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TheVorticonSenior Contributor
I occasionally engage in self harm. Generally for me there's two main triggers for it. If they come up then I'll usually do it. If they don't, then I don't.
I've never really cared about stopping but I'm starting to feel a bit curious about the idea.
For those who have chosen to stop - What motivates you to decide to quit? Why do you make a list of alternative things to do instead? Why follow the list?
In response to: Ins and outs of deciding to stop self harm
The-red-centaurSenior Contributor
@TheVorticon hey
I can identify with bits other have already said.
The thing that helped me the most to stop was actually not trying to stop, but instead just focussing on other things. Like @tyme I was addicted to it, my life revolved around how and when I was self harming. I worked with a great therapist and a great behaviour practitioner, and my psychiatrist helped a lot too.
Filling my life with things I loved and enjoyed and finding my own purpose for my life helped me a lot. My purpose was art, in creating beauty instead of destroying myself and everything around me.
Turning my focus from "i have to stop harming" or "i wont self harm today/this week" or "i have gone x days, i cant give in now" to "i will try my best to accept myself today, and find something beautiful in my world, even if i cant see it in myself" or "if I do or dont today, at least I'm still going/trying" I was taking it a day at a time, not expecting anything from myself, and just doing what I could to get me through each moment as best as I could. Slowly the desire, and intrusive obsessive thoughts to hurt myself began to fade and other things were able to fill my mind.
Im sorry if I said too much or thats too long. As tyme said, everyone is different, finding what worked for me isnt going to work for everyone, and what worked for a lot of people didn't help me. Be open to many possibilities or a combo of them. I found it wasnt just one thing, but a process and one I will probably continue to go through a long time, but I am happy to acknowledge that it has been a long time since I engaged with sh
In response to: Re: Ins and outs of deciding to stop self harm
tymeModerator
Hey @The-red-centaur @TheVorticon @AlwaysMyself @Lapis_Anteater ,
How are you? I'm mindful this journey to stop SH can be challenging at the best of times so I wanted to check in to see how things are going.
We're here to support each other.
@The-red-centaur , thanks for sharing your experiences.
In response to: Re: Ins and outs of deciding to stop self harm
TheVorticonSenior Contributor
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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