Jagius
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I was asked by some pretty cool imgurians to share some stuff about Self Harm.
Yes, I did make this in powerpoint. The red lines are a feature. shush
Puppy Tax
*EDIT*
Firstly, I am so incredibly happy that this has been so well received with you all. I have received a lot of messages and comments and have tried to respond to you all. Thanks to all of you who have shared this to help spread out reach. Do so freely and without asking me, I dont need any credit for this.
Secondly, a few of you have posted some international resources, so I figured I would put them here.
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14
UK - Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org - 08457 90 90 90
Russian service: 030-44 01 06 06
Also: Suicide.org has listings for every region, so if you or someone else needs help, check it out!
Also, I didnt expect this to get as big as it did. There is a lot more that can be said about self harm and its effects. I may make a larger one to give some more insight in the future. Until then, I hope this finds you well.
banicks
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14.
thatwaseasley
Very well put together, I used a few of these when I was quitting. Thanks for making this!
vegers
+1 for pup tax. Also for insightful info.
burningflame009
Diagnosis: awesome. Treatment: front page
punkybeanster
Don't forget hair pulling. =/
notablequotableupvotable
Is that a self harm thing? I never realized... But I have some eating issues and I pull my hair out when I can't binge/purge so... Wow
illegalpeanut
Eating Disorders also count as Self Harm for the record :\
punkybeanster
It's actually classified somewhere with self harm and impulse control and OCD. Trichotillomania is what it's called.
HolyHolopov
Really good post, though I feel I need to add that sometimes it CAN be 'because it's the cool thing to do' - my friend told me she did it 1
DoctorCatDog
Came here to say this. I KNOW I did it (to a mild extent) in order to fit in. Some kids really ARE looking for attention.
HolyHolopov
when she were younger, because many in her class did. Her mother noticed and got her to stop, which is lucky since self-harm is very 2
HolyHolopov
addictive. Just a reminder that young people can easily fall into that trap, so be aware if there is a wrong culture around someone you know
ginandtonic94
I don't think a lot of people understand that self harm is often used to cope w/stress/ depression. I used to prick myself w/a needle (1/?)
ginandtonic94
until I bled. By the time I was done with it I would have 10 little scabs all over either my thigh or my stomach. The point was to (2/?)
ginandtonic94
deal w/stress in a way that no one would ever see, not to kill myself or draw attention. It took me forever to realize how (3/4)
ginandtonic94
unhealthy that is and that there are other ways to deal w/stress. Thank you, OP +1 for awareness & tips (4/4)
alittlebitbattyxo
This post made me cry, I got home from the hospital last week after nearly loosing my arm due to self injury. I'm struggling so much
Jagius
I am glad that you are still with us, and that you have the courage to share this part of your story online with us
MizMariah
Tweeted to raise awareness! Thanks for the awesome post!
xerox13ster
Rmember, the UK equivalent of 911 is: 0 118 999 88 199 9119 725 3
Okiegoon
Bravo. Good post and I hope it helps some people, I'm sure it will. I've never heard of the ice cube thing before. That's awesome.
midnightmare024
When I stopped and would have an urge id donate blood. Doesn't work in every situation but it gives relief & its a good cause
Jagius
That is actually an awesome suggestion, I will have to add that to future lectures I give!
mateysaidwot
I love giving blood! :) This is really smart.
Themadhatter13
I've been told that by other people. I wish I could try that method, but as a bisexual male in the United States, tough luck.
illegalpeanut
Something new as for donating blood: You can be Gay or Bi, you just have to have Abstained for a year or more.
illegalpeanut
Still not perfect, but much better than nothing.
dragontearsturnintojellybeans
Favoriting this.. and will use this next time things get a little too much. My sincerest thanks OP.
Jagius
You are welcome :)
dancemagic
Been picking my skin all over for ten years, no idea why. I didn't know there were others who did it too until recently. (1/2)
thedovahkitty
I picked the skin around my fingers to the point where the skin grew back puffy and hard. It's too hard to stop..
dancemagic
I've tried some but not all of these. Gonna try a few more. Thank you. (2/2)
GKrollin
Wow, this is great info!
OSCgal
Upvote for valuable and helpful information.
TheCatManMightPeerIntoYourSoul
#6 makes a lot of sense to me. I've never "self-harmed" but I have done enough "widowmaker" squats (20 HEAVY reps) to be in serious pain.
canadianRN
Just adding my own thought here, but if you normally self harm in the shower/bath DON'T have a bath.
Jagius
That is an excellent addition, changing the environment around you to not be triggering is important.
jehabib
Skin picking if self harm?
