| I'm Scaring My Friends | Addiction | I'm Scaring My Friends | <div class="ExternalClassE0CDDDE50C404F44BEF8392D3DE21DDA"><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4"><span>I'm cracking after a
few days of self harm (cutting (various tools)), a painful breakup (initiated
by me (didn't wanna, felt I had to)), and now my dad is punishing me (taking away my phone and computer) for having
an emotional breakdown without reason, going
behind his back to get help and being unable to follow through on a promise. My dad is a major trigger for anxiety attacks. I am now behaving in very
erratic and unusual patterns that are scaring my friends, quite possibly
because I am appearing to take pleasure in pain, both my own and theirs. I need
help. </span></span></p></div> | <div class="ExternalClassD94F1C8F16E14378B6CEAFF3A8947687"><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">We are glad that you found the courage to reach out for help today. It sounds like you have an enormous amount of pressure coming from a lot of aspects in your life, and you are reaching your breaking point. When that happens, people can tend to act in ways that are not like themselves. It took a lot of strength to contact us for help. Reaching out is the first step in getting the support and resources that you deserve.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">While self-harming can be a way to cope when you are feeling out of control, it is a negative coping skill. It is dangerous. While it may seem to help in the moment it can lead to more negative feelings overall which creates a harmful cycle of needing to then cope with more feelings. Like any skill, positive coping techniques take time to learn and improve on. <span style="background-color:transparent;">Our website, yourlifeyourvoice.org, has a list of 99 coping skills. You could look that over and pick ones you find helpful to try next time you are having the urge to self- harm. Here is the link:</span></span></p><p><a href="/Pages/tip-99-coping-skills.aspx"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/tip-99-coping-skills.aspx</span></a></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">Along with coping skills, you deserve to have a support system. It sounds like you don't find that in your dad. Is there any other adult in your life you feel like you could open up to about what is going on? It can be very scary to handle these things alone, and we want to make sure you get the help you need. </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">While we are glad to email with you, it sounds like your feelings are intense and a more immediate form of communication would be helpful.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">There are several ways to speak directly to a counselor:</span></p><p><strong class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">CHAT </strong><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">with a Your Life Your Voice Counselor Monday – Friday, 6:00-12mid, CST through </span><a href="/"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">www.yourlifeyourvoice.org</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style=""> </span></p><p><strong class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">TEXT</strong><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style=""> YLYV Counselors 7 days a week, 2:00 pm-1:00am CST available through </span><a href="/"><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">www.yourlifeyourvoice.org</span></a><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style=""> </span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">There are also counselors available to speak to you by <strong style="">PHONE</strong> 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">1-800-448-3000.</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="background-color:transparent;">Thank you so much for taking this step for yourself. We are here for you, and we hope you reach out for more support!</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">Sincerely,</span></p><p><span class="ms-rteFontFace-1 ms-rteFontSize-3 ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-4" style="">Katie, Counselor</span></p></div> | 15 | | |
