Self-Injry/Harm
By candy111
@candy111 (240)
Philippines
August 18, 2007 10:19am CST
Has anyone here consciously injury themselves? (not attempted suicide) What have you done? why do you do it? Does it help you in anyway? Have you seen a doctor and if so, what treatment did you get and did it work?
I self injury usually by cutting or burning myself with a cigarette. Reason I do it, because physical pain is better than emotional/mental. I do it a lot less now, but when i'm enrages, its ironically the fastest way to calm me down.
3 people like this
7 responses
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I do not personally do this but my 13 year old daughter does and it breaks my heart, she is in counseling now and she has not done it in a few weeks. she is on paxil right now. she has alot of issues that were happening at her fathers house(not his fault at all) but she has been here for the summer so I am not sure if it helped her to be away from the stresses or if the medication and counseling are helping her. maybee it is all of the above. I think that you should talk to someone either a friend or a counselor. good luck to you.
1 person likes this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
19 Aug 07
This can happen with any mood elevation medication.I am on Paxil and have been for a few years and it has helped me.I do not think i could do without it,i was not living a full life without it,but it worked for me,but it does not work for everyone...If your doctor put your daughter on paxil,and im sure he did as long as it works for her its ok..I do not think it worked for you personally so it is good that you got off,but their are other medications that you can try and one of them might be the one you need..Paxil i think you are alergic to it..
1 person likes this
@Jennifer21 (2476)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Ladybug, it is so good to hear you are a concerned mother.
I started cutting at 14 and when I told my mother, she done nothing.
She never put me in counceling or therapy, it NEVER crossed her mind.
All she said to me was "are you stupid? just stop!"
Or else she said, "it sounds like YOUR problem, not mine."
I had a terrible family, that is one of the reasons I cut.
But, I am glad you are such a caring mother.
I say, good luck to your daughter, and you are doing the right think putting her in counceling.
BUT, the paxil, along with other medications CAN cause worse effects.
It is a proven fact.
Although it don't happen to all, just keep a lookout.
Have a nice day.
@Galena (9110)
•
18 Aug 07
sometimes I scratch myself with my fingernails or bite hard enough to bruise the skin.
it makes me feel better sometimes.
I don't really think it's a problem, I think it's a natural coping mechanism. I don't think it's something so very awful that people seem to think it is. A while back I hadn't done it since I left school. then about 2 years ago. then recently when my partner went into hospital I've done it a few times since.
1 person likes this
@Galena (9110)
•
19 Aug 07
well thats just it really.
it makes it easier when I'm completely distraught and frustrated.
I do think, for the vast majority of people that do it, it could almost be considered a good thing. certainly for me.
it's the difference between coping and not coping, and that does far more good than a few scratches and bruises do me harm.
@candy111 (240)
• Philippines
19 Aug 07
seems ou do it when you are under some form of stress, its is a natural coping mechanism, but as they say, there are more healthy ones. Hood thing though is that you methods are mild (compared to a lot). Just make sure you are aware of what you are doing because you dont want to get so dependent on it and that you will go more nd more extreme in your was.
@Jennifer21 (2476)
• United States
19 Aug 07
Wow, you actually look at your problem as normal?
It is not normal to want to harm yourself in any way.
It IS a problem and you may need to talk to someone if you cannot help yourself.
I'm NOT trying to down you, but any form of physical abuse is not normal.
I sure hope you will quit it soon.
I too used to be a physical harmer, and I have seeked help for my problem.
Good luck to you.
@TiffanieC (827)
• United States
18 Aug 07
Yes, I used to be a cutter. I don't do it anymore.. well, every so often (maybe once every couple of years) I'll slip and do it but for the most part it's pretty well under control.
I don't know how old you are but I am in my late 20's and I think that it gets easier with age. Also, you have to learn and find other ways to cope. I know this can be difficult but if you keep working you'll get ahead of the game. There are still times when I think about it but I find other ways to cope.
Good luck to you .. please let me know if you ever want to talk about this further.
1 person likes this
@TiffanieC (827)
• United States
19 Aug 07
It sounds like you are making such amazing progress.. keep up the good work :)
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
19 Aug 07
No way ! I love myself way to much to hurt ME! besides i do not like pain..I have heard of this disorder but i could never do it or i don't think i will ever get this disorder.You must be is some kind of situation and you feel that their is no way out so you do this to yourself..I personally do not understand this behavior but i do know that some people do this cutting and stuff but i really think you should seek help for your problems.If you are going through emotional pain or mental pain ,please try to get away from the source of your pain...You are much to important to hurt yourself,you deserve better..I know that you do not do this just because you want too,it is something you cannot help but it is a sickness dear just like any other sickness.So please try and get help..
