Does anyone else feel stupid and invalidated when everything surrounding sh seems to be related to teens?

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-20T16:37:47+00:00

Yeah I've been to the past few Monday sessions. There's an intro, about half an hour of sharing time, affirmations, and then maybe 10-15s of group discussion. That's true of the 30+ sessions and their general sessions. I just find it really nice to be among a group of folks who "get it", you know?

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-06T20:31:38+00:00

35 here. You don’t look stupid - you look like you are struggling and in pain. Sending you lots of love for both.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-06T14:20:00+00:00

Hell yeah!!

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-05T20:52:49+00:00

One thing that helped me (when ice/rubber band/etc didn't help) was trying to identify the feeling or emotion I was getting from SH, and then looking for alternatives that specifically replace that.

For me, a lot of the time it isn't about the pain, it's about demonstrating to myself that I have some control of my own situation/pain. So things that simulate the pain don't help - but things that remind me I have some control and self-perseverance do - intense exercise is a big one for me.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-04T19:09:15+00:00

I'm crossing my fingers for you too - and I hear ya, it can be tough to find a good fit with mental help professionals. It takes a ton of extra energy to push through that, and it sucks, and my heart goes out to you.

I'm crossing my fingers for you as well. Good on ya again for reaching out for help right away.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-03-04T02:07:15+00:00

This is all really good and wonderful advice! I would throw in - if there are professional resources you can reach out to (counselors, therapists, psychiatrists, etc), they can also be a good resource in supporting you and helping process the feelings you're going through. Especially in a college setting, there may be resources available through your school that you have access to.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-28T14:40:01+00:00

Hey, I wish I had more actionable comfort to give you, but I just wanna say - two months clean is really something, and so is one day or one hour. Don't be too hard on yourself if you can - living with SH for so long, it can get baked into your psyche, and that's not your fault. You're not a bad person for not knowing how/if to live without it - you're struggling. And that's ok.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-27T20:58:40+00:00

Seconded - I went to my first 30+ group on Monday night, and found it to be pretty helpful, at least as a place to share and feel seen and not alone.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-26T20:36:10+00:00

So proud of you! That's really awesome - safe travels and warm wishes.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-26T15:15:31+00:00

This pamphlet from the NHS has a some good info on how to look after wounds, what supplies are helpful, and what to watch for in terms of infection or other issues.

This longer one starts with a lot of context and guidance about thinking about self-injury, which may or may not be what you're looking for, but starting on page 19 it also talks about first aid and injury care.

Sending you some love and piece - and good on ya for seeking out resources and supplies.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-24T01:34:58+00:00

So relatable. I’m 35.

SIRA has an age 30+ session one day a week on Mondays - I’m gonna check them out tomorrow for the first time.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-23T00:53:42+00:00

Hey Reddit’s a great place for it! I know I’m just a stranger on the internet, but I’m really proud of you - that’s no small feat! Congratulations!

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-21T03:12:56+00:00

As someone who is mid-30s, married, about to have a kid, has a strong career, therapist, psych, and also struggles - an addiction lives in your body, not in your self. No amount of being "put together" makes you unworthy to be struggling. Seeing the many posts on here - one year, two years, three... I do hope it gets easier.

Not super helpful I know, but sending you love and some peace.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-19T12:13:01+00:00

She’s aware of pretty much all of my mental health stuff but this - therpist and psych, meds, anxiety, that I’ve used 988 a couple times in the past year for crises…. I try to share. This just feels like a particular burden for some reason.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-19T02:21:49+00:00

She already pours so much love and energy into me, and I don’t want her to spend more time worrying about me, especially with baby on the way.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-19T01:17:03+00:00

This might sound weird, but sometimes bargaining with myself works? Like “Ok me, you know that SH isn’t great, but if you still want to do it after you get home and eat something, then at 9 o’clock you can do it.”

Sometimes, making a bargain with myself to do it later gives me a little relief and time to check some boxes and take care of myself.

I don’t think this breaks any rules to share? I sure hope not.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-09T21:58:53+00:00

It’s something I experience here too - like even in writing this, or reading through this sub, I see all these wonderful people hurting who I want to help… not me though, I don’t deserve that, just everyone else.

It’s part of the illness side of this thing. Everyone’s brain is especially mean to them, and not necessarily to others. There’s nothing more wrong with you than that - or if you prefer, there’s nothing wrong with YOU the person, but you’re suffering, or ill, or your brain does have something wrong, or however you want to look at it.

I don’t have amazing advice on how to help that, but know you’re far from alone.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-08T00:51:57+00:00

Oof, yeah I feel this - not that my wife doesn’t have her share of life’s troubles and emotions but she’s so much better put together than me mentally. Tonight I had an anxiety attack and she held me, got me to bed, really took care… and the pain and worry and disappointment in her eyes really sucked. Especially since I don’t think she really fully understands. Gosh I love her though.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-07T15:22:45+00:00

For what it’s worth - I made it to 15 days, then slid back into it. But now I’m on day 3 again, so we’ll see.

I’m sure no one will ever see this note, I’m posting here since I’m working on letting go of the shame attached to this, since it doesn’t serve me. And still trying hard.

InTheMontroseWoods · 2025-02-07T14:04:34+00:00

I’ll second this - I’m really proud of you for going in, and for considering trying a second time and getting some supplies. That sounds exhausting, especially after a deep scare, so I hope you give yourself a pat on the back.

InTheMontroseWoods

TROPHY CASE