Why Is Cutting Worse Than Other Forms?

[Kintsugi]

Try exercise. Seriously. Push-ups, sit-ups, plank, jumping rope... it will hurt. It will burn. It will also exhaust you and release endorphins. If you have the drive and determination to intentionally cut yourself, you have it in you to punish your body through physical exercise. Lay on your back, hands under your bum, and lift your legs to a 45 degree angle. Hold that for 15 seconds. Lower your legs to just a few inches off the ground. Hold. Repeat. It will hurt, I promise. You'll feel it in the morning. And you'll know you chose to help yourself instead of hurt yourself. :)

 

[Deadman]

I'm just hurting. I want it to stop and all I can think of is masking the emotional pain with physical.

That is something that most of us here understand.

 

[The Albatross]

Roll with this thought Megan: I understand it's bad. I know. It doesn't actually help, it only makes things worse.

 

[The Albatross]

Sadly for those who cut, very seldom are people ever willing to heed advice like Simons... though I highly recommend it for those who can. For some reason "doing" exercise is perceived as "too hard"... harder than picking up a sharp and some won't bother to try consistently enough or long enough. Hope you can gal and endeavor to nix the behavior.

 

[mrsmegan]

Thanks all.

@Simply Simon / @The Albatross - I am scheduled for yoga class tonight, which will probably help a lot.

I also just wish I wasn't so terrible at communication. I know I should just voice that I am struggling right now - instead of going to the edge of the cliff and wanting to self-harm. It has been 75 days since I last cut - which is great, I know....it's just really hard sometimes.

 

[The Albatross]

If your on the edge right now, take Simon's advice right NOW. It is a compulsion so rather than "wait for" exercise and rely on self discipline for not cutting... why not exercise now, and then Yeah sure go to yoga tonight?

P.S. congratulations Megan on your 75 Days! Very awesome accomplishment... keep it going.

 

[mrsmegan]

@The Albatross well, I'm at work right now, so can't really get away.

And thank you :)

 

[Deadman]

I'm at work right now, so can't really get away

I hope you are chatting with us on your phone. Work computers are not private.

 

[pcengland1]

I've cut to cope with my problems for 5 years, I still relapse and it's a horrible thing to do to yourself. Cutting and self harm can be addictive. It's ruined my arms, I can't wear nice clothes and it makes me feel awkward in front of my boyfriend. In my opinion, cutting is a horrible form of self harm because it can leave permanent damage to your skin and mind, you feel like it's the only way to cope when things get on top of you and it's not because people deserve better than bleeding and scarring themselves. I sound like a hypocrite but I've seen the damage cutting can do first hand, by my own hand and others who've mutilated their bodies.

 

[mrsmegan]

I hope you are chatting with us on your phone. Work computers are not private.

Yes

 

[Ronin]

It just is. It provides relief.

Just because it's a coping mechanism? It doesn't mean it's not f*cked up.

& It teaches you wrong things about what relief is.

Not coming from a position of judgment, while we're at it. Most of my coping mechanisms are colossally f*cked up, and better not employed.

I get the anger, very well, but it's misplaced. Those people are trying to help with telling you it's harmful.

 

[Deleted member 40384]

In addition to exercise, ice helps - ice cubes, ice packs, submerging your hands or face in icy water. That's a skill from dialectical behavioral therapy. Intense exercise helps in the moment, yoga is great to do regularly - gently caring for your body and mind, learning how to breathe deeply and effectively.