Safe Alternatives To Self Harm

[kimberley dawn]

I was way into self harming in 97 and 98 but when I had to be with some folks and felt the inner pain growing I wanted to give myself some other pain to eraze the mental pain. But all these people? There was a dog there. A small fuzzy one with lots of hair. I got her to sit with me and while stroking her I "mistakingly" got a bit rough.. She cryed - jumped down and looked at me. Then up on my lap again and licked my chin.
I got my oun dog soon after that. I can not harm my dogs! So I cuddle them, brush their teeth go for walks, until it stops. The spca needs help if one can't have a dog at home. I want to give up so many times in so many gruesome ways but they look at me. I cant. So dogs help me. Maybe they help more people? Maybe you and a dog can help each other? I'm so glad I don't have all them bandages, band-aids and whatnots any more!! Lots of other good advice here too.

 

[Shattered]

I've not had the urge to self-harm, except for drinking. But these are some things that I've done to help distract me. I've found that if i overwhelm one or two of my senses, then I can escape what is haunting me. Getting to that place of focused attention is what I'm after.

walking (i hate exercise)
listening to books (kindle and headphones)
painting murals (with music)
crochet
embroidery
sewing
math (i hate math)
journaling
going into the forum chat
internet games (I play Sea at pool, word games and pictionary)
listening to music
crossword puzzles (new york times requires every brain cell)
brushing my dogs

 

[maddog]

Pets and physical activities seem to be 2 very dominant themes here. Interesting, these are my top 2 as well I think. I'd be lost without my dog. She is my own private therapist, grounding object and huggable close one. She is also my greatest motivator who is responsible for my not having turned into a reclusive hermit.

And physical activity I say is often better for my mental health than my physical health. Glad others agree. Let's all spot the fit, athletic people with dogs and you'll have found the PTSD population!!

Maddog

 

[Sazza]

I have to say Exercise can work wonders. Up until a few years ago my life lacked exercise and when i introduced it i got hooked why hadn't i done it sooner it was one the best things i could have done for my mental health. It can become another form of self harm to if take it too seriously but much healthier alternative. My mental health has deteriorated since my exercise has gone downhill, trying to re establish it.

 

[pi314159]

Exercise and listening to really loud music helps me.

 

[Steph4]

MD,

This is an issue that I struggle with at times. I have used the ice, and for some reason, holding it against my left hand, seems to work better than the right.Sometimes I fill a glass and put my hand down in it. I have also used the rubber bands. But like everyone else I do try very hard to distract myself. Unfortunately if I am in a state of extreme disassociation I typically have no idea what I am doing and don't realize I have self injured until after the fact. I hope we all get to a place where this is no longer a struggle for us.
steph

 

[maddog]

You bet Steph, that is always the goal, and it's one worth striving for.

Maddog

 

[712xx]

I read a book series called the Fourth Realm Trilogy, by John Twelve Hawks. The first book was the best, titled The Traveler. The theme is a twist on an old conspiracy theory that the government (or the government behind the government :cautious:) is slowly taking everyone's freedoms away. It is a classic paranoid thriller.

Anyway, whenever I made up my mind to stop self harming for a period of time (to at least wait till I healed before even thinking to do it again) I'd have to fill in that urge with something else. Something that sometimes helps is playing on my natural paranoia and think to my self -- They Want me to hurt myself. They are planting this in my mind. I must resist. I can't let them win.

I'd have a little more strength to resist if I could believe the urge to harm myself is coming from outside my own mind. I'd think of the Traveler, wonder what the character Maya would do if she were being mind-fuc'd. I'm not as bassass as her, but it gets my mind directly out of looking at the SH as a good thing. It is something to be avoided because no one else can care about me except me.

I've been harmed by others, but damn if I'm gonna do it to myself.

 

[Whitneys story]

Maddog, I vaguelly remember something and will try my luck at it. In the meantime eat crunchy food! Hugs Whitney

 

[Philippa]

I remember someone talking about going to a thrift store, buying old plates, braking them. Using the pieces to make something out of the pieces.

Yeah, that was my input.

Mock Greek weddings are a fine substitute for random destructive behavior...and you can even make something creative out of your destruction...like a mural for example.

 

[HëllaBubz]

hmmm. to be honest, I still haven't found something that can help.
I'm an absolute pussy cat when it comes to pain, and yet for some reason the actual thought of slicing my wrists fills me with peace and morbid satisfaction.
I'm really scared, I really don't want to die, I love my partner and my family, and my darling cats, but I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

I go out for walks, I talk to people, I play with my cats and snuggle up with them....I feel paranoid and like everyone is judging me and thinks that I'm just lazy and bullshitting about how terrible I feel.
I was in Centerlink today, and the disagreeable old Greek man I had to deal with was truly horrible, and told me that I didn't have a severe enough problem or illness, and that I had to stop being lazy and get out of bed and go to the appointments scheduled for me.

Perhaps that is why I'm feeling so horrid right now.

I guess the only thing that holds me back is the fact that if I do hurt myself then I'll have to deal with nurses who don't give a shit, family who can't talk about it, just want to dose me up on natural medicine, which is all very well, but NO ONE SEEMS TO SEE THAT SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED TO TALK, its not always about chemical imbalances!!!!!!

And I can't fathom putting my partner through that sort of crap again.

 

[maddog]

I'm so sorry... that you're feeling this way, and for the idiotic Centrelink guy with the sensitivity and empathy of a chair leg.

I know how frightening and alienating it is to know the depth of your distress and to know that nobody else knows, or seems to care. It seems to add layers of additional horror to what is already a silent hell.

Wish there was something more I could say, but I'm in that place with you tonight.

Hang in there. Those who truly care about you want you to be safe, and you have been hurt enough... don't let yourself continue what others started so long ago.

Maddog