Tonight's the night I'm gonna break it.

[semiunbalanced]

I've been doing so well but I can't take it anymore. My little sister is driving me nuts, I lost my best friend from High School because I don't go to the same college as her, my family doesn't care when I'm sick or crying anymore cause they just think I'm being super dramatic, and I never get to see my girlfriend. I'm losing my head. I'm crumbling under all the pressure. I can't get anything right anymore. I just need to.

[Celestial.]

Hey Kimmi.

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling like this. I know what it's like to feel that self harm is the only option - but it's not. It never is. Let's look at each of your points separately.

First: you say you've been doing well. That's great! Have you had any urges lately? And if so, how did you overcome them? Would it work now? It sounds like all the little things are piling up on you, and I know that can get overwhelming, but the trick is to get everything balanced and in perspective. It could help to just take a step back now and do something that's separate from your emotions - such as going for a run, or doing some knitting, or whatever it is that you like to do in your free time. While it's always best to deal with your emotions and the reasons for them, sometimes taking some time out for yourself can really help.

Second: your sister is driving you crazy. What sisters don't? Families can be hard, especially if you're suddenly forced to spend a lot of time together, or if you're already stressed. Things that you'd usually let slide might be getting to you more now, so it's important to make sure your reactions are appropriate to the situation - for example, say your sister takes something of yours, and you snap at her. Are you really annoyed at her, or is it something more? As always, try talking to her - explain that you love her but it might be best if you just try and stay out of each other's way for a while.

Third: you may not go to the same college as your friend, but that doesn't mean you can't still be friends and can't keep in touch. You can phone them, email them, catch up with them. It might take a while to adjust to not being that close to them, but you guys can make it work.

Fourth: as I said, being part of a family isn't always great. But I've found that communication is key, so try talking to your parents. Try to see things from their perspective, and also get them to understand yours. Work out a compromise.

Fifth: why do you never get to see your girlfriend? And even if you can't see her, you can still talk to her, can't you? Relationships aren't always easy, and they take time and effort on both sides, but they're usually worth it.

Finally, you don't need to self harm - you want to, and that's a critical difference. You can get through this without hurting yourself. Feel free to PM me if you want; and good luck with everything!

[semiunbalanced]

Thank you for your reply. I can't really talk to my girlfriend. I only get to talk to her for a little bit each day. Her mom's not exactly the most supportive person in our relationship. Also, I haven't even had any urges lately. It just suddenly came out of the blue. I just feel like I'm harboring so much anger against people and then against myself and it makes me want to punish myself for doing that.

[Celestial.]

It's good that you haven't had urges lately - that might make this one easier to get through. Just keep reminding yourself that it will pass, and as long as you don't do anything to hurt yourself, you'll be okay.

Anger is a natural feeling. It's okay to feel angry at other people, or at yourself - it's learning how to express it in a healthy way that can be the problem. It can help to write about it - why do you feel angry? What are you angry about? How can you deal with the source of this anger? Try questioning the feeling - for example, instead of just saying, 'I'm angry', ask yourself 'Why am I angry?' and 'Is that really why I'm angry?' until you get to the real root of the problem.

I'm sorry you can't get to talk to your girlfriend much. Could you perhaps suggest that she talk to her mother, and see if you can sort something out? Failing that, time works wonders. I know you've been going out for a while, but it could still take her mother some time to get used to it and accept it.

All the best.

[It's Killing Me]

Put on your best whenever you girlfriend's mother is around. Show that you are an amazing person and deserve her daughter. Be nice to her. And just try your level best. Talk to her too, like Chess suggested. Communication is key.

[semiunbalanced]

I've literally tried everything with that woman but she's convinced I'm the devil. Not just any devil... Satan himself. I've tried EVERYTHING but it's absolutely no use. So I don't know. I've given up on that. I just have to keep fighting for her but I've been so stressed and worn out lately that I just want to give in and cut again.