Safe Alternatives To Self Harm

[The Albatross]

You're very welcome.

 

[sea]

Walk around outside. In the past I would sit on things (walls, fences, etc. climbing...i.e spiderman freakazoid). Now I make fractal art on Paint (which is a shitty program and makes all work tedious and mind-numbing, which is useful), read things (wikipedia is useful), ignore it...graphically write about it, scratch my arms (um...maybe that one doesn't count, lol, but it's better than what I usually want to do so...and it is usually just random scratches that leave the same marks as a rubber band but feel much more satisfying...so idk). In the past when I have gotten very bad my last resort is usually turning the shower on freezing and sitting in it with my clothes on. Makes you miserable and wet and distracts you. Um, sometimes I know why I feel like doing it so I will try to deal with whatever it is...I'm pretty sure my cause of death will be avoidance...so, avoiding is a bad one. Lol.

 

[Lionheart]

I think that any positive thing that allows you to express your feelings is a good alternative to self-harm.

When I would self harm it was because I felt really shitty about myself, so I began to use different methods of self-care to replace those old behavior habits. I would take a walk, take a hot bath, visit a friend, draw, paint, take a nap, etc, etc. Anything that helped me to care for myself or that took me "out" of myself for awhile was helpful.

Also Identifying those thoughts that led to my crappy feelings helped too. I eventually discovered that it was due to negative core beliefs such as, "I am bad," "I deserve to be hurt," "I am not as good as others," "I am unlovable, unworthy" etc., etc. Stopping those negative thoughts and replacing them with positive thinking is very underrated when it comes to PTSD methinks..

Now I never get the urge to self-harm anymore. Now when I feel bad, I think "I am a good man," "this bad feeling is temporary," "I will feel better soon," etc. It may seem like a small thing but it really worked for me and I hope that in the same way it will help you too!!!

 

[LoyalOne]

I used to color graph paper. I have stacks and stacks of graph paper colored in in a million colors. Tedious and mind-numbing are awesome sometimes.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Not sure it anyone mentioned this. My T says to use ice instead of a knife if you are thinking of hurting yourself.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Kneading dough can be very satisfying. You can beat the shit out of it. And then you have something nice to eat afterwards.

 

[Srain]

Painting is also a good one. I had someone shatter one of our windows and it left an imagine in my mind. So I think of red shards and paint sharp red shards, it can look VERY satisfying. Sometimes seeing it is what I need ...seeing evidence of my hurt and pain...putting that on paper has worked for me.

I get my paints on sale ;)

 

[maddog]

I'm sorry it's taken me a long time to reply to my own thread. Thanks to everyone who responded. Your thoughts and suggestions mirror what I already knew and add a lot more. Obviously, the goal at such times is always to try to use grounding and other forms of soothing and positive distraction to manage the urges altogether. And yet there are times when, for whatever reason, that just isn't enough, which is when the practical, harm minimising alternatives become important. Personally, I don't think that breaking anything would be good for me, chiefly because it would have the effect of producing many little weapons for me to have all too easily available at hand.

This is something I wish I didn't need or want to know about, as I'm sure you can all relate.

MD

 

[Tinyflame]

Walking.
Hugs

 

[Anna]

I find doing sit ups or circuit training helps to get out the negative energy.

 

[bluemoon]

Walking.
Hugs

Walking in the rain.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I also pace. I do a lot of pacing. I also will listen to music and pace.