Safe alternative?!
Question: i am a former self-mutilator, and i am going through some tough times. for the first time in 1-1/2 years i have the urge to cut myself again. i am not asking for reasons not to do it, i am not asking why its bad, this isn't a pity post. i am simply asking for suggestions on alternatives to cutting. please, no lectures, comments about stupidity, etc. i really dont need it right now.
Answers: i am a former self-mutilator, and i am going through some tough times. for the first time in 1-1/2 years i have the urge to cut myself again. i am not asking for reasons not to do it, i am not asking why its bad, this isn't a pity post. i am simply asking for suggestions on alternatives to cutting. please, no lectures, comments about stupidity, etc. i really dont need it right now.
I could give you a list of things I've heard of or have known people to use instead of self harming, but instead I will direct you to
http://www.siari.co.uk/Links_pages/Self-...
This site links numerous sites that have self harming alternatives.
I know people can overcome this urge, though I also know it takes a great deal of time.
In times of stress we all tend to go back to activities, no matter how unwise or unuseful, that are comfortable to us.
Making it through this time without harming yourself may be difficult. However, it will also make you that much more confident that the next time you are in a high stress situation you can make different and safer choices.
I realize that there are probably "deeper" issues, but for those who self harm, those issues can be anything that causes stress, and stress is something that will continue to exist. It is the ability to learn new coping methods that is, in my opinion, the important thing for those who self harm.
As far as stupidity comments, there is no correlation between intelligence and self harm. There is, however, a correlation between one's own lack of self esteem and the need to make others feel bad.
I wish you the best.
Become a butcher and cut something else instead.
Exercise, go for a walk, a run anything to get your body moving.
well i used to cut my self a bunch too.
at one point i ended up in the hospital.
and they taught me that if you take a rubber band and put it around your wrist, you can oull it and flick yourself with it.
trust me, it gives you the same satisfaction and it is safe!
Well You could try writing poetry about how you feel or youcould draw pictures, Write Songs, Find a Place where you can hang out and not feel that way, Turn Your Music Up REALLY Loud and dance to it! Join a Band Take a Walk Get Involved in Theatre (loads of fun!) Try to find a hobby that your interested in and you can make friends in so you can distract yourself from your "cutter thoughts"
Trying really hard to think of something to suggest, but since I've not done that myself it's not that easy. I guess by being on here it might at least fill in the time and possibly it'll go away, although I suspect it's not that easy.
Maybe you need something to act as a substitute like say a form ball I think I suggested to one person - something that you can either cut or press hard into and release it that way without injuring you. Hope someone can come up with an idea that'll work as I hate to think of you sliding back into that...
cutting is the symptom, not the actual problem. I think if there were an alternative you would have found that first, don't you? I mean cutting is pretty much to the far extreme of dealing with psychological issues.
If your problem was with food and you loved twinkies but they made you fat, and I suggested ho-hos you would find that they too make you fat.
My suggestion is this figure out why you do it and give up on a substitute. Everyone has thier "thing" and even if you could swap it for something like exercise you would probably do it in excess b/c you are using to treat a real issue.
I am not telling you go to therapy, but if you want to you should. Just do something for yourself in this area. Often times therapists only listen, so listen to yourself... Why do you do it. Deal with that and hopefully you won't want to cut anymore.
Go for a run.
Take a very hot bath.
Bake something.
Surround yourself with friends and family.
Most importantly-go speak with a professional if none of these work.
These things have worked for me in the past but I didn't have that exact behavior.
I hope you feel better and ignore whatever nonsense others post with bad intentions.
the reason why ur cutting urself is that you are not challenged both physically and mentally. once ur challenged, you wouldn't have time or probably too tired and sleep instead of cutting. but please, it is really bad for your body to cut yourself, you might even end up with skin cancer.
when you really have an urge just sit down think about nothing a cry. it sounds silly but is a lot safer then cutting, talk to yourself out loud about how you feel. listen to yourself and see just how much your problem is not worth hurting yourself for.
Hey don't worry i've been there done that too. I understand the addiction, especially when times get tough. I've made it 8 months! It hasn't always been easy, but here are some things that have helped me:
-writing poetry
-praying (i know it sounds corny, but it does help, especially with the venting)
-grab a notebook with a pen and just scribble, draw if you like, write some poetry, or write all the good things in your life (even if you have to sit down and really think)
here's my email: liveon179@yahoo.com....if you feel like you want to talk, email me...i do know what you're goin through to some extent. but congrats on a year and a half. that's really impressive and inspirational.