Posted by B2chica on September 2, 2004, at 13:24:19
In reply to Urges, posted by rockymtnhi on September 2, 2004, at 10:41:36
Hi Rm, very glad you are posting this. My first words of advice are remember that Urges and Actions are separate and you should fight to keep them separate as long as you can. It's ok to have thoughts and urges, try not to cross the line to harming yourself. 1)it may bring about other emotions within you (ex.guilt, regret, low/er self-esteem etc.) 2) i have found it addictive and VERY hard to stop once you cross that line to starting.
also, the focus on your arms and hair are certainly symbolic. I'm not good with words but sometimes i "people" feel like their hands have failed them in terms of maybe fighting back, or stopping something from happening no matter what it may be. also a sense of being bound a feeling of helplessness- a person may have much anger at this. These feelings are all valid and important and should be felt but they also should be explored with the guidance of a professional. Are you seeing a T?
Some are really funny about SI. Mine is great about it though so i lucked out. Actually i tend to push people away..."test" them. so after only a couple meetings with my T i told him right off that i SI and i had no immediate intention to stop. I was waiting for him to say "then i can't deal with you or help you" but he never has.
Anyway.
Please keep posting here on babble, when you feel these urges. I find that if i journal it can help, i may literally describe every second of what i want to do in extreme detail. i also paint/sketch, i've done a lot of this lately. Sometimes i draw hands or arms or legs with open wounds on them, but be careful, at the time this usually helps but sometimes if i look back at them it may trigger me to want to SI. Also, try exercise-i like the treadmill. Maybe even try using red food coloring or red marker where you would want to cut.
these are all little tips tricks to avoid actually SI.
But you are right on the ball here, cuz there is a reason for these urges and you need to explore it's reasons.Please take care.
b2c.
> I have these urges to cut my arms and whack off my hair. I understand about self-injury and I have done some of that too, but I just don't understand why I am so focused on my arms and my hair.
> Can anyone shed some light on these urges for me?
poster:B2chica
thread:385649
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040828/msgs/385709.html