cutting- new therapy?

[JillLars]

donnie, have you been treated for OCD? The fact that the mutilation was taking place on a very constant basis, rather than when you were just upset or depressed makes me think that it probably has a lot to do with OCD, but I'm not a dr. OCD can be treated, so if you're not being treated I'd suggest seeing a dr. and finding out what they can do to help you.

My sister has bipolar disorder and would cut herself a lot. I remember having to literally break down her door and pull the steak knife out of her hands and carry her to the bathroom to wash clean the wounds on her arms. I don't know how long she did it, and I don't know how it started, but she has scars on her arms and legs that will be there forever. She doesn't cut anymore, she is on medication now for her bipolar. If you're having a problem with SI, try to get in to see a doc, and find out if there is a disorder that can be treated, it may help. I will pray for all of you!

 

[LaurenElizabeth]

I went to a counsler because i was doing that stuff. There is NO WAY it can be considered good in any way shape or form!

 

[mpshiel]

My counsellor asked me if I would have the scars removed if I could and I didn't think so. To do that would be like saying that all that pain didn't ever exist. It would be a lie. A lot of times I felt that SI was closer to the truth, in that there was finally something outside to show what was going on inside.

Is it a good idea......nope. But probably like many people who do it, I had no idea that anyone else did it until long after I had started. I started cutting at five. I really wish I had an answer but I can tell you that telling yourself over and over that if you had a better relationship with God then he would heal you or you wouldn't do it or the problem would be gone is a good way to give yourself a case of the guilts. Which is easily cured by more cutting...whoops, now I need to feel guilty again. (insert sad laughter here).

 

[angelstarlette]

I was also a cutter at one time. I would not say that cutting should be encouraged because it is very hard to stop once started. At the time that I cut I was in an abusive relationship, although I did not know what to call the relationship. I cut because I felt so bad about myself because of the abuse. It was a way for me to let out the feelings I could not express. I have read a lot on the subject. Most people tend to cut during really stressful and emotional times because it relieves feelings right away. It is definitely not a healthy activity though. I am not saying cutting is awful or anything because the last thing a self-injurer needs is to be condemned more.

SI is definitely very addictive, sort of like drugs and alcohol. The only difference is that is it is on the outside for all to see. It is like seeing someone's pain. Many people get scared of other people's pain. I cannot say I was proud of my SI but it did get me through a very tough time. I was very close to suicide.

But that is also another misconception about SI is that people are trying to commit suicide with it. SI is different from suicide in that the person does not want to die, they just want to get rid of the pain they feel. Although sometimes people who SI do commit suicide through an accident with SI or a serious attempt it should not be viewed hand and hand.

SI should not be encouraged though. It should be handled very gently.

 

[DonnieDarko]

donnie, have you been treated for OCD? The fact that the mutilation was taking place on a very constant basis, rather than when you were just upset or depressed makes me think that it probably has a lot to do with OCD, but I'm not a dr. OCD can be treated, so if you're not being treated I'd suggest seeing a dr. and finding out what they can do to help you.

My sister has bipolar disorder and would cut herself a lot. I remember having to literally break down her door and pull the steak knife out of her hands and carry her to the bathroom to wash clean the wounds on her arms. I don't know how long she did it, and I don't know how it started, but she has scars on her arms and legs that will be there forever. She doesn't cut anymore, she is on medication now for her bipolar. If you're having a problem with SI, try to get in to see a doc, and find out if there is a disorder that can be treated, it may help. I will pray for all of you!

ive been treated for ocd but i dont take my medicine. because it dont work. i think the doctors make you think itll work so you think it works but it really dont. so im on my own. im gone to battle myself - got my razor sharp helmet, a pillow as a shield and im chargin' in! :-S
ur sister has bipolar? i didnt know that bipolars cut themselves too. woah. i must get out more often.
but i guess they do because they 'go off' sometimes. not good
sorry bout that.
stupid little things make me mad and i take it out on myself! how dumb of me. like today . . i was writing something and my pen wouldnt write on that type of paper. it was a sticker really. and i got mad at it. i started writing on the top of my hand and all over my hand. it still didnt write on the sticker. so i hit myself with the pen on the hand and now i have sore places. its embarassing and stupid. and i broke the tip of the pen!
but thats a minor episode. the episodes get much worse too. i cant cook because if something goes wrong and i get upset, the kitchen wears whatever i was cooking. well, so do i for an odd reason, seeing something break when im mad makes me feel better. and feeling the pain makes me calm down.
but doctors dont help much. they give u medicine, send u to a psychologist and let u go from there. the psy helps but what do i do when i cant see one anymore? another thing on my mind - im still living at home with mom and dad and im under my dads insurance. it runs out in january. i dont have a job. i can get one but im still hoping to take care of some personal problems before i do. but i dont know what to do. i need to see my counselor but what if the insurance runs out? i cant get a good enough job that will pay for it.
this is horrible. im leaving. (but ill be back later).

