Dealing with Self Harm: Non-DBT Ways?

Yes. Prazosin is for nightmares, ptsd, and sleep. It works really well for me. It cannot be understated how much good sleep can help your mental state and health...

I've found that holding an ice cube helps, or even just drinking a large glass of really cold water. For stronger urges (and if I have the ability/time to do more), I take a really cold shower or a really hot bath. Weirdly enough, taking a hot bath while eating a cold popsicle is great at resetting my brain.

I’m so sorry you’re struggling through this. It’s so hard. What has helped me the most is to treat and talk to myself like a little kid- either imagine myself little or a little kid I know or used to. What would you tell a 5 year old that just woke up from a nightmare and just wants to bang their head on the wall repeatedly to get it to stop? In depression and ptsd your nervous system is functioning differently to where throwing logic at yourself like you would in a “normal” 🙄 state won’t work. Those are very emotional states even if it comes out as lack of emotion.. best way to deal with it is thru emotional healing or some other healthier emotional outlet. I personally like to destroy stuff (that I don’t have to clean up preferably lol and that doesn’t matter if I destroy like magazines or something to give to goodwill) or I workout or box and let all the shit surface and come out. That’s a lot to do when depressed and barely functioning but if I can manage to do so then it gives me more energy to reset and get more clear and avoid self harm. Not entirely sure what you mean by non dbt though so if you want to clarify I may be able to try and give you something different. I know what dbt is and the general tools but feel like what I said could be considered dbt. I don’t personally consider them as that’d since I feel like it involves a lot more other things for me and don’t really help myself based off of therapy labels. I just find and do what works for me and make it my own (after years of being in therapy).

I used to burn so I understand the inner turmoil and emotional pain that goes into it and how it’s released. I think what helped me honestly was just throwing all my matches. And making the best effort o could to not go buy them again. And kind of just sitting with the pain. Because it will eventually pass. But now that I think of it they might be DBT related… I think everyone is different at the end of the days so just keep trying. Even if you relapse the next day. Go easy on yourself because I’m sure you’ve been through a lot. Start again. This process is not linear at all.

👍

I don't have experience with this but I'm told ice can get the same feeling without harming yourself.