Why am i so addicted?

[IsabellaJane]

I've recently started self harming, its been one week now, and all i can think about is when and where i will cut myself next.
I can't stop thinking about it, it is constantly in my head.
Help me please, why is this?

[DarkHorses]

Hey Bella,

A lot of people who self harm become addicted to it, and the simple reason is because they lack other alternatives to deal with the problems they're facing in life. When you have a hard time your first instinct is to turn to something that can help you. These are called coping skills. Some, though, such as self harm, are negative coping skills. The second something goes wrong or you feel depressed, you want to cut. Sometimes you want to cut for no reason, simply because you've become so dependent on feeling that pain in order to get through your day.

It's hard to quit, but it's harder when you've been self harming for quite some time. So I think it's a great thing that you realize this is a problem and are asking for help so soon. A lot of people have trouble even seeing cutting as a negative thing, so it's really a great step that you're able to realize that it is.

I think the important thing to do is come up with alternatives to cutting. When you're feeling down it might be your first instinct to cut, but instead do something more positive. Take a walk, write down how you're feeling, talk to someone about how you feel, watch a movie, go online, etc. Anything that gets your mind off of hurting yourself and of whatever it is that's bothering you.

I think it also might be important to try and find the reason that you started cutting in the first place. There may be a few problems you're currently struggling with that have led you to self harm, and talking through them and working to resolve them might help also resolve your problem with cutting.

I hope this helps. Good luck. :)

[UnknownError]

Because, simple enough, its an addiction.
You start to crave it after just a few cuts.
You've only just started, so try to stop. It will only get worst the more you cut.
If you dont already know some, try these next time you feel the need to cut:
Ping a elastic band on your arm.
Squeeze an ice cube.
Take a cold shower.
If you want to talk you can leave a mesage on my profile or talk to anyone on this part of VT. :hug:

[Fiction]

As everyone has said, it's an addiction. It's an addiction that can take hold pretty quickly as I know. I had cravings for self harm as soon as i'd done it for the first time although it is easier to stop the sooner you try.
You should try to get rid of whatever you use to cut yourself as this is the most useful thing you can do in stopping. Make it so that you have no other option to not cut. Once you have done this you just have to wait. I know it's not as easy as that but the longer you can go without it the less you will need it.
Feel free to Vm/pm/email me if you need any help with anything :)

[georgiamay]

Like everyone has said, it's an addiction for most people who start to self harm. It's because you start to associate that good feeling of release you get with cutting, or any other form of self harm. If you look around this forum, you'll realize that you are not alone, and that self harm is a problem for many others as well.

The best thing to do is to get rid of whatever it is you use to cut yourself with, and make sure you have something to keep yourself busy when you feel the urge to cut. Also, I find that counting seems to help. Count the amount of days it's been since you last cut, and give yourself aims to get to a certain number, and then aim higher, then higher, until you don't need to anymore. Also, wearing an elastic band around your wrist is a good way to stop, if the pain is the reason you cut. Whenever you have an urge, snap yourself with it, and it should go for a while, but don't over do it.

Another thing is to remind yourself of all the reasons not to cut when you have an urge, and focus on them.

Everyone here understands what you're gonig through, and we're all here to help.

PM me anytime if you need someone to talk to :hug3: