Help I need to stop cutting

[BlueMist96]

My cuts are only surface level, but my legs scar very easily, and I'm going to have to wear shorts in just under a couple months. I know that the scars won't fade that quickly, but I want to at least stop making things worse.

Problem is that cutting has been a very useful coping mechanism for me, and I'm not sure what I can replace it with. I use it to shut down my brain when I'm spiraling and stop intrusive thoughts when nothing else works. I need to find something to replace it with, but I'm not sure what. Any advice would be appreciated :)

 

[blood...]

i cut myself in the past but as i mentioned in another post it was never some kind of addiction for me ...
but i did read a lot about other coping mechanisms on reddit but i wouldn't know how helpful they are to you
such as: rubbing an ice cube on your arms, drawing on your skin (in red)
i'm really sorry that i can't be of any real help to you ^^
hope you can stop your urge to cope in that way

 

[Dot]

Self Harm Resources

This post is written by @Dot, I am just the messenger Self Harm It's known that there are many users on the forum who self harm for different reasons. This thread is focused mostly on habitual or impulsive/physical self harm. This thread has not been made for any glorification of self harm...

sanctioned-suicide.net

 

[dearn]

I used to bruise myself a lot, instead of cutting when I wanted to stop to burn and cut. If it's too hard to not sh, u can also cut the side of the hip, even with a short nobody will see.
U can also use an elastic around your wrist and hit yourself with it. It doesn't leave mark, give u a little slap but no bruising and scars
I hope u will find your way

 

[byec560]

I would always cut over the scar tissue in areas that weren't visible with my shirt on. It's gross but when I'm in that headspace I don't care lol. I am far too ashamed to do shirtless activities like swimming though. Best thing to do would be stop altogether for sure, but I understand your difficulties.

i cut myself in the past but as i mentioned in another post it was never some kind of addiction for me ...
but i did read a lot about other coping mechanisms on reddit but i wouldn't know how helpful they are to you
such as: rubbing an ice cube on your arms, drawing on your skin (in red)
i'm really sorry that i can't be of any real help to you ^^
hope you can stop your urge to cope in that way

I'm glad you got out because it can be weirdly addicting. I remember being in the psych ward and seeing people visibly cringe when they heard about my SH. I thought it was funny at the time, but now that I'm not under the spell anymore it's strange for me to look back on. A very strange compulsion fr.

 

[Isolatedloner]

I have SH scars. Acceptance helps.

 

[Sharly]

Mostly used lighters myself to reset my brain when the thoughts grew too loud before I went to therapy. Used to heat up the metal part with the flame and pressed it on the inside of the elbow since it left the least amount of visible scaring.

The thing that stopped me from behaving this way was meditation. Didn't work in the beginning but once you manage to reach the empty state with some reliability you can use it to cope and flush bad thoughts to keep on trudging.

Next, my friend used to use blades on herslef, and like @Isolatedloner said, acceptance of the marks is what made her pull through.

 

[Isolatedloner]

Mostly used lighters myself to reset my brain when the thoughts grew too loud before I went to therapy. Used to heat up the metal part with the flame and pressed it on the inside of the elbow since it left the least amount of visible scaring.

The thing that stopped me from behaving this way was meditation. Didn't work in the beginning but once you manage to reach the empty state with some reliability you can use it to cope and flush bad thoughts to keep on trudging.

Next, my friend used to use blades on herslef, and like @Isolatedloner said, acceptance of the marks is what made her pull through.

I should try meditating. Likely going to start a little soon in fact. Btw I'm a man but that was not annoying at all :) just a funny assumption on an anonymous suicide discussion website. I'm a solitary person hehe. Acceptance is my creed of choice. Kind of not because I'm here. Have a good day

 

[Sharly]

Sorry, no assumptions were made, my grammar might have been a bit misleading now that I read it again hahaha

 

[adamantc]

My cuts are only surface level, but my legs scar very easily, and I'm going to have to wear shorts in just under a couple months. I know that the scars won't fade that quickly, but I want to at least stop making things worse.

Problem is that cutting has been a very useful coping mechanism for me, and I'm not sure what I can replace it with. I use it to shut down my brain when I'm spiraling and stop intrusive thoughts when nothing else works. I need to find something to replace it with, but I'm not sure what. Any advice would be appreciated :)

You need to pinpoint what makes you like self harm. Is it drinking the blood, the physical scars, or other things? Don't attempt random 'alternatives': you need an alternative that replaces the part of self harm that you love. For me, the drinking of blood was the main part. With a phlebotomy kit and some blood bags (I am formally trained in this), though, I have alleviated much of the risk of infection and the scarring that causes judgement, while still indulging in what I love. You might find that the alternative makes you feel even better than self harm, as it focusses on your favourite part of self harm.

 

[byec560]

You need to pinpoint what makes you like self harm. Is it drinking the blood, the physical scars, or other things? Don't attempt random 'alternatives': you need an alternative that replaces the part of self harm that you love. For me, the drinking of blood was the main part. With a phlebotomy kit and some blood bags (I am formally trained in this), though, I have alleviated much of the risk of infection and the scarring that causes judgement, while still indulging in what I love. You might find that the alternative makes you feel even better than self harm, as it focusses on your favourite part of self harm.

Idk if this is in your wheelhouse, but why do some people drink the blood? Feel like this is not something I hear about much.

 

[adamantc]

Idk if this is in your wheelhouse, but why do some people drink the blood? Feel like this is not something I hear about much.

I find it nourishing, and beautiful. The taste and the feel of it on my skin is especially rewarding. My fascination and love of blood is one of the reasons why I am working at the job I am now! When I had a pretty severe ED (years ago) I would drink blood only.