Self-harm from Insiders...what to do???

*****TRIGGER WARNING SELF-HARM & SUICIDE ********

I used to cut. I have not cut in almost 5 years. Now that my insiders have made themselves known to me (about a year ago) the desire to cut/self-harm has come back. I/We have a 24 hour pact in place of no cutting or suicide. We make it everyday.
I have a Little (T she is 9yrs old) & a Teen (C 15yrs old) who are self-harmers. They have discovered a "compromise" to cutting because I don't want to loose my 5 years. (I also picked my thumb nail severely, even picking through the nail bed, but have stopped doing this too.) T & C have started using the pinky toe as their target. They have completely ripped off the nail and continue to pick at skin, cuticle etc.... It is painful later to the other Littles. These Littles have complained to my B/F that it hurts and ask her to tell T & C to stop.

I realize that there is a punishment/release to self-harm. I remember how it felt to cut and pick my thumb nail. I realize they need an outlet for their anger and pain. But it is painful for the other Littles....

My friend with DID, who also has self-harming Insiders, says she has a "dark writing" journal that sometimes helps to give an outlet to anger and pain. Has this helped anyone else?

Can anyone else relate to this self-harm issue?
Any thoughts, suggestions or advice?

I am not sure how to deal with this new complicated issue of self-harm now that my Insiders have made me aware of themselves. Any comments of help are greatly appreciated....

We're currently recovering from a recent SI episode from an insider as well, so we can really sympathize.
She did it to punish us for something we're still unclear on and I'm presuming was also taking out her anger on us (because of some of the other disturbing things she did as well). You could try writing a note or something to him/her asking what's wrong and if you guys can change something to make a compromise so you don't need to get "punished".
Even though these episodes are really disturbing, and often painful, we find that we learn a lot about our hurting member during these episodes.

You could try throwing away sharp things, locking away knives ect so that it's harder to come by stuff to injure you with when your upset alters are out, or offering him/her an alternative like paints or markers that she can color with instead.

*Trigger Warning -gore*

One of our insiders likes to leave nasty and disturbing messages for us in blood around the house. To try to combat this, we're offering her red paints and a painting book that she can leave her messages in instead as well as hiding our blades. The most recent thing she wrote was "Don't ignore me". It could be possible that some of your insiders are feeling ignored too, and that the only way to get your attention is to do something flashy like SI to get your attention and remind you they exist.

*Trigger Warning End*

I hope things improve for you guys.

Familyof3 wrote:Even though these episodes are really disturbing, and often painful, we find that we learn a lot about our hurting member during these episodes.

Thanks Familyof3....I will try and find out the "why" to the self-harm. I am not sure always exactly why they are doing it, I only know they are hurting the body to feel some kind of release/punishment.

I do know this...We also have eating issues and C tends to "punish" if we eat too much or gain weight. Its her way of getting back at everyone....

VanessaG wrote:We also have eating issues and C tends to "punish" if we eat too much or gain weight. Its her way of getting back at everyone....

I can relate to that I hope your T helps you guys out. We're still too chicken to bring it up to ours.
I'm interested in what they suggest to try and prevent the SI and other negative stuff that's happening to you guys.

Trigger Warning - self injury

So this is interesting to me because we have a serious problem with cutting and punishing other parts. Some parts use it as a threat and punishment BUT other parts use it to relieve anxiety. I just started seeing an addiction counselor and I'm learning sooooo much about self-injury, which is more than just cutting. It's helpful! Part of me still cut even today, but I'm hoping that once we dive into therapy more that I'll get relief. This T says that it's a brain reaction - an addiction because there is a reward, like an endorphin release similiar to taking drugs - which I have completely felt!
She is new to DID and trying to figure out my system a little and fine tune therapy for me. It's always fun to tell a new T that you watched yourself (from across the room) cut your arm and tried to stop but were held back by another part. She was surprising calm about it. So, I take it that she is really wanting to help or she is just fascinated by this new level of crazy sitting in her office. haha!