How can I help my friend stop cutting?!


Question: How can I help my friend stop cutting?
My best friend has been going through some really bad times, and she has started cutting. I am the only one that she has told and that she trust. She wants to stop but she won't. I have tryed to get her to tell an adult about it and try to get help, but she is too concerned about her mother finding out and being disapointed in her.

Answers:

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Replace her skin with metal



The first thing you need to do is tell someone about this, even if it means breaking her trust. Cutting gets worse and worse as time goes on, so she needs to stop as soon as possible.
You also have to be supportive of her and try to keep her from cutting through persuasion. Also, tell her that you're there for her if she needs someone to talk to (which you probably are already.) Let her talk about all her problems that are bothering her. Then maybe give her a hug. You can also research into methods of quitting.
I've heard of friends holding other friends "accountable." I don't know how that works, though. I'm guessing that the friend must report that they cut to the friend holding them accountable.



The first thing you need to understand is this disorder has nothing to do with cutting except it is the outward manifestation of a lot of inward pain. So in order for a cutter to stop, she needs to deal with her internal pain, and learn new coping skills for when she feels emotional pain. This is very hard to treat, but it can be treated. There is nothing you can do to make her stop, she is the only one who can stop, and she will not stop unless she is ready to get help. Offer her help, focus on the real issue her emotional pain, don't focus on what that pain looks like scared across her arms.



its not as simple as just stopping.

just be there for her, tell her to call you if shes feeling upset and remind her that she can tell anything to you.
don't tell an adult unless she is cutting very badly/deeply or is suicidal, it will ruin her trust with you and could make everything worse, its not your secret to tell. you need to help her get help, tell her you love her and that everything will be OK, but that she needs to get help from professionals.



i believe everyone is different and her situation probably has a lot to do with this so my advice is very vague and I'm sorry for that. I have ad some friends that were cutters and the only thing tha all of them had in commen (when talking about stopping) is I tried to show them their self-worth. When they realized that they weren't alone, that they had value as a person, and that cutting didn't fix anything, they were more willing to stop. Or, at least allow outside help. I really hope you can reach your friend, but if it gets worse you need to tell an adult who can help her.



Tell a responsible adult today. Some people cut a long time just scratches and superficial incisions but this often leads to suicidal attempts. Should she have a really bad day, she could do her self serious harm. She maybe crying to you for help. So get her some help. It is better to have her angry and alive than dead with your loyalty.

Mental Health Social Services



Tell another adult who can help. Like a teacher or somebody really helpful to you in life and get them to talk to her




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