Depression and cutting

There is an organization called SAFE (Self-Abuse Finally Ends) that perhaps you could contact for further information/resources on SI. Medication for anxiety as well as counselling is usually the best treatment for people who SI, although you must be careful with some anti-anxiety medications as they can be habit-forming, and many self-injurers have substance abuse problems or are addicted to cutting/burning, etc., itself. I don't know what resources are available to you or the children you are involved with, but counselling/medication is what I would suggest. Anger management/control issues need to be addressed specifically. However, if you don't have this available to you, two commonly practised "techniques" for curbing self-injury/mutilation are to use soft (felt-tip/chisel tip) markers and elastic bands. When an individual has the need/desire to harm themself, they can draw/write on themself instead. (Many people prefer red markers as they often are fascinated with the blood involved in cutting.)This is actually quite usefull to those who are treating the individual as well, as often people will write things like "fat", "sl*t", "hate" on their bodies, which often relate to the root cause of their behaviours. The rubber band trick involves putting a thick rubber band around the wrist (the most popular site to injure) and "snapping" in when the desire to injure arises. it stings and is only a substitute for actually harming oneself, but it's a temporary measure to (hopefully)prevent actual injury/mutilation.

I used to cut... its been almost three years now that I havent... sadly I cant be of much help on how to help others.. I started getting into a religion and that is what helped me cope greatly.. And having real great supportive friends.

I'm an ex-cutter. I have a support group now for teens who are depressed or just need to talk.

i have never tried that stuff.

Don't know what to say sounds pretty scarry

this is all just trying to redirect the pain to something else. it can be in different forms...from hitting themselves..its all just an outlet. the only way to help it is to get to the root of the pain and the depression. sometimes its just mental and some therapy will help it out. sometimes is will be something more physical where medication might be needed. but anyone who has these type of symtoms will need help.

i was a cutter my self and the only thing that helped me was being with people who really loves me and being happy

i have never heard that and i dont know if i will ever understand that.. i dont know, but i find it very unusual..

i have never heard that and i dont know if i will ever understand that.. i dont know, but i find it weird..

I have gone through a few different periods where I was cutting, one of them just recently. The one thing I can think of is to vent the anger and other feelings through writing or music. I was very depressed as a teenager and was great at poetry when I was upset. The words always seemed to come to me faster than I could write them down. I'm sure some of the girls would be the same way if they were turned on to it. I always could tell it helped because when I woould read what I had written the next day, I noticed that it started out very dark and angry but after a page or two it was a lot more upbeat. People who really connect with music can vent pretty easily through it especially if you like to sing. I used to sit on my floor and sing along with songs that matched the mood I was in. I would belt out the words at the top of my lungs and eventually I just got sick of the music and of singing and I felt like a bit of weight was lifted off my shoulders. There have been a few times when I could turn anger into physical activity. I would have so much pent up in me that had to be let out and I would just run. I don't think I have ever run so fast or for so long. I would cry the whole time but i felt a bit of release. A punching bag and gloves would come in handy too.