Jagius
it is, including not letting the wound heal correctly (picking at scabs over and over again)
jehabib
Oh....so I do that sometimes. How do I stop? Drawing on my skin won't fix the problem....it's a habit I have.
Jagius
Therapy is always the best option for long term gains, so that is the best course of action.
jehabib
Therapy isn't an option until I graduate.
Jagius
in order to find out more about the laws surrounding treatment and/or to find treatment options in your area 2/2
Jagius
If it is because of your parents, certain states allow for confidential psychological treatment of minors, contact your local crisis line1/2
faerieofupvotes
As a cutter in remission, excellent post! Writing and doing math (weird right?) are my saving graces. 4 months clean so far!
theNeuroscientist
Regarding the why: when you cause yrself pain, brain releases endogenous opioids so that's why you feel better and why it's addictive
FluffyPelican
What the brain releases is more addictive than morphine.
theNeuroscientist
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2875354/?report=classic
CONFESSlONBEAR
Masturbating is so much easier...
IchitheKira
i once did both at once
GuerrillaChicken
Not the Same
hellafordays
Not really easier. And for me, it was the sight of blood that calmed me down.
UnfinishedUserna
Well, if you bleed when you're masturbating, you might have a problem and it would explain why it's not easier :p
TheSkeletonWar
Indeed, why self harm when you can self pleasure? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
fatoldcrazycatlady
Although things like exercise and art would have helped, they required 'effort' which I had none of due to depression. Self harm is easy.
Jagius
This is true, that can impede things. Reach out to a therapist about the depression, see what can be done for you.
iforgotmyotheraccountname
thanks for this.i went through an awful time recently and couldn't stop thinking of hurting myself.i didn't want to die, just feel another
Jagius
I am glad that this helped :)
iforgotmyotheraccountname
pain besides the emotional one that was torturing me. it gets better and the journey can be tough and feels like it will go on forever. but
iforgotmyotheraccountname
you'll be ok. i promise.
Asarina
I self-injured for 8 years. So glad I beat that addiction. Not gonna say that I still don't struggle with it sometimes, but life goes on.
mateysaidwot
Likewise. I still think about it but I don't feel I have to DO it. It's just a persistent feature of my background mental 'landscape'.
Asarina
I feel the same. I think about it daily, but I can also stop thinking about it, unlike in the past.
faerieofupvotes
I wish more people understood how it's a true addiction. Glad you're on the upswing!
Asarina
I was super addicted to S-I, more so than to anything else ever in my life. It wasn't that I wanted to do it, it was because I had to do it.
hellafordays
Same. It's been a while. Actually feeling the urge for the first time in years today. But I made a promise.
Asarina
I wish you all the best with your fight against SI. Make a promise to yourself, not for other people.
hellafordays
That wouldn't be enough. I don't care about myself. Not right now.
hellafordays
But thank you.
clamburgerqueen
It is remarkably difficult how far you can go, and how easily you can slip backwards. I'm right there with you. We got this ;)
Asarina
We've got this :)
LegenWaitForIt
I tweezer my grnitals. It hurts like a bitch, and I feel like I've accomplished something useful by the end of it.
faerieofupvotes
Not even gonna lie - my latest clean streak started when I began waxing my hoo hoo :O
bimpnottin
I've been skin picking for as long as I can remember. I never knew it was placed along side cutting, burning etc. :/
iprettymuchonlypostcats
I literally just got done using a cuticle clipper on the skin all around my nails. I don't do it to hurt myself.. just something I do 1/2
iprettymuchonlypostcats
... i didn't know it was classified as self harm..... 2/2
TokiDokiWartooth
Same here, I was so surprised :/ But it makes sense. I tend to pick at my cuticles until they hurt/bleed when I'm under stress. (sorry TMI)
kittymack
I still pick off all the skin around my finger nails till they bleed. I was a cutter 11yrs ago but ive never associated them together.
iprettymuchonlypostcats
I pick at my fingers literally all the time.. but I've never had the urge to "traditionally" self harm. Is it really the same thing?
bimpnottin
I really don't know.. I looked up 'compulsive skin picking' and internet says it's more on the OCD spectrum. I noticed I pick my skin 1/?
bimpnottin
when I'm bored or under stress but I don't think this classifies as the 'traditional' self harm. I'm more willing to accept the OCD. 2/2
iprettymuchonlypostcats
I kinda don't want to be a part of either spectrum lol I've only learned to be ashamed of it because it looks gross when I'm done
mateysaidwot
Personal experience: Exercise was ABSOLUTELY what worked best for me: I needed the violent energy and the cathartic exhaustion afterwards.
