self harm

Hi @tige

Welcome to the forums, I'm glad you are here, I can understand exactly what your mean about feeling the pain, its how i get too. Resisting is really difficult but you have worked really hard to keep from doing it for so long. If you have a lot of energy would it help to go for a walk/run or do something else physical (mow the lawns/mop the floors) when the urge is strongest? Or other distractions like using ice cubes on your skin or flicking a rubber band.

I can also understand about not wanting to become stuck. past truama's somehow have a way of overhwlming me and taking over. I've been working on building strategies to learn better ways to cope with the ptsd or cptsd that i have but lately im not sure i've come so far at all, but other days, i know that I've got a lot more strategies for coping than i have had before.

LJ

Hi @tige

Such awareness!

You are demonstrating insight, showing awareness of the shifting emotions and implementing a delay before acting. Just stop and reveal in that for a moment...

Previously how have you managed when things have become rocky? Do you know what works for you during stormy times?

I guess if you haven't already this would be a perfect time to engage with supports.

1. You are being triggered by past trauma, good time to look at what's causing this and a space to explore emotions

2. You are looking for ways to change old behaviours, a good time to ask for help as you practice new behaviours rather than reverting to past behaviours

3. You are experiencing a range of intense emotions that are difficult to sit with, a good time to explore other strategies to manage emotions as @Former-Member mentioned that may work

Best wishes

Hello @tige

I associate SH urges with surges of energy too. After a while I heard the words overwhelmed and it helped to be able to say that I was overwhelmed. It has helped to find words for my experiences.

Have you had any success directing your energy into other actions?

Take care.