Former Self-Injurer

[DoveGirl]

*big sigh*
Being here is like being among instant friends.

I understand the pain that is in this "room." I've been there.

When I injured myself, from age 14-22 and then once when I was 26 and then at 30 (I'm 32 now)... I didn't have God in my life.

I was alone.

I want to say that I am so glad that YOU are seeking help and that you WANT God in your life as you muddle through the quicksand that is self-injury.

I just want to say that I found help in an inpatient hospital program. I know you're not supposed to advertise specific programs, so I won't name it, but if you're interested, please private-message me or write on my wall. It was a 30 day treatment - sort of like mental health boot camp. It was HARD. Sometimes I didn't think I would make it.

But somehow I made it out with a completely different and more healthy way of thinking and feeling. I had tools to use to help myself not injure.

Yes, I had relapses years later, but I always came back to center. And I always learned from my relapses.

I would like to be a help here.

I'd also like to mention that my 12 year old stepdaughter has just started self-injuring (minorly, so far, but we all know how that can go) and it just breaks my heart.

What do you say to a 12 year old?

I will pray for each and every one of you - and me - that we all are able to safely express our emotions and don't feel it all build up on the inside so we have to implode and hurt ourselves.

We each are beautiful children of God. Our bodies are God's temples.

I think on that now and wonder, if I knew that back when I injured, if I would have continued.

I'm excited to get to know you all.

Bless you.

 

[lonlygirl]

bless you. I started self injuring when I was around 12 so I can say that all I needed at the time was someone who was willing to listen to me and not interrupt me or pity me. All I wanted was someone,other than god, who was willing to drop everything and give me their full attention. But I also wanted to be able to be by myself. Someone's shoulder to cry on. I knew it would never happen but I still wanted it. I would advise letting her know that you are there for her and keeping that promise cause no matter how young you are when someone promises you something like that,when you really want it, you will hold them to it and if you fall through on that it may take her a long time for her to trust you again. My parents did that with me and I still don't trust them and I can't see me trusting them any time soon.

 

[Melodys]

Start dealing with it now. When I started it was just punching, now I go so deep with a very sharp blade without my parents knowing. Get her involved in a Reformers Unanimous in the area (they meet every friday night) and make sure they have a teen program (cuz not all do) but I know that it has changed lives.