| HELPING YOURSELF Most self-harm works on the basis that self-harm is a coping strategy and an outlet for emotional distress.Its therfore important to seek help for underlying issues, for which self-harm may merely be symptomatic. Seeking professional help will also help reduce the liklihood of self-harming again in the future, There are ways of helping yourself in the meantime, however... |
| Talk to someone who understands- a friend, or trusted relative or teacher. Make use of Internet groups, message boards and chat features listed here. Try to find other ways to express emotions and relieve tension- try the distractions listed here. Try to delay self-harming for a short time (e.g. start with 10 minutes and increase this gradually). If the urge is just too great, please ensure your safety by knowing what to do in an emergency, keeping any cutting equipment clean, keeping wounds clean and dressed properly. Try to set yourself limits before you begin. Make sure you have plenty of first aid supplies, |
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| TIPS & TRICKS... Keep a list of helpful phone numbers (ie 3 good friends and a helpline or therapists number) and keep them with you at all times. Throwing away razors etc- doesn't work for everyone, but i find not keeping them on me helps (especially when i go out cos i'm more likely to SI when drunk) Let people know if you are having a hard time (before you snap!) Keep a first aid kit (again doesnt work for everyone- my mind tends to think 'well if thats there i can h*rm and i'll b ok and no-one will know') DISTRACTIONS! |
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| READY TO STOP? The first step is to ADMIT that there is a problem. Try to understand that hurting yourself in this way isn't a normal or useful way of dealing with things. No-one should have to go through life thinking that inflicting pain on themselves is a way to stay sane or stop themselves killing themselves. Whether you admit this to a parent, friend, random person on the Internet or even a diary doesn't matter. Doing this may help you tell yourself that something isn't ok. Next it's time to sort out getting help. The best way of doing this is to tell an ADULT you trust. This part is also really hard cos often it's difficult to find a helpful person, let alone find the words to tell them. But i promise that once you do it will be worth it... even if the first person you find isn't as helpful as they might be. Keep trying and you will find a way :) I remember this part feeling like i was some kind of parcel that was just being passed along from person to person and no-one actually seemed to be helping. It takes time, but again please persist. If you think that therapy isn't helping, please don't give up on it- listen to what they say and try to be co-operative- they are trying to help you! The next bit is letting your trusted adult/ therapist in. Try to pour out memories and feelings, and try to identify what triggers your SI now. Opening up takes time, but the more you try, the easier it gets. Once they know something about you, you can start to feel more comfortable with them. Next i suppose is starting to stop your self-injury.. different methods work for different people, and only you can really work that out (with professional guidance) and time and lots of support... good luck! |
| * Help! * |