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Mental health

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Original poster

Any Self Harmers? 'Excuse' needed...

111 replies

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 22:01

Ok, this will sound a bit silly but I need a believable 'explanation' for the scratches around my wrist...

I know I self harmed and shouldn't have done and I am getting help for it (medication & counselling but my mum is coming tomorrow to stay for a week and I really don't want to get into what I have done & why.

Has anyone got any suggestions?

If it helps, there is one biggish scratch on the inside of my wrist, 1 on the outside of my arm, a few small ones on my hand and 2 knuckles are damaged.

Really regretting this now...

OP posts:

misdee · 16/02/2007 22:59

arm warmers

morningpaper · 16/02/2007 23:00

Pinktulips I think that is really helpful advice. Safe self-harming does very little damage, compared with many other strategies.

The important thing is to take care of yourself in the broader sense, and littlemissnobody sounds like she is being really sensible.

PinkTulips · 16/02/2007 23:01

ooo, i like those misdee.... i used to make similar things from old tights back in my goth days

misdee · 16/02/2007 23:02

they are all the range these days.

mine are brightly coloured or stripey, they keep you warm.

songbirdforever · 16/02/2007 23:03

Sweetbean ... I am just an ingenue. You are right ... I don't know what it means. I'm still trying to understand what it means.

morningpaper · 16/02/2007 23:03

they are SILLY!

you must have to remove them when you go to the toilet ... or do just about anything with a small child

gothicmama · 16/02/2007 23:04

must get some as a perfect excuse to get out of nappy changes

misdee · 16/02/2007 23:04

you just pop your thumb out and roll them back to your wrist.

songbirdforever · 16/02/2007 23:06

Sorry to hijack ... but is anyone else, like me, home alone?

sweetbean · 16/02/2007 23:06

morningpaper
i think that that is a very good was to put it i just wish that back in my self harming days i had read!
It as it makes so much sence to me know. xx

Original poster

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 23:07

What tortoiseshell said is true (at least for me) - it makes your pain more real - you can see it so it is real, it's not in your head anymore.

Wierd and probably inappropriate question, morningpaper, but I am intrigued by methods that don't cut... how do you get the relief if you don't break the skin? I am trying to think of a way I could do this without physically hurting myself.

At the time, I was desperate and picking nail varnish wouldn't have occurred to me. It is a good suggestion though and I'm sure it would work for some people.

But really, thank you all

OP posts:

songbirdforever · 16/02/2007 23:09

Girlfriends ... where is the up-side?

sweetbean · 16/02/2007 23:09

Shame that post made no sence though!!!

Nemo2007 · 16/02/2007 23:10

Ice is one of the best none cutting methods that I have come across[although when in mind set to SH tend not to think of it}
red pens can be one but you sort of have to imagine they are cuts
I use those charity bands on my wrist when I want to Sh I twist them into my skin so they ache a little iykwim.

songbirdforever · 16/02/2007 23:11

Yeah great ... you're all talking about what did it for you!

Original poster

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 23:12

Pink tulips, I'm so glad somebody understands - it was the only 'safe' thing I could do at the time - I may have nasty scratches on my arm but I'm still here...

And yes, anorexia is more about control (again, in my experience) but maybe these things are different for different people.

I've never seen arm warmers before, but they look perfect for this sort of thing!

(songbird, I am home alone)

OP posts:

sweetbean · 16/02/2007 23:13

Get over yourself !!!

Nemo2007 · 16/02/2007 23:13

songbirdforever unless you know and have been there then piss off with your unhelpful comments..

Original poster

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 23:14

songbird, I don't think it is bad to talk about this - if it means I (and anyone else reading this) can find a safer way to release some of the pent-up emotions we can't really feel or let out then it is a good thing surely?

For me, my choice is my nails or a sharp implement. I hadn't considered ice but that is infinitely better, isn't it?

OP posts:

sweetbean · 16/02/2007 23:15

nemo i second that!!!!!!

Original poster

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 23:15

sweetbean, was that 'get over yourself' aimed at me?

I would if I could and am on my way there. I wish it were as simple as that though.

OP posts:

sweetbean · 16/02/2007 23:17

No love it was at songbirdforever ! xxxxxx

Original poster

littlemissnobody · 16/02/2007 23:18

ok, sorry sweetbean.

Thank you all so much - I feel an awful lot better knowing that you don't all think I'm completely insane and for being honest and helpful.

Big grateful hugs to all of you!

{{{{{HUG}}}}}

OP posts:

PinkTulips · 16/02/2007 23:19

i've found recently that if i saw at myself with something thats a bit sharp but not sharp enough to cut skin it can sometimes give the release needed. i'll use a necklace or something, and it leaves a red mark but the mark will fade unlike a cut.

PinkTulips · 16/02/2007 23:20

littlemiss, glad we could be of some help. sometimes it's enough just to know you're not alone isn't it?

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