Strength without therapy?

[Bressom]

I was wondering if its possible to recovery without therapy. Ive hit my one month streak without cutting, and I seem to be getting better. I feel like I can't vent on my friends anymore because they just keep telling me to see a professional. I want to prove that I can do this on my own and fight. 6 months ago I was cutting everyday, but now for the past 3 months Ive only relapsed 5 times. I think its great progress so far and Im proud. My urges have been getting less intense and less frequent also. I found my strength in God and rely on him. Is it possible to get completely better without therapy?
My other question is, how do I get the strength to not cover my scars? I really dont like hiding it, and my friend told me to look at them as battle wounds of what Ive gone through. I dont know. Im just afraid of being judged.

 

[Darling Deedee]

I think therapy helps a lot.

I cut for five years and struggled silently on my own (only one other friend knew). It was hard and looking back, I wish I'd asked for help along the road. I've been self-injure-free for almost 8 years... I think having people who are rooting for you to succeed helps. It was awful lonely doing it on my own and I don't recommend it.

-Deedee

 

[Moraiah]

I think it better to get the help if you can. People self harm for different reasons but much of the time its a cover for much deeper issues which are very difficult to get past on your own. Why go through the recovery process alone if you don't have to? Every bit of support helps especially with a professional who is capable of understanding what you're up against. So, I think it possible to get past it without professional help although I don't think it's true for all people, and I think it best to go with the help if you can.

Mederma will help to minimize the scars and make it so they aren't as prominent. I just over time basically forgot that they were there and people aren't typically observant enough to notice things like that. I think if you want to stop covering them up than maybe ease your way into it, let a little more of the scars show each day. Other than that I don't know

 

[FaithPrevails]

Therapy isn't a crutch, it's a tool. So, try not to look at therapy as meaning you didn't get through this on your own. A good therapist guides you and gives you suggestions and resources - they don't just say, "do or be X and you will be all better".

That said, if you are really against therapy, then maybe you could try an alternative. Stephen Ministry is a wonderful ministry of lay people who are there to be a supportive ear when you need someone to talk to/vent to about things when you're going through a difficult time. They are not professionals, so they can't/shouldn't counsel you. But they will encourage you and pray for you.

It might be a good stepping stone for you to try out until you are more comfortable with the idea of therapy.

 

[Criada]

It is possible to recover without any kind of therapy - as others have said, it's a tool, and so it makes things easier - but it isn't essential, and if you don't feel comfortable with it at the moment, that's fine.
It sounds as though you are doing really well - keep going But, don't rule out therapy at some point - if the underlying issues are still there, you may find that something triggers you and you feel worse again. If that happens, it's a good idea to get any help you can - it's possible to fight alone, but so much easier to have others fighting alongside you!

As for the scars - it can be hard to let people see them, but it gets easier, and most people are too sensitive to ask about them even if they notice. Do what feel comfortable - there's no right or wrong way to deal with the scars. Some people prefer to hide them, others feel that letting them be seen is empowering- just do what feels right to you.

 

[Bressom]

Thanks for all the advice! It helps. Im pretty excited because I've been doing well, and Im almost to day 40 without cutting. I feel proud that I've done it on my own, and didn't need to be forced to stop. But, I will keep therapy in mind. I haven't excluded it yet. God has helped me through this and he will continue to strengthen me.

 

[Melodys]

I know its kinda late... but God is the greatest "therapist"

 

[shimmer86]

hi, i'm trying to stop SI without therapy also. I tried therapy for many years and did not like it; it was usually against my will and I am not a very trusting person, and some of them tried to treat me simply by increasing/changing my meds. Maybe instead of therapy you could talk to a pastor or go to a church group for depression?

 

[kingsprincess724]

something was mentioned about feeling forced to stop and a good counselor will not do that. When i self injured in high school i went to a therapist and it did no good because he was very condemning and tried to force me to stop through guilt. When I started again after a year and a half clean i was in therapy when i relapsed and my current counselor although she wants me to stop, obviously she understands the addiction and that there are deeper issues so rather than focusing on talking me into quitting she is focusing on working through the deeper issues with me so i no longer have a reason to cut. yes she makes me update her on how much i cut and she even asks to see them to make sure i am not doing severe harm. but a good therapist will work with you on the problems causing the cutting not the cutting itself.

something i learned through relapsing was i didn't deal with the underlying cause of my self injury before. until i deal with that i will never be able to completely stop without relapse because it is going to keep coming back. i believe a person has to heal the underlying problems as well as stop for themselves. you can't stop because someone else wants you to, you have to stop because you want to for yourself and because you love yourself enough to stop hurting the body God gave you.