 

[msjones21]

How did such a totally sick practice start?Blood-letting is a satanic practice and is practiced in worship services held by members of the satanic church.During their services,they kill animals and sometimes unwanted human babies by cutting of the throat.As the blood flows out it is collected in a large cup and is used in the worship service.It is Satan who has made blood-letting so popular because in his mind it's a very sick and perverted take-off of the Christian belief that Jesus shed His blood for His children.

That is not a ritual started by the Satanists. Satanists do not participate in blood-letting or human sacrifice. Some practicing Vampyres do and also Luciferians; however, despite popular misconception, Satanists do not worship Satan regardless of what their name would infer.

 

[Nico]

I've never cut myself, oh take that back, I did try a few times. But I couldn't do it. I have a vaso-vegal (sp?) response to punctures so I faint. I digress....what I wanted to say is that I can't completely relate to cutting, b/c I don't really do it. But I get some of those same feelings, like you expressed, Donnie....Actually some of the mental things you described are similar to my ex-boyfriend's deal. He's bipolar, but doesn't take meds b/c they don't work for him either. He does a lot of drugs, though, and said that doing acid tends to exacerbate his problems. He still does them tho....

Some docs tried to put me on meds for regular depression. They also said I suffered from low self-esteem. What does that REALLY mean, anyway? I don't take meds, and I'm not seeing any professionals right now. I guess I'm trying to do this on my own--with God. I really am trying to do all that "give it over to Him" stuff. I'll probably always deal with depression all my life, which doesn't seem completely horrible. Sometimes it gives me material to work with in my art...

 

[DonnieDarko]

I've never cut myself, oh take that back, I did try a few times. But I couldn't do it. I have a vaso-vegal (sp?) response to punctures so I faint. I digress....what I wanted to say is that I can't completely relate to cutting, b/c I don't really do it. But I get some of those same feelings, like you expressed, Donnie....Actually some of the mental things you described are similar to my ex-boyfriend's deal. He's bipolar, but doesn't take meds b/c they don't work for him either. He does a lot of drugs, though, and said that doing acid tends to exacerbate his problems. He still does them tho....

Some docs tried to put me on meds for regular depression. They also said I suffered from low self-esteem. What does that REALLY mean, anyway? I don't take meds, and I'm not seeing any professionals right now. I guess I'm trying to do this on my own--with God. I really am trying to do all that "give it over to Him" stuff. I'll probably always deal with depression all my life, which doesn't seem completely horrible. Sometimes it gives me material to work with in my art...

oh g. im sorry thats happened to your exbf. i dont do drugs but im starting to think that if i did it would make me better. not going to tho because i refuse to get in trouble with authorities. drugs is illegal where i live. well, those kinds are. not prescriptions.
my doctors swear that i only have ocd. i knew from the start that there was more to it. it might be a bipolar thing. i dunno if thats it or if it something else. i think its something else but the doctors wont listen to me. theyve diagnosed me and they're stickin' to it. i know ive been misdiagnosed. but if they would give me the correct medicine to take care of my problem then it might actually help (knock knock? hello doctors!? *pecks on monitor*).
you use your depression in art? neat-o. how handy dandy!
what kind of art? u dont have to tell, only if u want to. curiosity is in the air.

 

[Nico]

you use your depression in art? neat-o. how handy dandy!
what kind of art? u dont have to tell, only if u want to. curiosity is in the air. [/QUOTE]




Well....I use my depression in a lot of ways in regards to my art. Often as a release, an expression of what I'm feeling or questioning, and/or to get my mind off of my feelings. After a low period I'll often use a lot of the pondering or questioning in some of my work. Sometimes when I'm depressed, and I can't sleep I'll just get up and start painting, sometimes it ends up as ****, but sometimes it's got something.

