Stories
Privacy
Download
See Alike in...
Alike App
Browser
564d
TW SH I just had the realization that I used to SH as a coping mechanism because it used to make me feel better...but now I use it as a punishment whenever I feel like I deserve to be in pain. I was just wondering if anyone else went from one to the other like this.
4
12
Share
Self-inflicted injury
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Chronic Generalized pain
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Generalized pain
advertisement
557d
@Lin92 cool idea
1
558d
I used to burn myself. I've replaced SH with tattooing myself. It has actually curbed my urge to SH all together, and I have some cool tattoos that I did myself.
I used to self harm about 10 yrs ago i stopped doing it cause i felt like I didn’t need to self harm anymore like my brain told me to stop and i did i have scars to show that i used to do it now everytime i want to self harm i just look at my scars and in that moment i dont want to do it anymore
@Fwd1982 that's a good thing to do if it stops you. Proud of you.
@FernGrimm thank u
that's understandable and I know what you mean but self harm is bad. I do it too and I know it's hard but it's not impossible to try and manage to where you don't do it as much if you do. Maybe one day we can all stop and find like pain that won't need to leave marks? Like a rubber band or make not permanent ones or get tattoos and piercings.
0
562d
It's usually both for me, probably. When drinking was how I did it, I needed something disgusting and painful sometimes. Occasionally I harm to reset my brain, like there's an immense pressure inside that I can only relieve through external pain, and something will click me over from this vulnerable self in crisis to one that can cope. I think a lot of times I just want some external evidence of what I feel, like I will always cover it up in front of people who can't understand it, so I need some marks that can't be hidden. Sometimes it's about an intrusive image and thought playing in my head over and over until I do it. It caused me to make a line down my arm once, that is still a little visible a year later.
2
I think it's always both from my experience. When punishing myself there's still a part of my that wanted to hurt enough physically to not hurt mentally. Even if I felt guilty along with the pain like I deserved it, the physicality would overwhelm the mental focus or satiate it. Might I offer, someone told me once that these things are almost like communication, when things are too heavy and we can't process it into what we need, we manifest that feeling in choosing to intentionally harm ourselves. If your tears in that moment had a voice, what would they say? It caused me pause, and I hope it brings a little calm in your moments of chaos.
563d
I’ve done it for both. Usually I was hurt so bad I wanted relief, but sometimes it’s like I desperately wanted to punish myself before anyone else could. It felt extremely similar to addiction.
3
Yep and sometimes I just like the look of my blood when in psychotic episodes and sometimes even afterwards. It's very shameful.
Yep, back and forth. Seems to serve many purposes now that it's been part of my life (on and off) for years.
☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision
Want to chat or share? Download the Alike app now and get complete access to Alike.health's unique features.
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
Write your question here...
Download Alike for the full experience
Copy Link
Copied
Discover your Alikeness™ with people who are on the same journey, gain wisdom and get emotional relief in a secure & anonymous space.
4.7 Ratings
Scan code or click below download the app
Bupropion
night sweats
paranoid
Valium
sertraline
palpitations
Anxiety (Including GAD)
Depression
Alike health
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
Related Questions