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?

Thank you

Sadly I came out of a and e and felt so angry with myself that I had done it severely enough to end up there that I desperately wanted to do it again. It felt like it was the only thing to do.

I didn't, I ran up and down the stairs as many times as I could when I got home. So today I'm feeling a bit bittersweet about it. Does that make sense?

yes, I understand

Often we are our own worst enemies aren't we . Odd isn't it! but also ok , and yes, completely understandable.

Its always sad when someone wants to hurt themselves and i hope you feel the same protection for yourself and the running up and down the stairs is a good protection

If someone else told me they were hurting themselves I would help them not to, tell them how special they are etc. I can't do the same for myself ever very often. I am better at self-soothing than before, and found this thread so helpful to see what other people do.

Can you think about the best advice someone else could give to you to stop. How would they say it and what would they say? for thinking for you, not for need to reply on here

I stick sellotape all over the palms of my hands. Lots of layers. Then I scrunch my hands up over it. I find that calming, but I think my issue is more to do with feeling out of control and needing some containment. I hope you're OK, OP. I haven't self harmed for 20 years, but these last few months have really been a problem for me and it's started to seem like a coping strategy that might get rid of those feelings for a bit. It's very scary to have it all come back like that.

Oh crap, only read the first page. Sorry OP.

Hey, welcome to the party. It's a pretty messy one right now with steri strips and glue but it get better. I really hope you can find some things here that help and you can ignore all my warblings I love the Sellatape idea. I used to put pva glue on me and and peel that off, so will try the tape. Thanks :)

Good. I'm sorry about the messy. I hope it does get better. :)

It will. It always does :)

I think you are right Kim. I consider its pain turned inwards rather than outward.

it is if you have PTSD, self-medicating, head banging, all sorts, its all self-abuse/harm.

What is compassion based therapy?

Yeah that makes sense, the triggers are really important. I guess the thing to manage is knowing that something is a trigger and then not acting on it.

How is that different to normal therapy? I have an integrative psychotherapy and we do that sort of thing.

Hi Kim I have done compassion based therapy, it has a specific model to enable you to be kinder to yourself, it is really very good. Although tbh I still SI but it has helped me see things in a different way.

this: knowing that something is a trigger and then not acting on it

yes, definitely knowing that something is a trigger, and then understanding why it is so very painful for you and being ready to catch yourself when you fall.

The pain inside is unbearable for you to self-harm to relieve it. There's more than one way to skin a cat (as the hideous saying goes!)

I'm finding this thread so helpful, as it is helping me to think more about it, rather than just distract myself. Thank you.

Currently on day 4 of No Self Harm.

Excellent .

i'm hoping that you know starting to know some of the things that might have been causing this pain, and also get supports for those? Then the pain will start to ease, as well as you beiing more able to rescue yourself when you notice pain was triggered.

Its lovely to hear that you've had some time SH free, be sure thats not a for pressure for you too .