Methods to not harm?

[theteenagerobot]

I've been dealing with depression a lot at this age and more recently I've gotten the urge to hurt myself. My friends who have had experience with cutting and self-harm have given me tips that have been pretty helpful, but I'm still scared. Anyone have any tactics to not cut or hurt myself? Thanks

[Elysium]

Find other coping methods, first and foremost. When you get the urge, distract yourself with something or someone else. Read, watch TV, exercise, cook, listen to music, etc.

[Ocelot]

put a rubber band around your wrist, and pull it back to snap it against yourself when you feel the need to self harm. you'll still get a little of the pain you want, but in a way that's much safer, and leaves no scars

[theteenagerobot]

put a rubber band around your wrist, and pull it back to snap it against yourself when you feel the need to self harm. you'll still get a little of the pain you want, but in a way that's much safer, and leaves no scars

Thanks, I'll try it!

[mermaidfairy]

Maybe one thing you can do is the Butterfly Project. Basically, you draw a butterfly on the place you most want to self harm, and you cannot self harm until the butterfly fades away naturally (you can't wash it off in the shower, etc., you have to let it fade by itself). The butterfly is able to fly away if you don't self harm until you fades. If you have a relapse and self harm while the butterfly is on your skin, you have to wash off the butterfly and start all over. It may help if you name the butterfly to make it more personal, or even have a friend draw one on your arm or wrist to give you added motivation.

Try and find ways to express your emotions in different ways as well, such as writing, art, or music, so your emotions aren't as pent up inside. You can also exercise to release stress.

It may help you to find someone you can talk to about all of this as well, because a support system can never hurt!

[Mina6871]

Thanks for sharing.
________________________
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[alltimelow]

whenever i feel like self-harming

i remind myself that one day

i will have a child of my own

and they will see my scars

and they will think

that it is okay

for them to self-harm theirselves


and then i don't feel like self-harming again.

[Castle of Glass]

here is a link to a thread, which gives you different ways to stop or not self harm: http://www.virtualteen.org/forums/showthread.php?t=190748

hopefully that will help you