Note: The things I do when my main problem at the time, is the urge to cut...will have (**) next to them.
1. **Hold a piece of ice in your hand, or put it in a plastic sandwhich page and squeeze it, scratch at it, and just let it melt in the bag.
This helps me because I feel a burning sensation, but it's not nearly as damaging as cutting or other forms of self-injury. (Just don't hold an entire bag of ice in your hands until they turn purple...PLEASE)
Also, if you have any medical gloves and ice, put some ice in the glove and hold it. It looks funny, feels funny, and usually makes me laugh. By the time all the ice has melted into water usually I don't have the urge to cut myself anymore...Try it.
2. **Draw pictures on unbroken skin. Use a non-permanent, non-toxic pen, marker or gel pen...I think they're also called milky pens. They come in a variety of colors.
You can write your name and decorate it, the emotion you are feeling at the time, or the emotion you wish you could feel...as I know by my own experiences, that when I REALLY get that urge to cut, I can't feel a single clear emotion...
I just started using this technique while I'm at school or somewhere like that. I write "I want to cut here" on the area that I want to cut, and then I draw all around it. It should help get your mind off cutting. (Just don't write on broken skin and don't try to push down really hard...PLEASE!)
3. Go online if you're feeling lonly or need someone to talk to. There are a lot of helpful sites on the web, some are listed on my webpage. You can chat with someone on line and just vent. (I did that to my friend Kat the other day...;p) And if you can't find anyone you want to chat with you can always email me. I check my email about 5 times a day, so I'll respond as soon as I get it, unless I'm sleeping.
4. Draw pictures. I've tried to draw what I'm feeling, but I'm not a good artist. It's still fun to try.
5. **Shred up papers, preferably not your homework or important papers, but if that will keep you from harming yourself, do it! lol I have. lol
Anyway, even though it's a very bad idea to have sharp objects around the house, because it makes it easier to hurt yourself...If you have sharp objects anyway and are thinking of using them on yourself, try cutting a stack of papers, or try something I found on another webpage...try cutting up a picture of yourself, or a picture of someone who may have triggered your urge. You could also draw with a marker on a picture.
6. **Sing/listen to music. When ever I sing I feel a lot better. I don't have a great voice but singing is something I love to do anyway. So if you have some favorite tapes/cds play them and sing along, either quiet or scream the lyrics as loud as you can. Do whatever you have to do to keep yourself safe. (And unless it's after 11pm, don't care if the neighboors can hear ;p)
7. If you have any pets, play with them. I have 3 cats and they're great. lol My one cat Krissy thinks she's a dog! She plays fetch...I guess you'd have to be there for it to be funny. But it's true!
8. **Call a hotline...Sorry I don't have any numbers available...:( I'll try to find some for each state and put them up here asap. Or I find another webpage with some phone numbers and add the link here.
Well, those are my main coping skills...for now. If you have anymore please email me at [email protected] and let me know. Thanks!
Links to other sites on the Web
Remember, you can ALWAYS email me, so feel free to at any time. Be safe [email protected]
