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What's the best way to get over self-harm relapse and good methods for aftercare?

12 Answers
Last Updated: 03/13/2018 at 6:11pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
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Lisa Groesz, PhD

Psychologist

With evidenced based therapies, we find the root of the problem together to implement solutions. We all face crises, transitions, or disorders at some time.

Top Rated Answers
Kaitlyn3435
August 25th, 2015 5:18pm
Draw a butterfly on the area you want to hurt yourself and remember, if you cut the butterfly dies.
janooble
February 9th, 2015 3:02am
When I would relapse, I would always remind myself of this: This is a speed bump. A speed bump does not mean that you have stopped moving forward, or that you have started moving backwards. This speed bump means that you have temporarily slowed down. You are still moving forward and you are still recovering, just at a slower speed. Once you get over this sped bump of a relapse, you will start to accelerate again - you will start improving again at a faster speed. You road may not have many speed bumps, or it may have plenty or relapses. But they will not stop you. They will just temporarily slow your speed of recovery down, until you overcome it and reach your destination.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2015 2:59pm
Relapse: rubber bands, music, and running have helped me. I recommend keeping your hands buys! Aftercare: rubbing alcohol may burn but it cleans the cuts. Find someone to talk to and let them know you have relapsed. You could even come here and find someone!
duckslikerain
June 8th, 2015 8:03am
Self-awareness and distraction are the best tools that I've found to help in self-harm recovery. Knowing what your triggers are (events, people, places, times, etc.) can help you to avoid certain situations or give opportunity to prepare yourself. Distracting yourself with other helpful coping activities can also help establish better habits when dealing with stressful or emotional situations. Everyone is different. My go-to coping activities were physical exercise and writing out everything that was in my head on to paper.
Anonymous
June 17th, 2015 8:32am
It's best to remember that sometimes that relapse is part of the recovery. just because you relapsed one day doesn't mean you have failed.
Anonymous
June 22nd, 2015 7:22am
You could Go speak to a professional, or talk to a trusted adult who you think would truly understand you.
Brittneym101
December 1st, 2015 6:53am
I think that the bet way to get over self-harm relapse is to just stay away from the these that make you want to harm yourself. Stay away from objects that you usually use to harm yourself with such as knifes, glass, scissors and more.
Anonymous
August 1st, 2016 9:44am
Don't think of wanting to self-harm or imagining what it's like to do it again, focus on something else. If you feel like self-harming, take a paper and scribble on it, crush paper into a ball or write your thoughts in a diary.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2016 8:51am
Effective aftercare for me involved talking to someone. and coming to terms with what I've done rather than burying it. Also, it involves taking it easy on myself and being understanding as I would to someone else. I also find it very important to write and reflect - This helps me for prevention, which I consider the most important aspect of my recovery. What happened that may have triggered the relapse? Next time something of this nature happens, I will try to be aware of the risk of relapse and talk to someone beforehand or to process my emotions somehow. Ultimately, how can I lower the chances of it happening again? Hope this has been of some help Good luck with your journey :)
skylerraber1234
August 8th, 2016 10:54pm
Everyone is different but for me the best way I overcame self harm was not letting self harm objects around me. I stopped hanging out with the people that made me feel like self harm was okay and I started talking to people I could trust. Build a foundation and tell yourself positive things even though your brain doesn't want to. Keep a diary and draw lines on the paper not yourself.
mykenzie718
October 4th, 2016 7:04am
Distract yourself. Whether it's taking a walk, or cooking, distract your. Rain from bad thoughts. (:
notaloneimherewithyou
March 13th, 2018 6:11pm
Self-harming after being clean for a while can bring you to feel weak or ashamed of yourself, and the first step towards getting over a relapse is understanding that going back to self-harm is not a thing to be embarassed about. Once you've cleared that, you should ask yourself some questions in order to understand what triggered you. Events such as the death of a loved one and break ups can cause different emotions and push you towards self-harming in order to cope. Seek out for help - don't keep your feelings bottled up. If you don't feel up to talking to anyone, writing about what you feel might just do it. Last but not least - look after yourself. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, exercise. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by emotional burdens - try and overcome everything life throws at you. If you believe you can, you will.