Help Needed: Struggling with Self Harm Thoughts

Find the things you love in life. What are those things? Do what you love .This helped me through many hard bouts of depression.

If you decide to keep a journal, maybe use a red pen like some have suggested and ‘cut’ the pages, make the same marks you would have on yourself. That way the only thing injured is a notebook, and you can look back on it (when you’re ready) and see any progress or possible triggers, etc.

Find something (safe) that releases the same rush that those habits do, for me music, art and writing can be really good outlets. Sometimes I would listen to aggressive music and write things that, looking back, we’re terrifying; but it was an outlet for my anxiety and everything else that didn’t hurt anyone. I hope you find something that can replace the blade, a new thing to run to when the going gets tough. This is, among many reasons, why I keep a small ‘therapy journal’ that I’ll violently scribble in until I feel better. Loved ones know that if I’m having a “wearing my headphones” day, something is stressful and it’s part of my therapy approach. I wish you nothing but the best, and I’m always here. Heck, if I knew your taste in music I could recommend a list of bands that helped save me several times. Keep going strong, you’re loved 🖤;

I can relate to this. I use to want to do alot of self harm. A friend gave me a book called Battlefield of the Mind. Has a workbook too. Written by Joyce Myers. Took me awhile to get through it because of lack of focus but it changed my thinking. I realize now that I was under great attack.. If garbage goes in like porn,negative thoughts,etc... then garbage will come out. Getting to the root cause is the only way to be free from it.I was suicidal for over 3 yrs. That was 20 yrs ago. I no longer drink or do drugs or other self harming things. It Calvo comes on cd or Audible. Changing my stinking thinking getting to the root cause of why am I doing this was what I needed. You are all unique valuable and worth so much. You deserve to be happy. If ever anyone wants to talk pm me plz. I'm here to listen and give you hope. You are reading this for a reason. You are loved and deserve to be happy. You are WOrth it...❤️

There’s a website called fatal to the flesh that like looks like you’re harming but you know it’s just a screen. Using a red pen helped me the other day. If you want to feel something, listen to some really emotional music, take a cold shower, scream, go on a walk either underdressed or overdressed for the weather. Punch a punching bag. Talk to someone about it. There are a lot of other options than harming.

Using a red pen to make it look like it can definitely help and holding an icecube to your skin to try to feel a similar pain can help too. Obviously making yourself feel any pain isn't great, but sometimes we just need one step at a time and ice is a lot better than a blade. If that still doesn't work you could try putting a drop of red food coloring on the icecube and then putting it to your skin so it will drip red. I hope you can eventually move away from needing to do this but again, one step at a time. I'm so proud of you for making it this far.

Maybe a red felt tip pen or thin marker? Then you get a similar feeling without the harm