Give me your best self harm distraction technique.

[CaulkheadUpNorth]

Just that really. If you want to self harm what do you do that means that you don't do it.

I've tried pinging a rubber band, talking to Samaritans and setting a timer. What else can I try?

Totally fine. I know everyone on here, you're on my excel spreadsheet. I forget that not everyone has one to track each persons posts.

That's not true btw.

I should get DH to do that for me. Crikey does he love spreadsheets!

Really glad some of the suggestions are helping. I can recommend a good book, Depressive Illness: the curse of the strong by Tim Cantopher. It's a good read. I found it comforting. Not about sh but that may be a good thing.

Thank you. It's only two weeks since I came out of hospital so not quite up to reading anything depression wise. Or even reading, tbh. But I'll put it on my amazon list for when things get better. :)

Fair enough, I totally understand that. I'm still struggling with concentration myself.

How is today going?

I've "lost" three hours of written work somehow on my computer and I heard today that someone close is moving away really soon.

So ok, but a bit not great. I want to goto bed but having to redo the work lost.

Oh, that's rotten. I'm sorry. Is the friend moving far? Don't worry about replying if you're getting on with your work (or don't feel like it, obviously).

I'm going to have a bath in a minute, but not taking my iPad in with me as yesterday it made a sinister gurgling noise ... think it had filled up with steam.

Currently waiting on school run for child (not mine) and it's flipping freezing.

Moving about 50 miles so not far. As well as a friend they are also a colleague and have been flipping amazing so will miss them socially and work-illy. Ho hum.

No to iPads in the bath. No no no.

How about going for a run or putting on some music really loudly and having a dance? Sounds cheesy I know but it can work xx

I'd probably live my whole life in the bath if I could.

It's crap that your friend/colleague is moving. Id like to put some positive spin on it but I can't really.

I hope when you get home you can do something nice for yourself.

Dancing/running is really good.

I've currently drawn over myself with thick pen where I want to do it, and I've set a timer. No idea why it feels like such a problem at the moment.

Thank you all for it all :)

I have no experience of this, but why do you people self harm.

To me I think it's important to get to the root of the problem.

Because it makes sense. And it hurts a lot inside and I need to make something outside hurt so I can concentrate on that. And about 20 other reasons but I can't verbalise them.

If you have a look through the thread, Piper, some of us have given our reasons, as far as we can. I agree that getting to the root of the problem is important, and that's what helped me - through therapy, working out why I was doing it and then dealing with the cause. But while that's infinitely worth it, it can be much easier said than done and can take years.
I appreciate that you're trying to help and asking, not making assumptions, but 'us people' could be your neighbour, your work colleague, or any member of your family... We're not 'us people' we're people, just like everyone else.

Just to add piper- I have three hours of therapy a week. Even if you're working through things to get to the root of stuff, you can still be having a shit day and want to return to a coping mechanism in the same way anyone else might, be it drinking too much, comfort eating or cutting.

And you're doing a bloody good job, Caulked. I'm sorry about your friend.

Sorry I typed the response several time and forgot to delete people.

Thanks for explaining, Piper.

Is your question Answred? The national self harm network website is pretty good for info

Have you tried an epilator or waxing strips or just plain old tweezers? You still get the pain but without damaging your skin.

(And you end up lovely and smooth)

Ooh I like it. Good plan. One time I tried to trim my hair and that ended up disasterously as I cut too much.

You're not Britney Spears are you?

I've got a question now.

After having tried for most of my commute home, how the fuck do you clench one buttock?

Agh no you've guessed my secret identity.

Empress- I can't do it unless I push the foot onto the floor quite hard. Maybe you already have very tight buttocks and you can't make them tighter?

Aargh. I don't want to give you another set of worries! Just tighten the muscles in your bum cheeks. Try both at once, sat down, then one at a time.