| I Need Help To Stop Self-Injury | Addiction | I Need Help To Stop Self-Injury | <div class="ExternalClassFA6EB0FC9DE64B66B355BC9305F23B7A"><p><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"times new roman", serif;">Hey. I’ve never
messaged a hotline before because my mother reads all my texts and gets alerts
when I message a new number. Around this time last year, I began to self-injure
as a way of making my internal pain external. I felt that external pain felt
better than internal pain and that it’s easy to deal with. I haven’t felt truly
happy for more than a moment for the last couple of months and I wish that I
could. My parents don’t believe in mental disorders and things like that, so
they get really mad when I’m not happy all the time. Sometimes it feels more
painful to pretend to be happy than it is to simply be numb. After all this
time, however, I have become addicted to my self-injurious behavior, and no
matter how badly I wish to stop, I can’t. The longest I’ve gone without hurting
myself is only about a week. I need help, but I don’t know how to ask. </span><br></p></div> | <div class="ExternalClassCA2F28B74E7D4091B0A6928F4F9E1B13"><p>We are so glad you are reaching out. It is awesome that you are choosing to confide in us about how you are feeling and look for healthier coping skills! Feeling intense emotions can be scary and difficult to understand or manage—this can lead us to want to self-harm. Harming yourself to deal with your pain can lead to worsening emotions, causing a toxic cycle. On our website, your life your voice, we have some good tips on how to <a href="/Pages/Self-Injury-Learning-To-Ride-The-Wave.aspx?Topic=Self-Injury">“ride the wave"</a> of emotions that you may be feeling. It's important to seek out healthy <a href="/Pages/tip-How-to-Use-Coping-Skills.aspx?Topic=Coping%20Skills">coping skills</a>, and if and when you feel comfortable, talk to a trusted adult. </p><p>When parents don't seem to understand what you are going through, it can cause feelings of isolation or loneliness. Often, people try to fake happiness to mask how they are really feeling inside, as you said you do at times. Just know, you are never alone, and there is always a chance for you to feel better and see change. Every day is a new day, with new opportunities and happier feelings. It can take time to get back to your “normal" self, but being patient with yourself, your feelings, and the people around you is important. </p><p>If you ever feel it is too much, feel free to give us a call at 1-800-448-3000 (whether you use your phone or a friend's).<br></p><p>We are here,<br></p><p>Lauren, counselor<br></p></div> | 14 | | |