@candy111 (240)
• Philippines
19 Aug 07
I do have a traumatic past, i do have a mental disease and yes I am seeing a psychiatrist. As you said you have no idea why people would do such and I actually started this discussion not only for people to share their experiences with it, but in the jope that people such as you may understand further as to the varied reasons people do it.
You are luck that you do not have to face this problem.
@divinelight (90)
•
19 Aug 07
not exactly self injury candy,but i did go on a fast once upon a time..i became very week..i was emotionally disturbed so din feel like having food..it did take a toll on my health.But the type of injuries u r talking about..oh god im not with them at all.my husband being a doctor talks about patients who come to hospitals with crazy injuries..deep n painful..on asking what made them do so..they reply:"it gives satisfaction"..it would definetly not be of my liking.i love myself..people love me..why should i injure myself?one can always find better ways to calm down..
@divinelight (90)
•
21 Aug 07
y i can understand dear..in these cases it really is difficult to stay calm.but i want to tel u someting..even my father is mentally ill..he is undergoing treatment as u do..but he does tries his best to beat that mental illness out..we stay with him alltime always trying to cheer him up..i dont know about u..but stay with ur parents..and bring good friends into ur life..keep praying.Godwilling ull see happiness in ur life.
@candy111 (240)
• Philippines
21 Aug 07
Unfortunately, its not easy to explain and yes it really does sound so horrid for a person to say it gives them satisfaction to inure themselves. if I did not do it myself and know how it makes me feel, I might think the same way as you do. i'm not judging you, but same with a lot of mental illness, you really dont know how it feels or understand completely until it happens to you. i definitely hope that it never happens to anyone tho. Its good you feel love. For some of us, thats what we seek. Might sound weird, but imagine a person who has a history of lets say incest, or child abuse, how can they "learn" or "feel" love so readily when during their formative ears they were betrayed by the people that were supposed to show that to them?
thank you for your response :)
@Laurla98 (786)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I have a 15 year old niece that we just found out is cutting herself. Even worse..we found bruises on her neck this morning. Her parents are in denial and haven't gotten her to a counselor. I'm trying to help her as much as I can. I just wish there was more I could do.
@candy111 (240)
• Philippines
19 Aug 07
From my experience, researching and reading on other people's experience on this, the most common reason is some sort or abuse or stress or those that attention seek. Unfortunate that her parents won't admit to it and get her help. if you have a close relationship with your niece, try to find out why she does injure herself (she may not give you the truth). Explain that you are not judging her but that you are worried and love her that it pains you to see her hurting herself. Just be careful that you do not open a whole can of worms.
@Laurla98 (786)
• United States
19 Aug 07
I've talked to her about it. She actually told me about it instead of her parents. Mainly because her parents are part of the problem. Some of it is standard teenager problems with friends, school, etc. We talked to her parents about it, but I don't think she got the reaction she was hoping for. She told me she wants to talk to a counselor or psychiatrist/psychologist. I tried telling them & my brother isn't taking it seriously. We're going to talk to them again because this is getting really bad. Thank you for the information. I also looked up some information last night about cutting and some of the reasons behind it. I just hope we can get her some help.
@Malyck (3425)
• Australia
20 Aug 07
I used to self-injure a few years ago.
It was after I was sexually assaulted and felt worthless and disgusting.
I, too, believed that the physical pain and punishment was much easier to deal with than my emotional and mental trauma.
I used to cut, burn and scratch myself, as well as running into things repeatedly on purpose in order to bruise myself or maybe break a bone.
I was a complete wreck then, but I am now better and no longer self-harm, although I do still enjoy getting tattoos and piercings, many that tell my story through symbolism.
I eventually just got over being depressed and angry, and with the help of friends and family, sorted my life out.
I'm now a happier, more out going person that ever before, and haven't relapsed in over 2 years.
@candy111 (240)
• Philippines
21 Aug 07
Good for you Malyek! I'm glad you have been able to sort out your problem of depression and self injuring. i definitely know how hard it is to do that. Its people like you that shows others who are still struggling with this problem of the hope of a solution. if you ever get to the point you relapse, just think you have survived without it, you have defeated that demon before, and you do have your friends and family do help you again.
hoping for the best for you!
