Cutting..

[lovedance4ever]

Some very upsetting things have happened in my life the past couple of weeks. I already have a lot of depression, as I am sure some of you know from my previous posts. However, now I am again getting the urge to cut. When I was about 14 or 15 I tried it once, but thankfully I stopped myself before it turned into a habit. But lately, I am getting an extreme urge to start cutting. When I was a dancer, some of the physical pain I felt greatly helped to numb my emotional pain. Yesterday, I was so tempted that I had to force myself to turn my thoughts elsewhere, and I also made sure I was in the company of others (because obviously it would be difficult to do anything then).

Please pray for me that I will continue to resist this temptation. It feels like there is no other way to get rid of all of this anxiety, hurt, depression, etc. I’ve begun to wonder if I will ever be happy. Why do bad things happen all the time? Why do some people get everything, have friends, and are content in life while others are not? How is that fair?

Sorry for ranting. Please pray. Right now, the only place where I feel at peace is during Mass. Thing is, I need to be able to function in everyday life…and I’d like to be able to do it with less anxiety and sadness.

 

[underacloud]

I will pray for you.

But…

When you are having urges to cut yourself, you must recognise that you need to find help and discuss these feelings with a professional in the field of mental health, perhaps even a team who can address your issues from a range of perspectives (eg behavioural and medication).

 

[1love]

I’m praying for you. I have gone through this before and was able to stop after many years, by the grace of God.

I never tried this, but others who have had problems with cutting were able to resist the urge by putting a rubber band around their wrist. When they felt the urge to cut, they snapped the rubber band on their wrist. It gave them a little sting, and I don’t know if it helped them snap out of that mood or gave them a little sting of pain that distracted them from cutting, but they were able to wean themselves from cutting in this way. I hope you are able to find something that works for you. Remember the first step is to stop that initial thought…as soon as you start to think about harming yourself, turn your thoughts right to God and prayer. You are not only loved by God…you are beloved. If you were the only person in the universe He would still go to the Cross just to save YOU. Lots and lots of prayers…I remember how hard it was for me to go through those years of cutting and my heart especially goes out to those who suffer with it.

 

[Xantippe]

When are you going to get professional help or at least an IRL support group? (I’m not sure what kind of support group would be suitable, but there’s very likely something on a large college campus, and student health services would be able to give you pointers.)

 

[Honour]

I never tried this, but others who have had problems with cutting were able to resist the urge by putting a rubber band around their wrist. When they felt the urge to cut, they snapped the rubber band on their wrist. It gave them a little sting, and I don’t know if it helped them snap out of that mood or gave them a little sting of pain that distracted them from cutting, but they were able to wean themselves from cutting in this way…

Remember the first step is to stop that initial thought…as soon as you start to think about harming yourself, turn your thoughts right to God and prayer.

Wow, this is so very much along the lines of what I was going to post. I also cut for many years. I used the rubber band trick as well, it gives the pain sensation without harming your body, and provides a very kinetic, physical, tinker-toy like distraction even just playing with it like a fidget toy (not nessisaryily snapping it). Another thing that I would do is write prayers, bible verses, and inspirational messages on the rubber band as a reminder of positive things. I would stretch out the band as far as possible, then write the words, when you let go, it shrinks back together and no one can read it till you stretch it back out. The rubber bands that come on asparagus were my favorite.

Running was also good for me.

Praying for you.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Oh sweetie, I know what you’re going through. Depression and stress cause us to do insane things. My father died a few weeks ago and a week later I ended a 2+ year relationship. The last day I was with her, I burned my arms with a hot knife, banged my head until I was badly concussed and gave myself a black eye. I also took a large (but nowhere near fatal) dose of Valium. I’m a man who’s over 50 years old. I have an advanced degree and a professional job. I’d never done anything like this before. It scared me. The next morning my 22 year old daughter met me for Mass and, saw the burns and black eye. She set the family in motion. My kids and ex wife rushed to help me. My daughter called my best friend who’s a doctor. He examined me. I had bleeding inside my skull. I sought help with a therapist. I went to confession. I prayed. Slowly it’s getting better although the urge to hurt flares up repeatedly but I don’t give in.

God loves us so much. It pains him dreadfully to see us hurt ourselves. Ask for the grace to feel the deep love he has for you and to perceive some of the many blessings he bestows upon you each day. Also seek help. A good therapist (not one who’s crazier than either of us.) Adlerian therapists are best. Look for one with the initials PsyD after his/her name. Put your hand in God’s. This will pass if you take the right steps.

In tears writing this. Don’t hurt yourself. God loves you and it breaks his heart to see any of his children harm themselves.

 

[lovedance4ever]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful responses. I definitely want to try the rubber band trick…I think that will actually help quite a bit. Also, I am going to look into visiting with the counselor at my college. I am already on antidepressants (which help, believe it or not lol), but talking to a professional is probably a very good idea.

Again, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. May God bless all of you.

 

[Booter]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

[lovedance4ever]

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thank you so much.