How do you stop cutting

[RedCrrazy-Masked]

I cut again and no that I'm trying to stop it seem to be getting worse and now I can't stay a day clean and i just don't know what to do anymore:(:(:(

[Harley Quinn]

I have said this in a previous post but I do think it still applies:


Distractions. Distractions. Distractions. They're the key to anything when it comes to wanting to stop things. You need to replace self harm with something more productive or even less harmful, for example get an elastic band and every time you want to hurt yourself, flick it. Yeah it kills like a bitch, but it helps. Ice is also an effective method, squeeze it, hold it, put it on areas you'd self harm. Running is good, you take all the energy you have and you run it out/exercise it out. You'll release the same endorphins you would as when you self harm and 9/10 times you'll just want to sleep. Hot candle wax is good, it doesn't do damage and it's like the ice thing only hot instead of cold. Basically what I'm getting at is distractions are key here.

[Castle of Glass]

Distractions are good, like Sio said. here are a couple other ways you can also stop:


Method 1:
Go for 24 hours of no cutting. then, if you make it, got for 3 full days of no self harm(72 hours). If you cut in those 72 hours, you have to start all over. But if you make it(even if you cut on the 4th day), go for a full week(7 full days). And again, if you cut, you have to restart it. once you make a week(even if you cut on the 8th day) go for a week and a half(10 days). And keep repeating. If you cut during the time you are not suppose to, you have to start again. Keep doing this month by month and you should do fine.

Method 2:
This is the Butterfly Project (http://butterfly-project.tumblr.com/). What you do is you get a permanent marker and and draw a butterfly near where you cut. Inside or next to the butterfly, write the name of someone you care. You must keep this butterfly alive. If you cut, it dies. If you rub it off it dies.

Method 3:
This is the last method I know of that i can generally give you with out know your individual story. It is called the Paper Chain Project (http://ourroadtorecovery.tumblr.com/post/18677215363/the-paper-chain-project-by-gravityhappens). To do this method, for everyday you go without cutting or self harm, you add a colorful chain. If you relapse, you add a white chain, but you keep adding. The more you go with this project, the more you see your progress. So you can see that you can go without cutting for longer periods of time.

and here :hug:

[Mynick]

From what we talked in the chat i know you can't draw in yourself. But try to find a lot of hobbies and check the Paper Chain project, it seems a great idea.
You said you dont get really tired, but could you run a bit more? Run the max you can and when you come home you just want to sleep.

[RedCrrazy-Masked]

I have said this in a previous post but I do think it still applies:


Distractions. Distractions. Distractions. They're the key to anything when it comes to wanting to stop things. You need to replace self harm with something more productive or even less harmful, for example get an elastic band and every time you want to hurt yourself, flick it. Yeah it kills like a bitch, but it helps. Ice is also an effective method, squeeze it, hold it, put it on areas you'd self harm. Running is good, you take all the energy you have and you run it out/exercise it out. You'll release the same endorphins you would as when you self harm and 9/10 times you'll just want to sleep. Hot candle wax is good, it doesn't do damage and it's like the ice thing only hot instead of cold. Basically what I'm getting at is distractions are key here.


I tried but it doesn't work most of the time

[AMERICANelite123]

From my own personal experiences with self harm, it wasn't hard to stop, it was hard to steer clear of doing it again. I learned to hold on for as long as I could to the feelings until I couldn't bare it and I would self harm then. I got to the point where I could hold off for so long I would even forget about it all together. Everyone has their own method of kicking the habit. Another was me joining roller derby, it really helps me get aggressions or issues out on the track, I've hardly done it since I started 3 years ago. I have never completely quit though... but when I have it has been more painful and harder to do to myself, I'm almost afraid of it now.
Just try focusing on things that will distract you! Maybe try something like an exercise that you can really kick butt in and throw out everything bad while doing it.

[whywontthiswork]

I didnt distract myself but i had someone who loved me found out and she was devestated. It was my bestfriend Sarah and she cried. The reaction suprized and hurt me at the same time. I thought to myself sure i can hurt myself but my bestfroend never. So what im trying to say is think of somone you love and everytime you go to cut think of them and how they would feel if they knew what you were doing.

[Kuurachan]

Remember that we are a community. A community people who both feel sadness, darkness and loneliness. We may not know each other, but it makes us connected.
I've wanted to cut, but I made myself let out the sadness onto paper with writing and poetry or singing and even talking to myself when nobody was around. It may be just you, but even now that I'm past the toughest part of my depression, I still talk to myself when nobody is around and it's surprisingly comforting. Nobody knows you better than you, so you don't have to worry about what to say. Sometimes you are the best friend you could ever have.
YouTube, tumblr and writerscafe are great ways of getting your mind on something and ways to express yourself. If you have a camera, start a YouTube channel and make videos about what you like. If you like writing and poetry, start writerscafe and run in contests on Pacific categories. Try using your emotions and memories to your advantage to make a story, book or poem be even more realistic and creative.
If you like comedy, start tumblr where there are strange things to say the least 0_0
Just forget the bad feelings in general, because you're strong and in control of your decisions and life. Remember, we are a community of those trying to climb up these stairs of sorrow to each reach a kind of life that we long for. Don't give in, and climb with us.

[West Coast Sheriff]

As a religious person I suggest prayer. If you aren't, I'm fully understanding and my second suggestion is to just put in earphones and listen to music. Both have helped me to stop. ;)