depression and cutting...the outcome

[inthedarknessisshe]

im 16 iv been cutting sence i was 12 i wasnt diognosed with depression till this past year..its been really hard on me..with alot of new meds and alot of new scars..cutting was always my way out my escape...now i still cut but i also see my old scars and they all have stories...with every scar there was something that made me do it ...i dont know what to do ..every little thing upsets me idk how to cope..i need help and noone i ask knows what to do someone please save me from myself

[Palmolive]

Hi there.

Firstly, be really proud of yourself for reaching out to us here at Teenhelp. I know that in itself can be a really big step for some people and can take a hell of a lot of courage so well done for it. I hope we can help you.

I want to point out in this, that YOU are the person who can save yourself. No one else in the world can save yourself, but yourself. Other people like us here at Teenhelp, can help you through the rough times, support you and advice and encourage you, but the work has to come from you at the end of the day. So it might be a long and a hard journey but it will also be a journey which is well worth taking.

You say you have now been diagnosed with depression, correct? Was it a psychiatrist that diasgnosed you? I am wondering whether because of this, you have any out-patient support such as a specialist social worker, a therapist, counsellor, community psychiatric nurse etc? If not, then maybe that's something you can ask about if you feel you'd benefit from having someone to talk to and not only is it about having someone to talk to, but these people are professionals, they'll be able to teach you techniques and help you to learn ways to cope and deal with how you feel and think and what's going on for you or has gone on in the past. It's just a thought if you already don't have that support in place.

Here is Teenhelps list of alternatives to distractions: http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-s...ves-self-harm/. When you're feeling really down and low or sad and have urges to harm yourself or even to kill yourself, try using these distractions. Now, it's a long list (and there's even more than that's on there!) but not everything is going to work good for you so it's about you trying things and not giving up on everything, when something doesn't work for you, okay? Its so important that you don't just give in because something doesn't help you. You will find things, trust me, it just takes a bit of time and work. Distractions and alternatives can be great but more so in the short term because they're just helping in the moment, you still need to work through the underlying issues causing the urges which is why I suggested trying to get some emotional support in place.

I know that this is all really hard for you right now and I can understand the frustration you must be feeling and how horrible it must be to feel the way you do each day and having to try and beat the same thing again and again, but with help and support and as long as you stay focused and determined, you will get there and you will get through this and you;'ll be glad that you never gave up because it's going to be worth it. Your life is worth it. More importantly, you are worth it. Self harm isn't the way to deal with this at all. It's not going to help you in the long run but could make things a lot worse. Okay? You don't need it. Remember, you're in control of your actions. You can stop yourself from hurting yourself and even though it's hard, it's possible so keep fighting.

Take good care of yourself,
Jessie.

[Rivière]

You said you're on new medication, have you been feeling depressed before the medication or is it that the new medication is what's making things worse for you?


What is it in your life has caused you to become so depressed. Has it been involving your family or a friend or maybe something school-related? Even something completely different perhaps? Whatever has caused you depression, sometimes it can be extremely hard to get out of. There are some ways which you can help yourself and improve on reducing your depression. Firstly, take a look at your diet and determine whether or not you're getting the right nutrition, some foods contain nutrients required to keep us balanced in the mind as well as the body. Next, think positively. When you get moments of depression think about what's triggered it. You said little things upset you, maybe this is because you're already depressed and whatever little thing has happened just intensifies your depression? Sometimes when we're depressed we do get feelings like that, especially feelings of anger or just crying for no reason, some people don't cry at all because they're in that much pain inside. Try looking deep inside yourself and think what has triggered that moment of your depression and then thing of ways of overcoming it. Teach yourself ways of staying positive. Tell yourself words like, "I can do this!" and "I will get better!" over words like, "I can't do this" and "I won't get better". The more you repeat the positive words to yourself the more you begin to believe it but first, you must believe in yourself, believe that you can overcome those moments of depression and that you will get better. It is very hard to teach ourselves and it can be an extremely difficult thing to do but you are a very strong person, stronger than you realise! By joining TeenHelp and writing this thread, this tells you that you want someone to help you and that you want to get better. Think of this as an accomplishment and a very good one too!

You said no one you ask knows what to do, have you talked to your family or maybe a close friend? If you haven't already, have you considered talking to a counsellor because they can be very useful in helping us with our problems. As you're on medication, maybe your medication isn't right for you? Depending on how long you've been on it, it may not be suited for you and you may require something else. Not all medication is right for everyone.

Stay strong and stay positive! All of us here are willing to help you with whatever you need.