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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by roslynn on January 2, 2010, at 19:24:35
Hi everyone,
<TRIGGER>
I am dealing with some urges toward self-injury and I would like to avoid hurting myself but have not been successful. (It is surface injury, not life-threatening.)
I'm feeling a lot of anger and despair, and I guess helplessness, in my situation. That's what leads to the SI.
I've been looking this up on the Web but wanted to check with the psychobabble community to see if any techniques have been particularly helpful for members here in avoiding self-injury.
Thank you for any help.
Roslynn
Posted by Blahblahblah on January 2, 2010, at 20:25:00
In reply to coping methods question (TRIGGER), posted by roslynn on January 2, 2010, at 19:24:35
Hey. I self harm. Not as much lately. I find I need things to distract myself and take my thoughts away. Things like calling a support network, going on the net. Watching a tv show I like, playing a game. Anything to get my mind off it until I can be calmer. Also I started boxing which helps a lot with my inner anger I can not recognize. I hope this helps. Keep talking to us if you need.
Posted by Blahblahblah on January 2, 2010, at 21:01:29
In reply to Re: coping methods question (TRIGGER), posted by Blahblahblah on January 2, 2010, at 20:25:00
I also forgot to say that the further I have delved into my sub concious the more my anger has diminished. So therapy has also been a way to help. But yeah definately forcing yourself to do something else until you can calm down enough is the best advice I could give.
Posted by emmanuel98 on January 2, 2010, at 21:46:37
In reply to coping methods question (TRIGGER), posted by roslynn on January 2, 2010, at 19:24:35
I don't self harm, but I used to get profoundly dysregulated and have obsessive suicidal thoughts. I found that therapy helped and DBT helps a lot with this. DBT therapists are hard to find, but there are on-line DBT resources (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy). DBT was developed precisely to help people who get dysregulated and self-harm. CBT therapist are also helpful and very easy to find. If you have insurance, go to your insurance company's website and search by specialty, entering DBT or CBT as a specialty.
Basically, a DBT therapist (and most CBT therapists) would urge you to distract yourself, learn to do things mindfully -- like washing the dishes or taking a bath and focusing only on what you are doing, letting negative thoughts come and go but not getting stuck in them.
Good luck! Self-harming behaviors might not be life-threatening, but they are dangerous and can become obsessive and destroy your ability to enjoy life. If you're not in therapy already, get some help. If you are in therapy, call your therapist.
Posted by roslynn on January 4, 2010, at 19:09:23
In reply to Re: coping methods question (TRIGGER), posted by emmanuel98 on January 2, 2010, at 21:46:37
Thank you both for your replies. I am glad to know I'm not alone in dealing with this.
Thanks,
Roslynn
This is the end of the thread.
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