I paint and I sculpt. I've been getting into fabric sculptures lately. Most of my work tends to be in the vein of abstract expressionism, but I work in some other styles, like hyper-realistic or dreamy/surreal...whatever moves me I guess...Lately I've been exploring issues of femininity, what it is and all that. Like what would estrogen be, personafied? Without all the societal mores? I could talk on and on about art, so I think I'll just stop here

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

Okay, just a quick aside..... for the non-cutters who posted early in this thread (ie: Satanism/Baal/Leviticus): I've never cut, but I've known a lot of people who did..... cutters often cut either because a) it lets them "release" strong emotions they feel they can't "let out" or b) because they feel they need to punish themselves. Cutting causes the body to release endorphins as a pain response, which brings about mild feelings of euphoria, and as such can become habit forming.

Now... given that folks who do this are often dealing with feelings of guilt and self-hatred, is associating what they do with Satanic practices or Old testament idolatry going to be helpful? You wouldn't tell a person who's considering suicide "well, yeah, your life IS pretty empty..."

Well, SOMEONE out there might, but in that event they'd be advised to put down the crack pipe..... which, to get back to the original topic, is what the Doctor in the opening post needs to do.

I have a friend who's a councelor, and we've talked about this some.... something he recommends to cutters is to grip an ice cube when they feel the need to cut, as a way to "ween" themselves off the endorphin effect without hurting themselves. It's something I might suggest to the cutters here....

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

I paint and I sculpt. I've been getting into fabric sculptures lately. Most of my work tends to be in the vein of abstract expressionism, but I work in some other styles, like hyper-realistic or dreamy/surreal...whatever moves me I guess...Lately I've been exploring issues of femininity, what it is and all that. Like what would estrogen be, personafied? Without all the societal mores? I could talk on and on about art, so I think I'll just stop here

do you have any posted anywhere?

 

[DonnieDarko]

you use your depression in art? neat-o. how handy dandy!
what kind of art? u dont have to tell, only if u want to. curiosity is in the air.

Well....I use my depression in a lot of ways in regards to my art. Often as a release, an expression of what I'm feeling or questioning, and/or to get my mind off of my feelings. After a low period I'll often use a lot of the pondering or questioning in some of my work. Sometimes when I'm depressed, and I can't sleep I'll just get up and start painting, sometimes it ends up as ****, but sometimes it's got something.

I paint and I sculpt. I've been getting into fabric sculptures lately. Most of my work tends to be in the vein of abstract expressionism, but I work in some other styles, like hyper-realistic or dreamy/surreal...whatever moves me I guess...Lately I've been exploring issues of femininity, what it is and all that. Like what would estrogen be, personafied? Without all the societal mores? I could talk on and on about art, so I think I'll just stop here[/QUOTE]
WOW!
I like to paint. i like to color too. i go online and get the print and color pages
i like art a lot. many of my friends dont see the beauty in the things i see beauty in. they call me nuts. im not. im just a little different.
sculpt? i have play doh. i dont have any sculpting mud. but itll work. maybe ill start sculpting too!

 

[DonnieDarko]

woops something went wrong in my quote up there. sorry.

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

i like art a lot. many of my friends dont see the beauty in the things i see beauty in. they call me nuts. im not. im just a little different.

Welcome to the club

 

[Nico]

I'm getting a digital camera for christmas and then I will be able to post my work.

yah, a lot of people think I'm weird too, b/c I see things differently, but now I'm so glad for that....I definitely wouldn't change that about myself. I'd rather be the oddest person and have a creative side than be "normal". In fact, normal freaks me out. Art, is, anyway, a way of seeing things differently. It's being able to see a face not as just eyes and nose and lips, but planes, and lines, and shadows--all these abstract forms that come together and make an amazing image.

The great thing about art today is that the boundries are becoming so much more blurred. You don't even have to make a sculpture out of "traditional" materials. I would play with play-doh and whatever else you come across. I've been doing fabric sculptures lately, which I love. In fact, there's this artist, her name is Tara Donovan and she makes sculptures out of everyday objects that she finds, very banal stuff, and turns it into these amazing pieces. She did one piece out of clear plastic straws that she piled ontop of one another, against a wall, and pulled some out so that it had this undulating effect and it ended up looking like this mist or a vapor. Really beautifull.

