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How can I stop the thoughts from coming in so I could stop hurting myself?

Profile: ahelpinghand100
ahelpinghand100 on Mar 24, 2015
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Distract yourself. Surround yourself with plenty of positive people and have fun. Spend time with your family or just talk to someone who you know understands you.
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Profile: potatofish
potatofish on Apr 7, 2015
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Find a hobby you enjoy doing and do it. It'll help relax your mind and calm yourself :) Even try listening to some music :)
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on May 11, 2015
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Focus on something positive. Distract yourself as best as you can. If you leave yourself open, you'll definitely hurt yourself.
Profile: Smilewhenitrains87
Smilewhenitrains87 on May 20, 2015
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I can't give advice however I encourage you to look into resources for dealing with self harm under 7 cups self help section.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on May 23, 2015
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just simply think about another things, draw, sing, cook, whatever you want, read a book, keep yourself distracted
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jun 7, 2015
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It's hard to make thoughts just stop, but if you feed their fears it will grow, Sometimes you need to focus your thoughts to good even when there are bad going on to help so that recovery is easier.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Jun 30, 2015
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By simply doing what you love, spending time with family and friends and if you don't have any friends than reading, sports or bike rides.
Profile: ElvenLight
ElvenLight on Aug 4, 2015
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Keep a log and write down all the things that trigger you. Circle common themes that seem to come up more. Try different coping mechanisms and rate them on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being the best) of how helpful they were! You can try writing in a diary/journal, making art, and even down writing negative feelings on a piece of paper and ripping it!
Profile: ForeverForgiven
ForeverForgiven on Aug 24, 2015
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First off, I need to tell you congratulations for recognizing that hurting yourself isn't healthy and for wanting to stop. That's a big step. Unfortunately, the thoughts sometimes can't be stopped. What I found helped me most, was finding a good support system. People whom I could contact when the thoughts were getting overwhelming. Find some good friends that you trust and don't want to disappoint or lie to. Anytime you have an urge to harm yourself, contact them. Or you can set timers. One minute. I can make it one minute without harming myself. Then another minute. Then five minutes. Then 10. 15. 20. Keep going until the urge is gone.
Profile: readerandwriter
readerandwriter on Sep 7, 2015
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Distract yourself. It's very tempting to think and think about bad things, but you know this only makes you feel worse. Still, you can't easily change your train of thought. So start doing something (reading, watching TV or a movie, physical activity etc) that you enjoy and that keeps your mind occupied.
Profile: tryingtobehappier13
tryingtobehappier13 on Jan 18, 2016
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I don't think it is possible to stop the thoughts from coming unfortunately, but you can try alternatives to cutting or other self harm. I used to write my feelings on my arm with washable makers and then wash it off to help me. Or drawing a picture that represents how you feel on yourself. That's what helped me. Maybe it will help you.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Feb 9, 2016
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Talk to someone about them. The moment you feel like harming yourself or the moment you begin to feel negative about yourself, reach out to someone. Talking about it with a trusted friend or adult will help you handle these thoughts. It is important that you do not try to handle them on your own. That never ends well.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 14, 2016
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Use your imagination to take the Sun in your hands from the sky and place it in your heart. Then reach up and grab the moon, place it in the Sun, in your heart. This allows for amazing things to happen, for me it slows down time.
Profile: morningperson
morningperson on Jul 12, 2016
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The trick is not to stop the thoughts, but to recognise them for what they are.. Negative thoughts, that make you feel bad about yourself.. Have the thought, recognise it's damaging, then let it go..
Profile: goldenLove85
goldenLove85 on Oct 25, 2016
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by focusing ont he little things in life each day will become easier surrounf yourself with anything good and your life and outlook will be better
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Apr 16, 2018
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Try to do something that makes you happy and something that you love. Like singing, playing music, drawing or whatever it is.
Profile: Anonymous
Anonymous on Mar 23, 2021
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Thoughts like this can be a horrible feeling at times. I know because I've had them as well. What usually works is to find new hobbies, keep your mind busy, learn something new like a language or a new sport. Keeping your mind busy will train it to think less and less of this and as soon as you know it it'll be easier to control it. Talking to someone you trust also helps because talking does more than we actually think it does. It gets hard but always remember that you are not alone and you are loved. I hope this helped
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