How do you stop doing something like cutting yourself?
606187
What is causing you or someone you know to cut?  You should probably confide in either a friend, relative, or health professional.  It's not easy, but it's worth it - for the sake of your body.  Listen to music, snap a rubberband around your wrist, write in a journal all the thoughts you are having when you want to cut....those are some things that have worked for people I know - good luck and take care!  Know that you aren't alone!!
646562
Okay, as for the cutting, that is sometimes a relief from some type of anxiety or pain in your life.  Cutting allows people to have control rather than the real pain they have which a person cannot control.  As for the self-mutilation, some people are into that.  It is not necessarily a bad thing although it could lead to infections and rarely something more serious.  \n\nI think the best thing is to let her come to you when she is comfortable unless you see it going out of hand.  The minor things are not necessarily horrible although to most people it would seem that way.  If it bothers you too much you may want to bring it up and talk with her about it and see if she will open up more to you.\n\nI was a cutter!
854482
I'm not a cutter but I think the best thing for you, is to maybe try talking to someone about this. You say you do that to feel normal, but just because a lot of people do that, doesn't mean it's normal. If you don't want to talk to anyone about that, try just stopping cold turkey. Throw away all your razors, don't resort to any other means of self harm. Find a hobby and be constructive!
593284
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html\n\nCheck this link out.\n\nCalling someone who cuts "emo" or "stupid" doesn't help the situation. Self Cutting is a very serious and real mental illness and not a joke or matter of intelligence. You aren't a LOSER if you are self cutting, you simply need some help and counseling. You need to discover or talk about WHY you are cutting so you can learn ways to avoid the emotions that make you do this to yourself.  When you see someone talking about doing something to themselves, try to be a little more understanding. People with this and other conditions, often cannot help themselves.\n\nExample: There is a woman who has a PHD and is highly intelligent, but also as Asperbers syndrome (high function autism). If she is not watched carefully, she will eat glass. She can't help it. She can't stop it. It is something in her brain that makes her do what she does. Treatment helps with control, but people with these ailments cannot be held at fault for their conditions.\n\nThink of this, what ever has made this young woman cut herself, would you like to go through it? For all you know she survived a traumatic event that would have killed you outright. You just don't know.\n\nI hope that the link helps with the asker of this question and those of you reading it.
55492
Of course it depends on what the habit it is and why you have it but one simple approach involves the use of rubber bands. You place the band around your wrist and when you are tempted to do something you shouldn't do you pull the band back and snap it on your wrist. Don't try to kill yourself just use enough pressure to remind yourself. Many people find this technique works well and fast.
347748
Think about it, you're angry you hit a wall.  Well some people can feel so miserable (and for a good secret reason too) that they feel the need to do so, thus letting all the pain break free.\n\nIt's like a small pain.  Eat candy and you're suddenly better.  Cutting is a destraction of one's life that can be controlled. Not suicide!\n\n\n-Alexis
23200
Talk to a trusted adult or counselor. If you have to, call 911 and tell them you need some help fast. Please do get into rehab and also some one on one therapy to try to find better ways to deal with your problems rather than cutting yourself. Also, the front of your local yellow pages should have several mental health resources that could provide you with the help you need. This is a serious problem and I don't believe the only other answer you got was a smart-mouthed insensitive answer.
911509
watch out for any bad habits dude and cut it immediately\n\nsearch in for anxiety and how to control it\na simple diet and excercise wud do\nkeep control of yourself on your habits\ntake care
366227
Stop cutting it for at least two years. Like I did. It is down to my waist. It has been three years of not cutting it for me. It is NICE.
1121974
I am a recovering cutter myself so I can tell you that you cant do anything to make her stop. You can, however, help her by letting her know that you truly care and want to understand. Make sure she knows that whenever she needs to talk you are always ALWAYS available to listen to her. You might try asking her to call you whenever she fights with her mom or whenever her mom hurts her instead of cutting herself.\n\nPeople who cut themselves do sometimes have suicidal thoughts, but the act of cutting is not a suicide attempt in itself. Self-mutilation is a coping mechanism that people use to try to comfort themselves because "normal" coping mechanisms like running, writing, "take a deep breath", etc doesnt work for them. Because of this make sure you never refer to her cutting as wrong or bad or abnormal because its her last resort to deal with her pain.\n\nAs far as telling someone, I would advise you dont tell anyone just yet. Before you tell someone you need to talk to her about it and suggest that you can be with her when she tells someone. If she refuses to tell someone no matter how hard you try you need to tell her that if she doesnt tell someone then you will. Like someone else said, cutting is often a sign of some sort of mental health disorder and can be treated with medication and/or therapy. \n\nGood luck and if you have any more questions or your friend needs someone to talk to who's been through all this PLEASE dont hesitate to IM me on AIM at HeresToGoodnight. Or you can email me at my yahoo email adress and I will be more than happy to help you guys out. Good luck!
