Punching myself when anxious

[Pacie8]

I get very intense anxiety attacks where I get completely overwhelmed. Not every day, but at least once or twice a week. I tend to start punching myself in the chest/shoulder when it happens. I can’t control it. This happened two days ago and my shoulder is black and blue. Looks awful. I’ve calmed down, but I just feel down about doing this to myself. Feel quite lonely with this and don’t want to talk to the GP or anyone else. Does anyone else experience this?

Yes. Turned out I have ADHD, I no longer do this now I’m on meds.

🤗

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I had similar issues and found DBT extremely helpful for stopping patterns of self harm. Are you getting any help or support for your mental health?

What is DBT please? I have a history of self harming when under great stress and I would like to deal with this.

I know you said you didn't want to, but I really think you should talk to your GP.

I used to, traumatic childhood. Reading Bessel can see Kolk The Body Keeps The Score helped me to understand physiologically what was happening in my body (feeling extreme emotional pain) and helped me to stop it even though I occasionally get the urge.

Thanks so much for your replies and advice. I haven’t tried DBT, but I have heard of it. I did go to therapy some years ago, but I didn’t think it helped at all, which is why I’m hesitant about it now. Might have been a bad therapist I went to, I suppose. It’s just awkward to ask for help from professionals, I think. But I feel a bit better after sharing it on here.

Part of the issue I think is that it's not so much a matter of dealing with it though conscious thought (though that helps) but it's about being able to calm and regulate your nervous system, it's a very physical experience. You need a therapist that understands this.

You do need to seek professional help. MN can’t cure MH issues OP. If you’re hurting yourself then this is serious.

Here is a link to an article explaining what DBT is

www.sheppardpratt.org/news-views/story/how-dialectical-behavior-therapy-treats-self-harm/

It stands for Dialectical Behavioural Therapy. It's often used to treat people who self harm and it is an evidence based therapy. It helps by teaching emotional regulation, distress tolerance and mindfulness.

OP, i really recommend looking into it. I know from experience how one can normalise living with patterns of self harm etc, but - you can change and deserve to live a happier life- and self harm is dangerous and not sustainable way to treat yourself.

You should speak to your gp for advice. I understand reticence about therapy, some of it can feel like Elastoplasts for broken legs or just not useful. But DBT has really really helped me and so many others. Good luck x

OP is it possible there is something else going on here like ASD or ADHD? Are you on any meds for anxiety? You deserve help whatever the case OP, no one should have to live with that level of anxiety, there's no shame in it, it's just you trying to deal with things. Please speak to your GP and get the help you deserve.

Thank you! I will look into DBT. So glad to hear it’s helped you :)

I don’t think I have ADHD or ASD. It’s always specific things that give me the anxiety and makes me act this way. Right now it’s my new job, which is quite stressful as I feel I’m not good enough.