Self Injury: Types, Alternatives, and Where to get Help

This is the first thread I've visited on this site, and I'm really liking it so far... Thank you all for your suggestions. I will definitely try some of them. I especially liked what Jubilex said - that it's a battle of the mind more than of the flesh.

me and my therapist have talked about alternative ways instead of cutting, like snapping a rubber band against my wrist, Squeezing a hand ball, holding my hands under cold water, hitting a pillow, unfortunately I haven't tried any of those yet.. I haven't had the urge to cut in almost two weeks

Personally, I've found drawing fake cuts on myself with a red marker to be one of the most helpful strategies. Taking a really hot shower also helps sometimes. For whatever reason, rubber bands and ice never really did it for me.

Also, this is going to sound really weird, but...my boyfriend, in an effort to help me stop taking my anger out on myself, got us some hilarious nerf weapons to hit things with when I get upset. As stupid as it sounds, whacking each other with foam axes helps me let off steam and makes me laugh until the urge passes.

Lately, I've been going for months at a time without cutting, and when I have, it hasn't been nearly as bad as it used to be. I'm still not totally free of it, though.

I know that some of these things have been said already, but i like to read a book or just find something else that will completely occupy my mind. I call a friend, or i smoke a cigarette and honestly, i literally talk myself down when i'm having a panic attack and want to cut. I litterally talk to myself, and it helps. Maybe that makes me crazy, but it works.

Pealing an orange with both hands

I have been told that acupuncture works well. I have a friend who used to cut and know has regular scheduled appointments every week. He says it let's you feel pain but at the same time it results in relaxation. It didn't work for me but it worked for many of my other friends. I hope it works for you too

Yes, I am also agree with your views.

When I want to harm but would rather stop I find that drawing on my arms works will, I can get real absorbed in drawing on my arm. I can also get past it by drawing characters cutting or bleeding on paper.

First post. Yay!

Anyways, whenever I get the urge to cut and for whatever reason don't want to, I just drag a knife across my skin. That satisfies the urge long enough for me to get distracted by something else. I use razors for actual cutting, btw. This only works when I hold the knife in my right hand and drag it across my left arm for some reason.

Hi there, here are some more alternatives to stop cutting.
• Talk to a friend (about something that won't upset you).

• Go for a walk or go on a bike ride.

• Play with your pet or take them for a walk.

• Watch TV (watch something that holds your interest and not upset you).

• Read a good book.

• Work on a puzzle.