you have trapped inside you but we are all here to help you and support you and really hope that you can get the correct help but if you have to wait please do try the ice cube idea and let us know how you get along because if it works then maybe we can tell others and help them to, I really hope you start to feel better soon remember some days are good some ok some bad and some are just beyond bad but if your struggling then reach out if you cant get anyone here try the mental health crisis line

Helen xx

[missrat]

Hi

I'm sorry things are so difficult. People are so shocked by the concept of self-harm - yet think nothing of someone going out and drowning their sorrows in drink. Both are coping mechanisms which do work - for a little while, but have immediate side-effects (hangover or guilt and hiding) and long-term (liver damage or infection etc.) Both can become addictive, and tend to become the first thing to come into our minds when we are stressed, depressed etc. I first harmed (scratching and very mild cutting) when I was 58. I go long periods without, but still get the urge.

For me, I try to use sensory things to distract me - aromas, sounds (relaxing music), taste (ginger), things to feel (onyx egg etc.), things to look at (photos etc.) plus my animals to pay with (pet rats), and a collection of verbal howlers etc.

I do hope you can work out some 'safety things' which appeal to your way of thinking. It's good to use them on good days as well.

You might find some useful information on some good websites - lifesigns.org.uk, siari.co.uk, nhsn.co.uk

Take care

Ann

[annielawrie]

Oh Penka,i have been there,you need to go to your GP,tell how you feel ,and ask for a referel to the mental health team,i do believe that that depression hits the people that have been strong for to long,keep i touch ,it will get better,Hugs xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I also agree with jonny but would add that you may find it helpful to google self-harm and read about the theories. Understanding some of the reasons why we do what we do can really help as it acts as a means of making sense which makes a lot of the actions less necessary. There are also specialist therapy services to deal with eating disorders and depending where you live there may be one available near you, sometimes it's a clinical psychologist and other times it's a full service like there is in Liverpool and also in Manchester. You could research your local NHS online and put in self-harm to see if anything comes up, alternatively ask the local branch of Mind as they tend to know about services.

Sue