"Eventually, I realized that the cutting could only mask my pain, not eliminate it."
How I did it: The biggest thing that helped me was my realization that I didn't want to be 25 years old and still cutting. I didn't want to have to hide my scars on my wedding day. I didn't want to be someone's mother and still need to cut. That gave me the motivation to stop doing it. In terms of actually stopping, it was really hard, but my family and friends supported me and I kept trying, even after I slipped up a few times I refused to give up.
Lessons & tips: -Distract yourself. When you get the urge to cut, go on a walk, call a friend, do anything to distract yourself from that desire. Eventually it will pass and you'll be able to move on. Practice not giving into the urges...you don't have to let them rule your life.
-Find a different coping mechanism. Cry, scream, journal, clean, walk the dog...whatever will help you get your frustrations out in a constructive manner. Finding this will help a lot because it can be a substitution for cutting and eventually replace it.
-Get rid of all your old "tools." Knives, scissors, razors, whatever you used, get rid of it. If need be, get rid of all of the sharp things in your house. If that's not possible, get out of your house/as far away from the sharps as possible whenever you have the urge.
-Ask for help. I didn't do this on my own...surrounding myself with people who loved and supported me was critical to my recovery.
-Don't give up. This is much harder than most people realize, but it is doable.
Resources: THERAPY!
Support of family and friends.
Oct 14, 06:24AM PDT
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