Gone to far to relapse.

[XxNINJAxX]

I know how everyone says that relapsing is apart of stopping self harm but I have gone way to long to do it again but I want to do it yet my counselor will find out same with my parents and then my situation will become worse so I wanna do it so bad without relapsing and I've done everything imaginable to take my mind off it then I think about it again... What on earth do I do?

[KenobiGirl93]

Ever heard of the Butterfly Project?
Draw a butterfly on your skin with your permanent marker where you want to cut and make a promise not cut while the butterfly is there. Name it after someone you love or who really wants you to stop. It's easier to resist the temptation when you think about everyone who it will hurt- other than you.
I haven't cut in about 2 months and like you, I'm going crazy. The only thing keeping me from cutting is the thought of my boyfriend and parents..
<3 Morgan

[Scotland]

The butterfly project is an excellent way to stop cutting, it will bring a connection between cutting and hurting someone else instead of just yourself, this will make you think twice before just hurting yourself because your brain will tell you your hurting someone else as well

-Scotland

[StoppingTime]

The butterfly project can work for some people, others, it doesn't have all that much affect on. You can try it, but keep in mind that it may not be able to completely solve the problem.

How long has it been since the last time you self harmed? If it has been a personal best for you, then there is only one thing to keep you from stoping. That's yourself, and your own willpower. The butterflies may work, but they may not, it really all depends on your personality. If you don't think it will work, then just think of what would happen after you broke the streak. You may feel better for, say, an hour, a day maybe, but then, you're back to square one. It happens, sometimes, and yes, it is a part of healing. It really all depends how far along you are.
The best thing to keep your mind off all this is to be with people, it seems. This way, you can't isolate yourself, and become tempted.

[FullyAlive]

The butterfly project doesn't work for me I much prefer distraction techniques. Personally I like to read or turn my music up really really loud. And recently when I get urges I just cry to myself okay it sounds stupid but it works for me calms me down without needing to cut. There's other stuff too writing, drawing, running anything really.

And I agree with Steven one of the best things is to not let yourself be alone, if you're not alone its pretty hard to cut. When you have urges go and sit downstairs with your family and make yourself stay there.

What have you been doing to get this far? Clearly that's been working so keep doing that too. At the end of the day you have to keep reminding yourself how hard you worked to get here and how its better now you're not dependent on self harm.

You can do it, keep going :hug:

[Mystique]

What is it that gives you the relief when you cut? Is it the pain, or the sight of the blood, or maybe something else.
For me it was the pain that gave me relief, so when I was quitting I wore a rubber band around my wrist that I could snap when I found my mind drifting in that direction.
For a good friend of mine, it was the sight of the blood. So when he was quitting he bought some red ink and would let some run down his arm like blood when he felt he needed to cut.
Between that and a strong will power - which it sounds like you have to have gone a long time already - we both haven't cut in over a year.

I wish you all the best. And know that one mistake doesn't necessarily mean a full relapse. Just shake it off and keep going. Like any addiction, quitting is hard but never impossible

[paterico]

Just distract yourself, it seems your thoughts might get the better of you. Distract yourself so you don't ever think about it again. I know its hard, but it'll be worth it in the end. But I'm happy for you for not self harming in ages. So yeah, distract yourself and stay away from any triggers! (:

[Listed MIA]

just think of what would happen after you broke the streak. You may feel better for, say, an hour, a day maybe, but then, you're back to square one.

I totally agree with this. just think how you will feel if you do end up doing it. Keep going. You are doing great.

If you want to share some more information then maybe people could give you more personalised advice? you know, like what's going on now that makes you want to start again and what's worked in the past kind of thing.