Strategies for not self harming

Post Reply New Topic

I know it can be useful to self harm for some people, but I'm trying to stop. When I get the urge, if my bf is around, I hold his hands. He's been very supportive of me. When he's not there, I try to distract myself (which is hard, as I fixate on things). I have a punching bag in my house, as well, that helps.

Does anyone have any ideas on things to do when outside of the home and away from my partner?

Last edited by puddingmouse on 22 Aug 2012, 10:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Forget strategies, how about getting rid of the REASON you want to do it. Why is it you do it? Are you upset about something? What is it you are upset about? Did someone say something to make you angry? If so, how about take it up with that person (rather than your bf) and see if you can solve it?

I don't honestly know exactly why I want to do it.

I just get really angry at the world and take it out on myself. I hate myself, sometimes.

I don't know why I SI either. I play with my dog and take her for walks. I exercise. At my worst I drink scotch and smoke weed. I've got very little in the way of strategies to avoid using SI. I babysit for free because I know it lessens the urge and I'd never self-injure when I'm temporarily responsible for the well being of kids.

I've made a lot of friends with elderly neighbors and I do chores for them or spend time with them and in those periods of time I know I'll resist. I read to this guy with poor vision up the road, he has loads of newspapers and magazines he likes to keep up with.

When school starts hopefully that'll serve as a distraction/alternative.

I know talking to certain people makes it less likely. It would help if I could phone a family member any time, but they are often busy and I'd have to think of a reason to randomly phone them and start talking rubbish.

I do self injure at work, though. I get the urge, resist it when I have company. Then at break, I lock myself in the toilet and do it.

working out
going for a jog or run
working over a punching bag
mowing the lawn
any activity that takes a lot of energy
If I feel like self harming in a more sever way, Ill run as if I was being chased by wild dogs.
Its hard to self harm if you to exhausted to stand.

This is true. But what about work, or shopping, or public transport?

Are you seeing anyone? If your having that much self harm issues, it might be worth talking to someone.

I've been on the waiting list to see a therapist for 9 months, now.

At work I hold it together till lunch I can, If not I make it look accidental slip in the rest room or cut on sharp steel.
Shopping in lager stores Ill put my cart by the bath room "so they don't try to put my stuff back" Slip out back do what I need to do them go back in.
I drive my self so I don't know about public transport.

sometimes when im really stressed I punch my self in the head. I dont know why I dont think about it just happens.

keeping in mind that if i deliberately harm my own body, i can't go to the body shop and get a replacement part for the one i harmed. i am stuck with the results of my self-harm so i must avoid such behavior at all costs.

I'm afraid I don't have any good strategies. I do have some strategies that involve keeping my hands active so I can't hurt myself - but for me all any strategy does, in the end, is delay the inevitable (and often make it more serious).

Currently desperately trying to avoid taking another overdose and the only way I am managing that is by self harming in other ways.

Told my husband about my SH earlier this week and that has also made me want to SH more ... but I feel even worse about doing it than normal because now I have to work harder to hide it.

I'm going away for the weekend and hope that the change of scene will help reduce the current urges somewhat - because frankly they're out of control and if I wasn't going away this weekend I'd be seriously tempted to seek admittance to psychiatric hospital to keep me safe until my psych appt next Thursday morning. (My GP discussed this option with my psychiatrist when he spoke to her yesterday).

Wish I could just stop it - I hate that I do it. I think the only way to quit SH is with professional help. Unfortunately I'm still on the waiting list for that ... hopefully not much longer.

Find a quiet corner and try to compose yourself. I also try to stay away from mirrors

Am sorry I don't have any strategies to cope with SH, but I am really proud of all of you who have spoken up about it here - that's the first step to trying to work on it... you have at least reached the stage where you know it is a problem, and you've asked for help - that's a big step, because from what I remember about it, it tends to be very hidden. So bravo - at least you've reached this point!

The things I found helped most were:
Going inpatient. It was not primarily for cutting but I learned a little about coping without it and underlying triggers.
Finding a support group. I had problems getting to a mental health support group so I went to a chemical dependency group that could support me. It is an addiction after all.
The last one is I had to get rid of all kinds of sharp/pointed items at times. I temporarily got rid of a throwing knife, a nice multi tool pocket knife, hobby knives, a couple computer repair tools, a couple bayonets (but not the rifles because I didn't have an issue with those)...everything but this one fairly dull little swiss army knife.

Once you see a therapist, you might want to inquire about setting up a system with your boyfriend to be your accountability partner.