YouJustKindaWantIt
I do a handstand whenever I'm in a bad mood. It always gives me a lot of (positive) energy
cardiokillsgains
Its funny I just got out of a suicide prevention hospital on whensday
ParallelThistle
Scribbling with crayons is good too, you can go wild and then slow it down until it's just soothing
mateysaidwot
I love that. I think the cathartic value of violent, repetitive but HARMLESS motion is underestimated.
sofunsogreat
Same. Never cut but had major depression and was very angry and aggressive. Exercise propelled my recovery (and therapy too).
mateysaidwot
Likewise! except the anger and the aggression was purely towards myself. Congratulations on the kickass recovery.
KaBoomKaBoom
Same here. They used to give Gym memberships out as treatment for depression in my country but stopped 'cause of cost :(
teaspoon1731
exercise didn't help me cus i already exercised to the point of pain. i started drawing on myself instead. same motions, but no harm.
ImASexyUnicorn
I used Elmer's glue. Still get the picking sensation and it stings a bit when it comes off hair.
fantafarta
I don't know why, but drawing has never worked for m :(
teaspoon1731
the rubber band thing did nothing for me. you just gotta find something that works for you <3
mateysaidwot
Absolutely. I firmly believe that you stick with what works harmlessly for you, even if it's not conventional.
teaspoon1731
it's an addiction, and like any other, you just need to break the cycle. anything that gets you through it is good.
UnicornBrains
Same. It directs and releases my anger. Better than therapy at times.
Minkers
I got a tattoo on my leg where I used to cut. Now every time I want to cut, I worry I'll mess up the tattoo.
minipancho94
it would also help if someone pushes themselves, the sore muscles and the pain from that could help and be productive as well.
ImAlwaysContentWithCatContent
i always feel like ice cubes or paint won't do the trick. but this encouraged me to do my best and at least try it next time.. thank you.
Jagius
not everything works for everyone, but hopefully a combination of things will help you through.
kittymack
The rubber band snapping together with red biro markings helped me the most :)
mateysaidwot
It might not be the right stop-gap for you. Ice cubes and paint didn't work for me either, but other things absolutely did. Keep looking! :)
ImAlwaysContentWithCatContent
i'll try, thanks :)
divabutterfly
First you have to be able to identify what the self-harm does for you; what brings the relief? The pain? The blood? The scars? The 1/?
divabutterfly
reactions of others? Once you know the positive reinforcer, you can come up with an alternative. If it's pain - ice and rubber bands 2/?
divabutterfly
if it's blood, drawing with red marker, or making ice cubes with red food coloring, and letting it melt down your arm can help. 3/?
divabutterfly
If it's the scars, you can work on recreating them with stage makeup. Like I said, it'll depend on what self-harm does for you...
issuschka
I wish my therapist would have told me this when I was still self-harming :-(
mateysaidwot
Caveat: I DO recommend seeing a therapist these days! But it used to be difficult to find one that grasped the heart of the actual problem.
Bb4816
I could never even admit it to my psychologist or pyschatrist... Anyway, I'm glad you apparently rose above that
notablequotableupvotable
I would like to see one if these for purging. My therapist just tells me not to do it and it's not as simple as that
YouCantFireMeIQuit
next time it happens, try writing down how you were feeling, what was going on (trigger), and think about things you could have done instead
notablequotableupvotable
Thank you
YouCantFireMeIQuit
you're welcome. also tell your therapist you're still having trouble and need more concrete direction. goals for therapy are important. :)
divabutterfly
The above comment is great! Write who you were with, what you were doing, thoughts running through your head, body sensations, and 1/2
divabutterfly
emotions. This helps figure out some of your triggers. Also, focus on distracting yourself fully when you have the urge to purge. 2/3
divabutterfly
You just have to ride out the urge; research shows that most urges pass within 15 minutes, so you just have to try to distract over 3/4
divabutterfly
and over again until the urge passes. It can be difficult, but is totally possible...
ManyOfThemManyMuchMoosen
Yea I never heard any of these. I stopped cutting a while ago but started picking my skin which I realized recently was a substitute :/
mateysaidwot
Oh, 10/15 yrs ago this was all so misunderstood. I got referred due to what ER mistook for a suicide attempt, my therapist was a nightmare.
kittymack
I would say it's more 15 years ago because when I was cutting 11 yrs ago my psychologist gave me these exact coping strategies.
CockOrBall
+1 for delivering, I came here from your comment thread. GG OP.
Jagius
It took me a bit to get written up, but I am happy to help out!
Scoopsy
Thanks alot for the information :)
runswithlag
Very much worth your time! Thanks for doing what you can to help!
mateysaidwot
Just chiming in with another very sincere THANK YOU.