Her cutting triggers me.

[BECCALICIOUS!]

Okay. So yesterday was a wicked tough day.
I have this... friend, I guess you could call her.
She cuts herself, and yesterday she had fresh cuts.
Not covered up at all, I could see them during English and when we walked to our lockers.
And it was just wicked triggering.
I went home and I was so close to pulling out some craft blades.
I really don't know what to do.
I don't feel like I can talk to her because we've had an odd history about talking about this sort of stuff.
I've already gone to guidance/adjustment counselors about her.
As selfish as this sounds... this isn't fair to me.
Or anyone for that matter.
And this is coming from someone who used to never cover up her cuts, even at its worst.
I guess it made me realize how triggering this stuff can be,
and I don't even have a choice whether or not to look at it.
I'm faced with it every day.
So I guess I have a few questions...
One, what should I do about this?
Two, what can I do to make this less triggering if there's nothing I can do?
Three, how do you guys feel about seeing someone else's cuts? Covering up/exposing your own?

[Pizza Slut]

Try not to look at where her cuts are, if you see one turn away and focus on something else. Have you tried asking her if she'd mind covering up because it triggers you?

I feel the same way if I see someone elses' cuts, it makes me want to do it.

[LlamaLlamaDuck]

Hey Becca Lynn
That sounds really difficult for you, it's pretty horrible having to be faced with something so triggering on a day to day basis.
Does your *friend* know that you've had problems with this yourself?
Even though you don't talk about it, it might be an idea to try and say to her that you find it difficult to be faced with them,
At the same time, it could be a cry for help, have you tried asking her about it?
Just asking her if she's okay and letting her know you're there can help her a lot more than you would think.
If, for whatever reason, she won't cover them up then try to stay focused on other things. Have a song in your head or maybe some kind of mantra (e.g. 'I am a strong person, I will not be triggered, it doesn't bother me') to keep you occupied. As hard as it might be, do your best not to look at the cuts, not only will staring at them most likely trigger you more but it could make your friend very uncomfortable.
As for your third question. I've had this problem with a friend who would always, without fail, send me a text message in the morning when she'd harmed herself, generally saying something like 'giving up cutting is so much easier said than done' and then when I see her at school, she would show me. She also once sat on the phone with me and harmed herself, telling me she was doing so. It can be very triggering but she knows now that it upsets me and she doesn't do it now, though she will sometimes still tell me.
I hope this works out for you and you can be less triggered
PM me if you ever want to talk.

[LastRedAppleStanding]

tell her to stop being so careless. If she's not covering them up she's obviously asking for help. If you do try and help her it will make you feel better and you wont feel the need to do it anymore. If you cant help her, get other people involved. You shouldn't have to deal with it if you've already been through it

[Em...]

Hello Love,

I can really relate to how triggering this surly can be. So I applaud you for taking the time and effort to write here.

If your "friend" isn't covering up her cuts then as the others have said it could be a cry for help, maybe she wants someone to go up to her and ask her what happened and to sit and talk with her. I know that I've done that before just so someone would talk with me.

I know you're not keen with talking with her, but something as serious as this....selfharming...it may be the time to talk. But it's up to you whether or not you feel comfortable about talking to her about this. Maybe you could just tell her that you find it triggering, and maybe she'll make more of an effort to cover her cuts.

If you really can't talk to her, I suggest that you try your best to stay away from her, and as tempting as it is to try to see, don't go looking for her cuts, ignore them alltogether. I know it's difficult though, so if you can't do this I understand.

If worse comes to worse then maybe you'll need to refer her to a school counsellor or someone who will be able to help. Maybe you could talk to her teacher about it and have the teacher talk to your "friend".

The way to fix this depends on your level of comfortness to approach her or someone else that could help her.

Remember though, as much as this may be triggering to you, try some of the alternatives if you feel the urge. They are listed in a stick at the top of this forum. There are many things in there, and maybe you could print out the list and stick it in her locker, as sort of a indirect way to help her....that may be a good idea.

Anyways love, I really hope that this helped a bit, and please take care of yourself. PM me anytime you want to talk.