Other ways to cope.

[MissMiserable]

There is a way to to stop.

I've created a few steps to overcoming self injury.

1. You have to acknowledge that this IS a problem, that you are hurting yourself on the outside to kill the thing on the inside. It doesn't work, does it? That's why you do it so much.
2. Recognize your triggers and try not to put yourself around them, or find ways to deal with them.
3. Your behavior towards your body had become something you thought you could control, but now you can't. You're in to deep.
4. You need to tell someone you're not well and that you need help. Whether it is a professional, a parent, a teacher, a friend, or someone similar to you. I could even listen.
5. Acknowledge that there is help, and you can get better. If you set off to get help, thinking you won't get better, you won't. If you think you can, you will. Stay positive.
6. Talking to a stranger who will not pass judgment is one way of starting a honest and trustful relationship. So that in future times of dark days, you will have someone to speak with that you have grew to know to be trustworthy. Take me for example, my friend Amber. I met her in a hospital and she's helped me quite a lot.
7. Self-injury is a way to self-sooth. Congratulate yourself for finding a way to deal with you emotions. But know that it was a bad way to deal. You've developed a bigger problem than you had to start with.
8. Find other ways to cope, such as the following.


Here are some examples of other coping methods.

If injuring yourself is a way to deal with anger that you cannot express openly,
Run on a treadmill or around your block.
Scream into a pillow, but don't suffocate yourself. Remember to breathe.
Shred paper, foam cups, or paper plates.
Get an old pillow and tear it to shreds.
Buy bubble wrap and pop the little bubbles.
Take up karate or boxing so you can kick the stuffing out of a punching bag.
Get a punching bag and take it out on that.
Head bang to some crazy screaming music, it's a dance, don't hit yourself.
Put on some shoes and crush pop cans.
Take some ice and through it on the ground outside. (Wear eye protection! Trust me!)
If you're angry at someone, take their picture and say everything you've ever wanted to say to them.
Or rip their picture up.
Write them a letter.


If injuring yourself is a way to feel something when you feel numb inside,
Try holding ice or a package of frozen food.
Take a very hot or very cold shower. (Not hot enough to burn you.)
Chew on something with a very strong taste (chili peppers, ice breakers liquid ice, or a grapefruit peel).
Snapping a rubber band hard on your wrist
Scream, it'll cause your vocal cords to move and you'll feel that.
Dance like a mad man.
Play a video game, as weird as it sounds, getting high scores are uplifting.


If injuring yourself is a way to calm yourself,
Take a bubble bath.
Take deep breaths.
Write in a journal.
Draw.
Do yoga.
Make a scrapbook.
Take pictures around your backyard and edit them on your computer.
Draw on your wall (if you're allowed)
If you're not allowed to draw on the wall, draw on some paper.
Listen to mellow music, like, the Weepies.


If injuring yourself involves your having to see blood,
Draw a red ink line where you would usually cut yourself.
Pour red food coloring down a drain.
Get red coloring utensils and draw.
Finger paint.