Depression and SI...How much are these two related?

[STAYING_STRONG4HIM]

I have depression and I was wondering if along with depression people tend to SI as well. I have a problem with both. For me the extreme feelings of sadness or overwhelmingness is what most often causes me to cut. So if I deal with my depression will the SI go away...will I no longer feel that urge to cut myself so bad?

 

[Criada]

I think they are closely related, depression, trauma and low self esteem are all common triggers of SI.
As you recover and start to feel more in control of your feelings, you will probably feel less and less desire to hurt yourself.
You are on the way, sweetie, and you *will* get past this hard time.

 

[TheMainException]

Yes, depression and SI are highly linked. Negative feelings often contribute to SI'ing. Most likely, if the depression is dealt with through counseling and anti-depressants together (the BEST way to end depression or shorten the time you have to deal with it), the SI will also probably stop. However, SI usually becomes a habit or addiction for some people and may have to be dealt with in addition to the depression. If you see a counselor, it is recommended that you talk about the SI with him or her as they can talk about the issues surrounding it and why you do it and see if there are any other issues that he or she can help you work through.

I don't know what you know about anti-depressants, so I'll just tell you a little about them. There are a ton of different kinds, but just a few general categories that your doctor may recommend. The most popular one that seems to work for most people is Prozac (generic name Fluoxetine). It is an anti-D that works on serotonin levels (a chemical in your brain responsible for increasing mood). This is what really helped me when I was depressed and SI'ing. It didn't stop the depression in its tracks but lessened the pain and sadness that I felt which helped decrease the SI'ing.

I needed to work with a counselor to work through issues and negative circular thoughts that brought me down. Depression often is something that starts as a low level of serotonin or other mood chemicals in the brain but then the negative mood is made worse by negative thoughts that we don't even realize we are thinking. This is why a counselor is so important. They help us to realize what we are thinking and take hold of negative thoughts and reason them out. For instance, say you look in the mirror and think "I'm so ugly" (which isn't true in the first place) and then you think "no one will ever love me" (which also isn't true) and then comes the thought "I'm worthless" (again, absolutely untrue) and the negative thoughts keep building and building bringing you further and further down until you begin to cry or SI. This concept is true for everyone, but for a majority of people (including myself), this is how depression seems to work.

So, in short...yes, the urges should decrease if you deal with your depression.

 

[Mayflower1]

sometimes the SI will go away, if it is a direct cause of depression. for me though, there were more underlying causes. sometimes a low self-esteem can be a cause of SI, abuse, or other underlying factors.

but the important thing is, is it can and will get better, if you continue to seek God's face. I was definitely delivered from both depression and self-injury.

 

[wondering_woman]

i found that once I was happier with my life and myself, I didn't have the urge to hurt myself anymore. But thats just me. It really depends on what is causing your urges. Good luck!!

 

[STAYING_STRONG4HIM]

I have all three Criada...depression, trauma, and low self esteem.
lilyoo- I was also abused...so that could be part of the reason why too.
I will continue to seek God.
The feelings are a bit much right now...but hopefully will be under control soon.

 

[Criada]

I have all three Criada...depression, trauma, and low self esteem.
lilyoo- I was also abused...so that could be part of the reason why too.
I will continue to seek God.
The feelings are a bit much right now...but hopefully will be under control soon.

I know, sweetie, and it's overwhelming trying to cope with all that. If you can see a doc and get some help to get the depression under control, it will ge easier to cope with and you will be able to deal with the other problems.
It's a journey, sweetie, it won't all get better overnight, but you are going in the right direction, and it *will* slowly get easier.

 

[Mayflower1]

I have all three Criada...depression, trauma, and low self esteem.
lilyoo- I was also abused...so that could be part of the reason why too.
I will continue to seek God.
The feelings are a bit much right now...but hopefully will be under control soon.

yes, a lot of the times, abuse is an underlying cause of someone who struggles with self-injury. have you ever been able to talk to someone about it? Sometimes, that helps.

 

[STAYING_STRONG4HIM]

Thanks TheMainException for explaining all this to me and sharing what helped you. I think the doctor will recommend that I go to counseling as well as take meds...I have the whole negative thought thing going on too.
Criada- it is hard to cope with that. It is overwhelming...I am going to the doctor...and I hope to be able to get this depression under control...
Lilyoo- I just started opening up about my abuse... I was sexually abused when I was 7. It has made me feel very used, worthless, vulnerable....I opened up with my youth pastor about 2 weeks ago...he had no idea, but he doesn't know how to help me with this...so he's going to see a counselor friend to see what he can do...but the counselor mentioned to my youth pastor that I should open up with a woman about this...but my abuser was a woman...so that's difficult for me.