I used to be scared of the word self harm. Scared of reading about it or facing the fact that its out there and that maybe I have done it. Self harm is usually thought of as cutting ( taking a sharp object and cutting oneself ) but its more than that. Burning oneself, bruising oneself and even cutting a single strand of your hair with your fingernail is considerd self harm. And then there is actually pulling ones hair out. Its even hard for me to read these things. To think that we could and would do this to ourselves is hard to believe. But it is very common for those of us who have a mood disorder.
I think self harm is very common when one is experiencing anxiety and stress. There are healthy ways to cope with anxiety and stress, like exercise, hobbies or journaling and other self help activities. Self harm is another way to cope with stress and anxiety. When one hurts himself a chemical is released to the wound. A feel good chemical. This is what causes the addiction. Its not the pain one likes it's the bodies response to the pain that we like. So then it becomes habitual. And it works to calm our nerves so we do it again and again as a coping mechanism to feel better.
Its hard to feel negative emotions. It can be scary. We need a release. So we really need to find a healthy alternative to this unhealthy way to cope. First lets be okay with feeling a certian way and know that it is just a "feeling". We must be nice to our self. It is self harm even if it does make us feel better for awhile.
I've heard of people distracting themselves when they get an urge to self harm. Put on a cup of tea, get out some crayons and color. Even coloring lines on the paper as if you are cutting. But its on paper not your arms. I've even heard that taking a red marker and coloring on your arm as if you are cutting will release the urge and stress. Its better than doing the real thing. Sometimes when the urge is strong its hard to pass it up. It takes a strong will. Sometimes we win and sometimes it does. But when the urge does come we must have a plan. I've heard of a distraction box. A box filled with self help activities. Coloring books and paper. Cake mix to go bake a cake. Lotion for massaging your hands and arms. Fingernail polish. A stress ball, a ball that you can squeeze to your hearts content. Games or puzzles. The list can go on and on. Basically something that will take you away from self harm and help ease the negative emotion your experiencing.
Also its very important to be honest with your doctor and therapist. They can provide you with a medical and custume fit plan for you. Its hard to admit that we would harm our self but if you are I want you to seek help. We are too precious to hurt ourselfs. We are obviously hurting enough as it is. But learning other ways to cope with difficulties can make all the difference. It will take time however. Don't beat yourself up if you give in but try very very hard not to.
What are some other ways you could distract yourself when an urge to self harm comes knocking on your door?
We are in this together and we can win.
Love,
Bipolar Butterfly
<3
I think self harm is very common when one is experiencing anxiety and stress. There are healthy ways to cope with anxiety and stress, like exercise, hobbies or journaling and other self help activities. Self harm is another way to cope with stress and anxiety. When one hurts himself a chemical is released to the wound. A feel good chemical. This is what causes the addiction. Its not the pain one likes it's the bodies response to the pain that we like. So then it becomes habitual. And it works to calm our nerves so we do it again and again as a coping mechanism to feel better.
Its hard to feel negative emotions. It can be scary. We need a release. So we really need to find a healthy alternative to this unhealthy way to cope. First lets be okay with feeling a certian way and know that it is just a "feeling". We must be nice to our self. It is self harm even if it does make us feel better for awhile.
I've heard of people distracting themselves when they get an urge to self harm. Put on a cup of tea, get out some crayons and color. Even coloring lines on the paper as if you are cutting. But its on paper not your arms. I've even heard that taking a red marker and coloring on your arm as if you are cutting will release the urge and stress. Its better than doing the real thing. Sometimes when the urge is strong its hard to pass it up. It takes a strong will. Sometimes we win and sometimes it does. But when the urge does come we must have a plan. I've heard of a distraction box. A box filled with self help activities. Coloring books and paper. Cake mix to go bake a cake. Lotion for massaging your hands and arms. Fingernail polish. A stress ball, a ball that you can squeeze to your hearts content. Games or puzzles. The list can go on and on. Basically something that will take you away from self harm and help ease the negative emotion your experiencing.
Also its very important to be honest with your doctor and therapist. They can provide you with a medical and custume fit plan for you. Its hard to admit that we would harm our self but if you are I want you to seek help. We are too precious to hurt ourselfs. We are obviously hurting enough as it is. But learning other ways to cope with difficulties can make all the difference. It will take time however. Don't beat yourself up if you give in but try very very hard not to.
What are some other ways you could distract yourself when an urge to self harm comes knocking on your door?
We are in this together and we can win.
Love,
Bipolar Butterfly
<3
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