So who all on here self-harms? I’m just curious because I do and have been for about 6 years now. I’ve been trying to stop but I’ve been having a hard time with it. My progress has been great though. I just keep having little slip ups and do it about once every month now. Has anyone ever completely stopped self-harming? And how did you do it? Was it difficult to stop? I just want to hear from somebody who has gone or is going through the same thing I’m going through. None of my friends had a hard time quitting and I’m the only one left who still does it. I almost feel weak for not being able to give it up. I hate it.
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I’ve tried to stop off and on for half a year now, never had much success. I think my record was 17 days and I haven’t beat it since.
This is going to sound really strange, but I managed to stop completely after giving up gluten (wheat). I’ve been depressed my whole life, suicidal from age 11 until 30, and had been cutting for about 10 yrs. Something would trigger me off and send me into a black rage where the only thing that would calm me down was a good cutting. I no longer have those psychotic episodes, although I still can get pretty upset when something tips me off, but I no longer feel the need to cut. My other “trick” was keeping a really dull razor blade around. I could run it across my skin with very little risk of actually breaking the skin, but it would still leave little welts. I guess it was kinda like smoking one of those tobacco-less cigarettes when you’re trying to quit. It soothed the habitual side of the craving, but didn’t actually cause any damage.
The longest ive stopped is a about three months or so….. but i guess after doing it for so long my chances of actually stopping for good are slim to none. Good luck on your journey. Any progress is better than none!
I think I know what you mean. I’ve been trying to deal with the habit myself, but it’s really difficult to shake the idea of self-harm, especially when it makes whatever I’m feeling feel so much less…bad? I’ve been trying to stop, especially after being hospitalized earlier this year after I hit some vessel in my arm, and you’re definitely not alone in the way you’re feeling. It’s hard to stop. Perhaps give it some time, and allow yourself to understand why the self-injury keeps happening? Maybe finding a reason for it will make it a little easier to stop the hurting.
last time i cut i saw my vein. see that scared me and i haven’t cut since. only a couple of small scratches after that, but i honestly am really scared of cutting and getting cut. i cant see blood, or movies that involve people being cut, etc. it was a good scare.
I cut, and have never tried to stop. I have a horrible phobia of veins (at least i did have one) but i cut my ankle. I hope you have better luck than me.
i stop i mange to do it for like around four months cant remember. Even tho i get thos craving for cutting i go straight to writing a poem
I stopped 20 years ago it was antidepressants and lithium that made me bat shit crazy once i stopped taking them and smoked a bit of weed i chilled only the weed made me psychotic and overdose and so it went over and over i was an undiagnosed bipolar1 and i used it to cope maybe this could be you?? I had plastic surgery to fix the scars and havent cut since im 43 now but i still remember how it helped let the pressure off you can do it other ways find something that doesnt hurt you i find surfing with sharks theraputic!!
The longest i have gone was 41 very long days, since then i havent been able to last 3days. I know im weak and to be honest i dont think i will ever be able to stop. Im not sure if i even want to…
If you guys want to stop then why don’t you try the butterfly project…. It’s helping me….
The Butterfly Project:
The Rules are:
1. When you feel like you want to cut, take a marker, pen, or sharpies and draw a butterfly on your arm or hand.
2. Name the butterfly after a loved one, or someone that really wants you to get better.
3. You must let the butterfly fade naturally. NO scrubbing it off.
4. If you cut before the butterfly is gone, you’ve killed it. If you dont cut, it lives.
5. If you have more than one butterfly, cutting kills all of them.
6. Another person may draw them on you. These butterflies are extra special. Take good care of them.
7. Even if you don’t cut, feel free to draw a butterfly anyways, to show your support. If you do this, name it after someone you know that cuts or is suffering right now, and tell them. It could help.
Good luck 🙂 xx
Wow nat thats fantastic where were you when i needed ya!!thats a really cool well thought out idea you rock big ups to you for posting!!!
Thanks for commenting and I think I will try some of these ideas. It helps a lot to hear from people who have stopped for good. And it also helps to hear the people who still do. It reminds me that I’m not alone
the self harmers will never be alone
I don’t self harm by cutting or mutilating my body. I think I self harm by sabotaging my damn life…ha ha. Not funny, but hey. If I were to be analytical, I’m sure there is a reason I have so much potential, yet can’t seem to make it. Maybe I subconsciously don’t want to make it….who knows. If I had one wish, it would be to give everyone a fair shot. Having a mental illness feels like I’m navigating throughout life blindfolded.
@nikster I feel the same way about living life with a damn blindfold on and having a mental disorder. I never know how I’m going to feel the next day or how I will view things. Some days I feel great and alive, some days I can’t even get out of bed, and some days I just feel somewhat okay.