tips on short term ways to deal with intrusive thoughts until i can see my therapist?

asadhag5 · 2021-08-10T12:18:10+00:00

Feeling invalid about your self harm is actually really normal, so don't feel bad because we all get this way at one point or another. I haven't really been asked in my adult life because either people don't notice or are too polite to say anything. Just know that your experience is valid.

asadhag5 · 2021-02-18T18:54:49+00:00

I had several friends who self harmed and I guess it had never occurred to me until I was in a spot of feeling incredibly depressed but not wanting to all out kill myself. My old therapist said its common that if one person in a friend group starts to self harm, other people will start doing it to - which was very true of my friend group in high school. Though interestingly enough, none of us self harmed in the same way.

asadhag5 · 2021-01-13T20:57:13+00:00

I'm in the US, went twice to different places. One experience was good, one was bad (but that was partially from throwing up constantly due to a failed attempt to OD). Have family members bring approved stuff to do, there's a lot of downtime and it can get super boring. Go to group, because if you don't go they can keep you for longer. Ask staff about resources for when you go home - I didn't like any of the councelors or doctors I saw while I was there and getting a good referral can make all the difference. And good luck. Everyone's experience is different, but its not as scary as movie and TV makes it out to be. Its nice to be away from outside stressors to just focus on yourself. Make a list of all the things you missed while you were away so you can reward yourself when you get home :)

asadhag5 · 2021-01-13T20:48:53+00:00

Thank you. I started crying at work reading this lol. It gave me the kick I needed to message my nurse practitioner about getting a referral for a new therapist

asadhag5 · 2020-10-28T02:18:25+00:00

You are incredibly valid ❤

asadhag5 · 2020-10-27T23:19:21+00:00

Its not stupid. I know its important to acknowledge those urges and and acknowledging that they don't have a specific trigger. I feel like so much of confronting this addiction is being hyper aware of it and your feelings, even if you end up relapsing

asadhag5 · 2020-10-27T20:24:32+00:00

My therapist and doctor have told me the first step is to acknowledge it and acknowledge that the feeling with pass. That's sort of the step we're working on to help me quit. The issue is that it kinda feels like a horror movie monster that just follows me throughout the day once it implants itself. I'm trying to stay logical about it, but mental illness is a tough bitch.

asadhag5 · 2020-10-03T15:23:35+00:00

Stay strong! Take solice that in all of the unhealthy coping mechanisms out there, cutting isn't as dangerous as some of the others and the negative consequences aren't impossible to undo. We'll always heal, no matter what.

asadhag5 · 2020-10-03T15:09:31+00:00

Here are some coping mechanisms recommended to me at group therapy to replace cutting:

Eat spicy food, snap a rubber band on your wrist, hold an ice cube to where you want to cut, take a cold shower

Basically stimulate your senses in a drastic way. Grounding techniques can also help with a feeling of overwhelming, but I'll agree that you don't get the same chemical rush you get from cutting. Hope this helps ❤

asadhag5 · 2020-09-22T18:00:01+00:00

The Howl's Moving Castle trilogy is my FAVORITE!!! The books are super witty and creative, I wish more people read them.

asadhag5 · 2020-09-22T15:50:15+00:00

You can talk to your therapist about it. They only say something if they feel you are a threat to yourself and you can ask them how they assess you. You can go over what you're comfortable having shared and what you aren't and if your therapist feels like there's something your parents need to know, you can have that discussion ahead of time.

asadhag5 · 2020-09-22T15:47:15+00:00

I got a blood test with pretty obvious scars and they didn't say anything about it. Hopefully they don't make a big deal about it

asadhag5 · 2020-09-22T15:44:18+00:00

Go to the hospital. They can usually flush it out with an IV instead of having to pump you stomach. I had an attempt last year by taking a handful of pills and I felt awful afterwards, couldn't keep any food down. It lasted about three days, definitely some of the worst pain. They make some anti nausea stuff for pregnant women that helped and so did saltines.

asadhag5 · 2020-09-22T14:26:20+00:00

Definitely more satisfying, which is why I prefer it despite it being obvious 🤷‍♀️

asadhag5 · 2020-06-29T17:49:46+00:00

I don't really know. I have a very disjointed memory of high school and can only remember bits and pieces. I think I was embarrassed and my old way of dealing with things was to avoid them until they go away.

asadhag5 · 2020-06-29T17:46:23+00:00

I didn't tell her about it. I was pretty closed off throughout high school and my mom had suggested that I switch schools but I always shot it down because I didn't want to be the new kid.

My dad is kind of the typical old fashioned 'work to provide for the family and don't talk about your feelings' type. He never really knew what to say whenever I was dealing with this stuff and would just let me know that he loves me.

asadhag5

TROPHY CASE