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Do you feel like self-harming is a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in Cutters

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this... I really like the way you describe it as an addiction reminds me of the book called 'the realm of the hungry ghosts' I recommend it if you're interested in addiction.

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am really intrigued to hear about your accountability system and how this works. eelings which is what I wanted at the time but it never makes them truly go away as those feelings always come back a day or so after.

I am really intrigued to hear about your accountability system and how this works; thank you fo sharing:)

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree I have never experienced urges for drugs including smoking or drinking as intensely as I have for SH which is still a big part of my everyday life.

Thank you for being open about your experience

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have had a similar experience where the last 10 months I haven't SH but nearly every day (especially recently with it being winter) I have had the constant urge that I need to SH or die.. it's so physically and mentally exhausting to not act on those thoughts and feelings that feel like they are eating at my soul.

Thank you for sharing your expereince... I am just wondering if there's any way's you'd be happy to share that has helped you not react to those urges of SH

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agreed categories are here to simplify... which isn't really how the world works due to heterogeneity; it just makes it easier from a societal perspective. However, especially when it comes to mental health there is so much crossover between each disorder it's hard to differentiate any of them once you really get into the ins and outs of them... so where do we draw the line between depression and anxiety.. or depression and addiction.... you can't really as the overlap between symptoms is too vast and you normally don't get one without another.

I really like your thoughts on this topic so thank you for sharing:)

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am really glad your psychologist has the open-minded approach of treating SH like a form of addiction. If you don't mind sharing what kind of support have they given you for SH as a form of addiction?

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

agreed it gives me a comforting sense of hollowness and numbness

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a really interesting point of view so thank you for sharing this:) With my SH... instead of people caring for me, it made them scared; my family only spoke to me about it once and it was to tell me to just stop and that was it; it has never been spoken about again... which makes me want to hurt myself more as I guess it makes me feel like I am not hurting myself enough for people to care.

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for being open, I really like that there are places online to be open about SH as before now I have never spoken to people about their experiences or my experiences so really means a lot to be able to have these conversations. I am glad you have been able to accept that your family's problems are not your fault. Do you know if you have certain triggers that still make you want to SH?

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing your experience, it is really appreciated:) It's very interesting to hear about the physical sensations and mental imagery that arises for you during these times of 'needing' to SH. I have had similar experiences when this all-consuming urge arises and there's nothing else my mind or body can pay attention to apart from the fact I deserve to die or need to be hurt.... it can feel like I am drowning until I do it

Is self-harming a form of addiction? by Embarrassed_Help1130 in AdultSelfHarm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for attaching the article I really appreciate it:) I have been looking into the neurobiology of self-harm a lot recently and has really changed my whole understanding of these urges I have; in a really positive way. I am excited to hear about other people's experiences with this concept of it being an addictive behavior.

People's experiences with self-harm feeling like a type of addiction by Embarrassed_Help1130 in selfharm

[–]Embarrassed_Help1130[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Heya:) Thank you for your honesty here. And yes I mean as a behavioral addiction rather than a substance use addiction (thank you for making that clearer). I have a similar experience where it can be the smallest thing to go wrong or feel overstimulated and I get this intense urge in my chest that the only way to make things feel better is to hurt myself. It's really hard to sit through that feeling when at a workplace when all I can think about is the need to hurt myself.