From a recovering cutter, things that worked for me

[honeyny22]

I have been self harming since I was 11, I am now (in 2 weeks) 28, I haven't cut since October and here are a few things that have worked for me.

Rubber bands (put one on and snap it against your skin when you get the urge) or

Ice (Ice hurts if you hold it against your skin long enough, same pain, no scar)

 

[avengeusa]

worship music works for me

 

[dfly]

thats good please write more

 

[Mling]

my girlfriend cuts sometimes. We came up with a solution where, if she wants to cut when I'm around, she'll let me know and I punch her in the thighs. I don't do it hard enough to do any harm, and I'm always very calm and in control when I do it, so it's physically safer than cutting, and because it's coming from an outside source she doesn't get stuck in a guilt feedback loop (cuts because she feels guilty, feels guilty for cutting).

It sounds horrible when somebody says (or types) it out loud, but really, it makes her feel so much better--it actually makes the urge to cut go away, and helps her quiet down the overwhelming emotions regarding whatever made her feel that way in the first place, and it does that without making her feel guilty or risking injury.

 

[Mling]

Oh, PS. This isn't, like, our *first* response. First response involves a lot of talking through the emotions, and focusing on positive things, eating (not as a coping mechanism, but because she tends to get low blood sugar easily, and is far less able to handle strong emotions when that happens) once, trying to just go to sleep, if it's late (with the plan to reevaluate feelings in the morning). The punching only comes around if nothing else is working, and the options are cut, punch or go crazy (which will eventually amount to cutting with less control).

But regarding the punching; I know there's no way to prove it to you, but we both very much do interpret it as something done out of love and support.

 

[Criada]

Mod Hat On​

I've taken out a few posts here.
This thread is to share what works for you.
We are all different, and at different stages, what works for one may not work for another.
Please don't turn it into a debate.
Thanks .

Mod Hat Off​

 

[Criada]

Holding Ice sometimes works for me....
Otherwise, the only thing that's really reliable is to go somewhere public, where other people are around. Not always possible at 3am.... but it works in daylight hours

 

[RETS]

I had a friend whose focus was not so much on the pain as the result. When she realized she was truly damaging herself, she came up with a really unique method of coping- She used an eyedropper and fake blood. It sated her need to see it, and did not hurt her.

I think, for someone whose hang-up is not the actual pain, this might help.


I couldn't really tell you what works for me- Mainly because I only have to remember dying to lose the desire, and I don't recommend anyone actually attempt that!

 

[Mizuti]

I don't know if this will work for anyone else, but when I feel like I need to hurt myself, I take out whatever crocheting or knitting project I'm working on. Usually I end up unraveling it later, but it helps to be able to jab the semi-sharp utensil through the small hole in the yarn and pull it tight. For me, part of the problem is that I need to keep my hands busy doing something else, so just about anything that keeps them doing something that won't hurt me or anybody else is a good thing. If I am feeling really upset or like I need to destroy something, I have some cheap pens/pencils and paper that I can take out my anger or frustration out on. In that case, I just have to be careful that I don't accidentally hurt myself (I'm kind of a major klutz at times).

 

[MikaylaTheJesusFreak]

Thanks I need to try it

 

[heatherdawn]

Along the lines of the fake blood/eyedropper, I have used red sharpie to draw on my body. I am a very visual person and this has helped me sometimes.

 

[Solus Christus]

Along the lines of the fake blood/eyedropper, I have used red sharpie to draw on my body. I am a very visual person and this has helped me sometimes.

I have used this as well, and sometimes it really helps. Sharpie doesn't fade immediately, so you can still see it for a while, sometimes days, and that's satiated the urge. I usually write whatever I'm feeling, like if I'm feeling worthless, or unloved, and it helps to write it out and see it over the scars.