388913
For some reason, self injurious behavior is very addicting. Once you start, it's very hard to stop. I started cutting when I was 12--I'm now 28 and still fight the urge.  Since you just started, you need to work really hard at stopping.  If you feel like you really need help, you need to reach out to an adult that you trust and can talk to.  When you feel the urge to cut, call a friend or find another outlet---sports, drawing, working out, music, writing your feelings down, hobbies.  You need to get control over this now because the longer you do it, the harder it is to stop.\n\nI have an adult friend who also cuts.  She cuts to the point of having to go to ER.  So, this is very serious--if you don't gain some control, it'll control you and only get worse.\nIf you're suicidal, you really need to talk to your parents.  You may need some different meds.\n\nPlease find someone you can reach out to! And never feel like people don't/can't understand because there are many people who do this.  You're not alone.\n\nBest of luck to you!\n\nhttp://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html\nhttp://www.focusas.com/SelfInjury.html\nhttp://teenagerstoday.com/resources/articles/mutilate.htm\nhttp://www.coolnurse.com/self-injury.htm
603615
Try to create a habit that's not as bad to substitute for it.\n\nTry to find the worst consequence that could come out of your habit. Think about it every time your habit occurs.
1161503
You have to choose the right person to tell, someone you're close to, or your therapist (if you have one, if not, I recommend it).  I've found it easier to tell people things by email or over IM, and not in person.  But it actually might be easier to tell a therapist, since she or he probably won't judge you for it, or at least not as much as someone you're close to.  As a former cutter myself (haven't cut myself for any reason for about 2 1/2 years), I would recommend DBT (dialectical behavior therapy, also a common treatment for borderline personality disorder, but it's effective for other things as well).  It IS possible to stop, and it does get a LOT better.
959318
Everything that has been said so far is amazing, so I won't elaborate much. \nI was emotionally abused as a child, and at the ripe old age of 22 have experienced the spectrum of eating disorders, emotional problems and, of course, medications. As a function of my self-hatred, I began to cut myself a couple years ago. I have since stopped, but still have times where I struggle.\n\nI used cutting as a way to 'come down' from a state of manic anxiety, panic or just emotional pain in general. I definitely recommend getting help through a psychiatrist/psychologist, and embarrassing as you may find it, reach out to anyone that you are close to so that you will have a support system in your time of need. \n\nFrom my experience, I recommend that you try to take the feelings that push you to self-harm and express them another way, that mimics the release of cutting. This may seem silly to some people, but what worked for me was hitting inanimate objects... beating the crap out of my bed, tearing up magazines, etc. Although this does not completely satisfy the urge to cut, it can get out some of the excess adrenaline and frustration that may be fueling your urge in the first place. One other thing that worked for me was to imagine that it was my own child or someone I love who was cutting... to imagine the precious skin and flesh of someone else being mutilated and what a mockery it is of how amazing we are... try to think of your body as your shelter and a precious friend that you want to protect...\n\nI hope this helps... I haven't cut in a long time, and I'm glad that I stopped (even though I still struggle with the same old demons). I look at my scars with a sense of sadness and protectiveness... as a reminder that destroying myself is not productive or beneficial. \n\nAnd always know that you are loved :) Always.
47313
Cutting your toenails.\n\nPlease, talk to a professional if your considering self-mutilation.
682672
Let all that pressure and pain out another way. Try to find the courage to tell someone what you are doing. This doesn't have to be an adult. A close friend is good. If you cannot bring yourself to instigate this 'confession', turn the tables. If you are asked, admit it. And be honest to yourself about the reasons why you are doing it. Trust me - it will be a relief and only after admitting it will you be able to find other outlets and a way to mend the pain that is causing you to feel the need to self-mutilate.\n\nA great outlet is acknowledgeing how you feel and sharing this with someone else. Just having someone else understand is a huge release. Also knowing you are not the only one doing this.  And the feeling of being unburdened...\n\nYou are not mad so do not worry about what others might think. Find someone to confide in - it really will help.
162068
Cutting yourself is not a good thing to do. I know at the time the inner pain is calmed by the physical pain but it is not the answer. Just think of the scars you'll have for a start. \nYou need to talk to some one about whatever problem you have. Don't bottle it up inside. \nWhen you feel the urge to cut yourself try this instead.\nGet an ice cube. Put it in your hand. Make a very tight fist. Keep squeezing till the urge passes.\nThis may sound like a silly suggestion but it worked for me.\nHope things look a little brighter for you soon petal. x x x