Triggering (SH): Self Harm Thoughts 24/7

[~Creative Disaster~]

I have been having thoughts about self harm all the time. I have only really SH like a few times, so I am confused about why I keep getting so many thoughts about it. I can't act on them because I am usually with family or in public when I get the urges. I have social anxiety and GAD,depression/bipolar so SH is how I cope with it. I try to think about other things but my mind tends to wonder. I would really appreciate it if anyone had any tips on how to overcome these stupid thoughts. This is also my first thread so I was kinda nervous to open up.

[Ennui.]

Hey there!

I think that it takes tons of courage to open up, so you should be so proud of yourself for coming here!

You said you are confused about why you are having so many thoughts about self harm. One suggestion I have that may help out with that is to keep a journal. Journals are also good ways to vent out emotions. But, for the purpose of identifying triggers, write down the times when you have the urge to self harm, especially if these urges get bad. Write down the date and time it happened, where you were when it happened, what you were doing, and how you were feeling. You can even write about how you dealt with the situation. Then you can look back through this journal and see if you can pinpoint any patterns or events that you can try and get advice on or try and solve. It may be easier to stop the urges when you know what is causing them.

I know you mentioned having social anxiety, but I strongly urge you to at least try and speak to someone about this. This is a link to a list of people who may be able to help. A lot of those people are non-judgmental, which would make them good to go to. If it helps, you can even write them a letter about what is going on so nerves or interruptions don't get in your way.

This is a link to a list of alternatives to self harm. They are healthier, safer ways to cope with what is going on in your life. If one alternative doesn't work, don't get discouraged, because one definitely will!

Maybe you can find something to do with your hands to distract yourself in public, such as squeezing a stress ball, playing with Play Doh, or carrying small toys around that you can play with.

Try and find ways to express what you are feeling as well, such as writing, art, or music. Exercise is another wonderful way to release stress.

When you are at home, try and get rid of any self harm tools you have, or at least put them somewhere harder to get at, so you will have less temptation to actually use them. You can also carry around a note with you detailing all the reasons you may want to recover from self harm.

I know you can do this!

-Dez

[FireHeart]

Dez is right, you are very strong for opening up! I know that fighting urges is hard, and it's not stupid for you to have them. After you've done it once it tends to occupy your mind all the time. However, they cannot control you, only you can control you. All it takes to resist a self-harm urge is the want to not do it followed by willpower. Try maybe doing something you enjoy, expressing yourself with music, words, or art, or even stretching or excerciseing. Sometimes when your body is filled with so much tension you just don't know what to do with it so you end up self-harming, but there are many ways to release this tension such as taking a warm bath, sitting down with your favourite snack and a good book, taking a nap, or, on the more physical side, stretching all of your body, running, dancing, screaming, etc. This is just a brief summary of things you can do, the list Dez sent you to has many more great suggestions!
I wish you the best of luck

Hey,

First of all it's very brave of you to open up and seek out help. You said your confused on why you keep having self-harm thoughts because you've only done it a couple of times. Well for me it only took a couple of times before I was addicted to it. I like Dez's idea try writing down every time you have a thought about self-harm and why you were having that thought so maybe you can figure out your triggers.

I would also recommened that you talk to a therapist or a trusted adult about these thoughts and feelings so you can get the proper help that you need.

Here is a list of alternatives to self-harm that you can try. Personally I like writing, drawing and coloring. But everyone is different and you might find something else that works for you.

If you ever need to talk feel free to PM/VM me anytime.
~Frankie

[~Creative Disaster~]

Thank you all for replying. I will definitely try journaling my triggers and moods. I will also check out the self harm alternatives thread, I been there a couple of times but haven't really used any for self harm. Thanks again for being nice and giving me praise for posting this and opening up about my problems.