Hey. I just have one question. Why I still cutting up myself even I've already solved my root emotional problem. I can cut myself while smiling, giggling or talking to my loved one?
5 Answers
Last Updated: 01/18/2021 at 7:35am
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Stacey Kiger, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
My belief is that therapy is not about giving advice, but joining you on your journey
Top Rated Answers
You might be feeling the need to cut as a coping mechanism, even if you feel like everything is solved. My suggestion is to keep talking about your situation with others.
Anonymous
November 13th, 2018 7:16pm
Cutting ebcomes a way for your brain to release stress and ends up becoming one of your coping mechanisms, which release positive chemicals in your brain, calming you down. In other words, it can become an addiction. This is what makes it so difficult to stop even when you are not feeling depressed, angry, down, etc... The most important thing to remember is that there is always something else you can do, resist the urge to cut, even when you are upset.
Anonymous
April 8th, 2019 11:13pm
Because sometimes even though you've managed to resolve the root issue that caused you to have the urges to harm yourself (which is great btw) you have almost set a precedent within yourself that this is something normal and something that your body has become used to. It will take time but you will be able to help you're mind relearn that this was just a negative activity that you used to do and that you will teach yourself to no longer do. You have already started the road to recovery and this may take time, but given the support you need, you will be able to stop
Unfortunately, self-harming can become a habit. Once you build a habit, it can feel very hard to break the cycle. Even though you feel you’ve solved the root problem, the habit can still be there. That’s not something to be ashamed about, but something you can work on! Try finding a healthy form of release that can satisfy that “itch†you may have. That can be screaming into a pillow, squeezing ice cubes, drawing where you would cut, and many other options. You can look up online other methods of distraction and find one thats right for you. Once you find one that you like, try and remember to utilize it when you feel like you want to harm yourself. Remember, relapse doesn’t erase your successes! You got this!
Your brain has probably gotten used to the chemicals it gets when you cut. And it could be a self-stimulatory comforting behavior as well; you associate it with comfort from the moments when you needed it when you were struggling with your root emotional problem(s), and we all always want to be comforted. Have you tried another self-soothing mechanism? Maybe a fidget toy (cube, tangle, spinner), slime, an ice cube, a rubber band, a marker? The name of the game is that it satisfies the same urge, so figure out what it is about cutting that comforts you. Is it having control over your body? Draw on yourself or get a tattoo/piercing/dye your hair. Is it the sensation? Rub an ice cube where you usually cut, hold it there till it stings. It's also important to really sit with yourself and breathe and think before you cut, especially if you're happy. Ask yourself why you need this right now. Is there some other thing you could do instead? Keep a list on hand, so you always have another option in the back of your mind.
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