Cutting

[Guest]

I realize that for most this is not the place for this question. But I'm wondering if there are others like me who self- harm, especially when alcohol is involved? :upset:

[fickle]

Cutting

Hi Schaefer,
Not me personally, but a close friend of mine did have that problem. Happy to say she moved on and hasn't done it in years.. but I remember her pain and mine at the time.
Alltogether, I think for me personally, drinking is a major form of self harm, just less visible. So perhaps coming to grips with why we do this will help us stop.
Am here for you.
Ficks

[startingover]

Cutting

Hi Schaefer, yes I used to cut myself. But I havent done it for many years, like Ficks says though, alcohol abuse is another form of self harm.
I would be happy to talk to you via pm if you think it would help.
Take care.

[fickle]

Cutting

Yep, exactly as Starty said, pm me any time Schaefer.
Well done to have the courage to bring the subject up.
Ficks

[Guest]

Cutting

Thank you so much Fickle and startingover. I was in a dark place last night...as I often find myself lately. I agree...alcohol is another form of self-harm. I rarely cut myself now...but the thought is aways there. I just feel so alone in this because it is a subject that very few seem to understand. I appreciate your kind words and offers of help. I'm hoping and praying that 2010 is a whole new beginning for me in a lot of ways...way past time.

[Lo0p]

Cutting

I have friends and family members who suffer from that. I am so sorry. :l

I've looked into it a bit, I found this:

Wiley InterScience :: Session Cookies

[startingover]

Cutting

Schaefer, I never understood why i idid it, I think there are a couple of "theories" though, one is that pain releases natural endorphins in the brain, like a natural high type scenario. And the other is that we are punishing ourselves for something.
Its more common that we realise though and i always felt very alone and ashamed when I was doing it. So please if you feel alone again, ask for help OK?

[fickle]

Cutting

I could not get the link to work Loop! You might want to try that again as I'd be interested to read too.

Yes good on you Schaefer and I wish you all the very best for 2010!
Please ask for help if ever you are feeling in a bad way. There are people here almost 24/7 and talking may bring relief or distract you from what's bothering you for a while.

I always remember my friend was so ashamed of herself and people were utterly cruel to her because they could not understand. I always did my best to distract her at the worst times and eventually she came to be able to distract herself long enough to not do it any more.

Sometimes the reasons behind compulsions are unconscious so counselling might help. Try googling and I'm sure you will find specialist web sites that may recommend someone with the appropriate expertise. Choose very carefully & best of luck.

[Lo0p]

Cutting

fickle;781848 wrote: I could not get the link to work Loop! You might want to try that again as I'd be interested to read too.

I'll just post it here directly:

"Self-injurious behavior and the efficacy of naltrexone treatment: A quantitative synthesis
Frank J. Symons *, Andrea Thompson, Michael C. Rodriguez
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
email: Frank J. Symons (symon007@umn.edu)

*Correspondence to Frank J. Symons, Department of Educational Psychology, Burton Hall 178 Pillsbury Drive SE, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
This research was supported, in part, by NICHD Grant No. 35682 and 40782 to the University of Minnesota and a McKnight Land-Grant Professorship from the University of Minnesota.

Funded by:
NICHD; Grant Number: 35682, 40782
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship from the University of Minnesota

Abstract
People with mental retardation, autism, and related developmental disabilities who self-injure are treated with a wide array of behavioral techniques and psychotropic medications. Despite numerous reports documenting short-term and some long-term changes in self-injury associated with the opiate antagonist naltrexone hydrochloride, no quantitative review of its efficacy has been reported. We conducted a quantitative synthesis of the peer-reviewed published literature from 1983 to 2003 documenting the use of naltrexone for the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB). Individual-level results were analyzed given subject and study characteristics. A sample of 27 research articles involving 86 subjects with self-injury was reviewed. Eighty percent of subjects were reported to improve relative to baseline (i.e., SIB reduced) during naltrexone administration and 47% of subjects SIB was reduced by 50% or greater. In studies reporting dose levels in milligrams, males were more likely than females to respond. No significant relations were found between treatment outcomes and autism status or form of self-injury. Results are discussed with respect to future efficacy work related to study outcomes and the pharmacological treatment of self-injury. ? 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2004;10:193-200.
Received: 1 July 2004; Accepted: 16 July 2004"

[fickle]

Cutting

Thanks Loop,
I might just mention this article is in very impersonal medical-speak and small parts of it might come across as offensive.. (like the reference to mental retardation) LOL
Here is another example of the more 'friendly' sites out there Cutting and Self-Injury: Self-Harm Help, Support, and Treatment

[Lo0p]

Cutting

fickle;781949 wrote: I might just mention this article is in very impersonal medical-speak and small parts of it might come across as offensive.. (like the reference to mental retardation) LOL

Yes, thank you. All of those types of articles are.

The people that I know and love that suffer from this are among the most brilliant and amazing people i have ever known.

Scientist will be scientists...

[Kimberley]

Cutting

Hi Schaefer- I used to do this, so you're really not alone. In fact my arms have more skin with scars than not. I don't do it anymore - I actually promised one of my best friends I would stop, and that was about 3 years ago. I've only done it a handful of times since and never as seriously as before.

Funnily enough the longest time I ever did sober was because I promised my parents I would. That broke down though - guess it's easier to hide and harder to avoid.

If you want to PM me, please do. I hope you can find your motivation to work your way through it.

[catch22]

Cutting

your not alone !

Schaefer28;781353 wrote: I realize that for most this is not the place for this question. But I'm wondering if there are others like me who self- harm, especially when alcohol is involved? :upset:

Hi Schaefer,
I to did as well this time last year in December sort of said in a post in so many words dont know why maybe i felt i was in a dark place... but i did it where people could not see..... like starty said i to felt so ashame of myself....i think i pm someone but cant remember (was pissd) who ! anyway im lucky enough to have stop... im glad you dont any more..
Also thanks for the articles as well.

[Guest]

Cutting

Thanks everone...I really appreciate your responses...means alot!

[Guest]

Cutting

I look at my scars and feel grateful...like I've gotten past something...but it's always there...when the self -hatred comes...which it so often does. Last night I drank too much...again...went online and had stupid conversations...again...kept a knife beside me because I really felt like I deserved it...wanted to do it...but couldn't.