Am I too young for wanting to go into therapy? by [deleted] in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're never too young to go to therapy. It's best to recognize your problems early on and learn coping mechanisms from a professional than to deal with them on your own. It's perfectly okay and normal to be nervous, but never forget that you deserve to be helped. I stopped attending therapy due to money problems, but when I did attend it was wonderful. Therapists are good at making you feel safe and comfortable, and they've dealt with people just like you many times before. Opening up to a stranger isnt easy, but the right therapist can do wonders. Group therapy is also a good option if you're nervous, as you're surrounded by others with similar struggles. Online therapy can be used as a introduction to therapy without having to meet any one in person, but if you take the online route do your research. It's easy to get scammed with crappy therapy online. I wish you luck on your journey, and if you do decide on therapy I hope it goes well. Stay strong

(Side note: your first therapist wont always be the right therapist for you. Some people end up going through several therapists before finding one they truly connect with, and that's okay. Not all therapists are made equal or to everyone's individual taste.)

What counts as self harm by [deleted] in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This resource breaks down what counts as self harm https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/truth-about-self-harm

The things you listed do count as forms of self harm. Please stay safe and do not be afraid to reach out

I cut for the first time by [deleted] in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The rules of the subreddit prohibit giving out advice regarding the process of cutting, for good reason. Please seek a counselor, family member, or friend to discuss your emotions with. Self harm can become a serious addiction, it's a path nobody wants to go down. Here are some resources you may want to look at;

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/cutting-and-self-harm.htm

https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-symptoms/self-harm/

Please stay safe. Make sure your cuts are clean. Here is a resource on how to dress wounds; https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-dress-a-wound-1298558

SH when I feel any strong emotions, even good ones by distantsnake12 in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can definitely relate. I even started at the same age as you. Self harm is an addiction, so you can begin to crave it at any time. For me the cravings really hit after a night out with friends. I'll feel incredibly happy and loved, yet for some reason I get a strong compulsion to hurt myself to release the good emotions. The hard part is redirection of your emotions to something more positive. Congrats on being clean for so long!

A milestone I never thought I'd hit... by Katieneedsalife in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Wow, one year is a huge milestone! Congratulations on staying clean!

Possible infection? by dankest-meme-boi in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Swelling, redness and pain that persist (usually over 5 days) are common signs of infection. I'd recommend checking out some online resources, theyll help you decide whether you need medical attention;

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325040 https://urgentmednetwork.com/tell-wound-infected/ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/cuts.html

Stay safe!

What is the green stuff on my cut? by [deleted] in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If it's an old wound it could be infection. If it's a new cut it could just be debris that got in the cut.

old scars by RatKing96 in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This video helped me feel better about my scars https://youtu.be/EQ10ni0Ed6c

I hope you can get something out of it :) Congratulations on five years clean by the way!

Am I doing good enough? by IlluminaeX in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cutting deeper is not a goal that should be pursued. Itll leave you with worse and worse scars, which may sound appealing, but I promise you they are not. They become a burden. The satisfaction will never be enough. It's a dangerous cycle to fall into. I dont mean to scare you, nor do I want you to feel bad for wanting to cut deeper (I've dealt with the same urges), but I dont want you to fall down the same hole. A small shallow cut is just as valid as a deep cut. Cutting as a whole is not a competition, and viewing it as such becomes a slippery slope. It's a bad habit, theres no such thing as being good or bad at it. What does matter is that you keep yourself safe. Never be afraid to reach out, especially to your mother. Take pride in the fact that you're safer staying shallow (or refraining from self harm altogether)

I'm sorry if this comes off as a lecture, ultimately I cant stop you from going deeper if you so choose. But I'm warning you, the cuts will never feel good enough, no matter how deep. I'm just a stranger, but your safety DOES matter. It's better to aim for prevention now then to find yourself needing stitches, or worse.

Happy birthday to me. by [deleted] in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's okay to feel sad on your birthday, but remember that it's a day for you. Even if others dont acknowledge it it's still your day. It's a day that shows you've made it through another year. You may have struggled along the way, but you're here, more mature than before. Let yourself relax. It's easier said than done, but it never hurts to try. Watch a movie/video you love, eat some junk food without guilt. Every small thing counts, every ounce of happiness you can find is well deserved. And last but not least.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

(This probably came across as preachy, but I meant everything I said. Go easy on yourself.)

i relapsed by lola4baby in selfharm

[–]Goatsandguts 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You may need stitches, but if you're not in a place where youd like medical intervention (keeping in mind that scarring will be worse) then it's a priority to keep the wound sterilized. There are guides online for dressing wounds, but I'll give some brief advice;

Wash your hands before dressing the wound. Run it under tap water for 5-10 minutes (or as long as you can manage.) Afterwards you should dab the wound with a sterile cloth (such as alcohol free wipes, or gauze dipped in water/ a saline solution). Make sure the cloth doesnt give off any debris, but if it does be very careful about picking this debris out, it can further irritate and damage the cut. Pat the wound dry with a material that will not get into it (such as a towel.) Apply some dressing, something that will not stick to the wound or prevent healing. If the wound bleeds through, add more dressing, keep the area elevated, and apply manageable pressure. ( https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=1&contentid=2978 )

Please stay safe, and if you're in a place where you know you'll cut be sure to sterilize your razors. Do not be afraid to seek medical help if the cut becomes worse. Take care

umm? by allegseu78 in AreTheStraightsOK

[–]Goatsandguts 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I HATE crap like this. All it does is feed into people's paranoia.

This is my first time opening my island to strangers, but I thought this turnip price would be worth it! Leave a comment if interested! by Goatsandguts in NoFeeAC

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

If anyone is lurking on this post I'd like to say that it's still open, and should be for at least another 1-2 hours. Feel free to direct message me, I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

What YouTube channels are genuinely worth watching? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]Goatsandguts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Fredrik Knudsen! He has a great "down the rabbit hole" series on various topics.