But yeah, if I was "normal" I think I get really bored really quickly....

 

[Debbi]

Does anybody know if any of the talk show ever talk about cutters? I saw just a part of a show the other day. The lady showed her scars on t.v. and talked about when she was on t.v. earlier. She also had an eating disorder, though. There just isn't much on t.v. about cutters, though. Cutting can be more addictive and hard to give up than smoking. People usually have to try to face the reason they cut but not why they smoke, though. Why is it easier to cut and not feel it much but it don't work for getting burned. I got burned yesterday but it hurt alot but when I cut, I could control the feelings at times. It is also scarry in a way to watch my arm bleed and not feel it though.

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

Does anybody know if any of the talk show ever talk about cutters? I saw just a part of a show the other day. The lady showed her scars on t.v. and talked about when she was on t.v. earlier. She also had an eating disorder, though. There just isn't much on t.v. about cutters, though.

May be for the best. Talk shows have a nasty tendancy to act as a socially acceptable "freak show".

But then, I could be bitter because I'm a Goth and we had a rough time of it on talk shows for a while..... I know they're not ALL that way, but I do trust Jenny Jones about as far as I can throw her....

Cutting can be more addictive and hard to give up than smoking. People usually have to try to face the reason they cut but not why they smoke, though. Why is it easier to cut and not feel it much but it don't work for getting burned. I got burned yesterday but it hurt alot but when I cut, I could control the feelings at times. It is also scarry in a way to watch my arm bleed and not feel it though.

Makes sense... chemically, you're more or less getting a dose of morphine when you cut. It's understandable that it'd be hard to "kick".

BTW, I have to say I really have to hand it to everyone here who's been up front and talked about this even when people don't "get it". You guys are in my thoughts often and I just want to encourage you that you're not "freaks" or weirdos, even if a lot of church folk aren't prepared to deal with this.....

 

[EliasEmmanuel]

yah, a lot of people think I'm weird too, b/c I see things differently, but now I'm so glad for that....I definitely wouldn't change that about myself. I'd rather be the oddest person and have a creative side than be "normal". In fact, normal freaks me out. Art, is, anyway, a way of seeing things differently. It's being able to see a face not as just eyes and nose and lips, but planes, and lines, and shadows--all these abstract forms that come together and make an amazing image.

Beautifully put

The great thing about art today is that the boundries are becoming so much more blurred. You don't even have to make a sculpture out of "traditional" materials. I would play with play-doh and whatever else you come across. I've been doing fabric sculptures lately, which I love. In fact, there's this artist, her name is Tara Donovan and she makes sculptures out of everyday objects that she finds, very banal stuff, and turns it into these amazing pieces. She did one piece out of clear plastic straws that she piled ontop of one another, against a wall, and pulled some out so that it had this undulating effect and it ended up looking like this mist or a vapor. Really beautifull.

That's cool ... I've been experimenting a lot with assemblage/found objects lately, and I'm loving it.....

 

[Debbi]

I watched "7th Heaven" today and it was about a girl who was a cutter. Anybody seen that show?

 

[Hopeful]

Does anybody know if any of the talk show ever talk about cutters? I saw just a part of a show the other day. The lady showed her scars on t.v. and talked about when she was on t.v. earlier. She also had an eating disorder, though. There just isn't much on t.v. about cutters, though. Cutting can be more addictive and hard to give up than smoking. People usually have to try to face the reason they cut but not why they smoke, though. Why is it easier to cut and not feel it much but it don't work for getting burned. I got burned yesterday but it hurt alot but when I cut, I could control the feelings at times. It is also scarry in a way to watch my arm bleed and not feel it though.

self-injury is still somewhat a taboo in society, some people think its for atention and some people think its just failed suicide attempt, i am sure there is more help on the internet. i pull my hair and (nobody hold this against me) but i'm bald. self-inury is somewhat a coping mechanism, you feel better after doing but feel bad about doing it, are u getting help? i stopped getting any help cos none was working, and now i cant get any help cos i dont have the money, but if you have the resources, use it. you dont have to self-injure to feel better