Hi EG,
Welcome to the board. I can also be found on the board DDancing mentioned. It is also a safe place. And having multiple outlets, I find is a good way to spread that tension. I am sorry you need this, but so glad you are reaching out. It is def a hard thing to deal with. And I have had my own troubles trying to talk with someone....anyone...about it with. These boards have helped me do that. We are with you...
(and thanks again DD for the insight!)
~loving vibes~
I agree it is not easy to stop. Especially if you are doing it alone without addressing the reasons why you began the SI to begin with. Are you in therapy?
You might want to peek in over here too:
http://****.****.com/self-harm-exchange
a bit more active and full of the same people.
here is some info that might be helpful.
The basic of self inflicted violence (SIV) is this...
Intense emotional pain is hard to deal with. You can't see it, you can't put a bandage on it, you can't fully explain it to anyone else. The pain is personal and well, excruciating. Some people have learned not to show pain, or lack the ability to effectively communicate pain.
When the tension builds internally to a point that feels like..."I'm going to explode, I am going to go insane" people who self injure...injure themselves. This act does many things...says many things....
1. It transfers the pain to the surface, where you CAN see it, you CAN heal it. You can't bandage the soul, but you can bandage your arm.
2. The blood speaks volumes as to the internal pain. Think of the cut as a red mouth screaming the pain. (this maybe the only way a person can express the discomfort they are in).
3. The act itself will literally cut the tension one is feeling. You are left with a calmness, a dissociating "high", you feel back in control now that the energy is released. This fact makes SIV a very addicting act. You are positively reinforced each time you injure.
SIV is very alarming/disturbing to people who don't do it. What you need to know about us is this. We are not trying to kill ourselves with the injuring...think of it more as self medicating.
SIV does not = suicide attempt. Suicide is an another category all by its self. Suicide = taking action to ends ones life, while SIV = taking action to ease internal pressure, so one can keep on functioning.
It is in fact often used to stop one from reaching that point of seeking fatal means to cope.
The number one most common denominator to SIV is a history of sexual abuse...we are talking about deep deep issues that need a professional touch here, the healing journey is a hard one. Deep issues must be faced, a commitment to healing and working towards learning and using healthy coping skills must be there.
One doesnt have to have any abuse in there background to learn SIV as coping skill., it works just as well no matter the reason behind it.
SIV is about control too...controlling ones emotions and feelings and destiny.
Cutting can give a sence of control. I CONTROL WHEN AND WHERE I FEEL THE PAIN.
We are NOT crazy for injuring ourselves. We are just in pain, and have lost the ability to communicate any other way.
Think of it this way...the siv is a fever. Its a symptom of a deeper infection that needs to cleared up before the fever goes away. You would never tell a sick person...just stop having a fever. We do medicate the fever away, but does the cure the infection? nope. There is deeper work we need to do.
Things that are not helpful...
1. giving ultimatums You may not cut. I won't be your friend if you injure yourself.
2. "Stop it for me." "promise me you won't cut for me" - We need to stop for ourselves.
3. "just don't cut" - if it were that simple don't you think we would do it?
4. Non injuring contracts. SIV is a coping mechanism. It may very well be there ONLY coping skill. Until there is a new skill learned-practiced-implemented, the SIV will continue. (We don't ask babies to be born and get up and walk the same day. they learn to use there muscles first, roll over, crawl, stand, then walk. it is a slow gradual process.)
Re-learning/learning healthy coping skills is hard work. It is not an overnight process, expect the SIV to continue as we work in therapy. In the cases of past trauma, it might actually increase as the past is dealt with.
peace be the journey
Paja