If you want to stop cutting yourself, you need to learn how to control your urges. Here are some tips to help you do that:
- Learn to recognize when you are in a state of self-destructive behavior. If you feel like you can’t stop yourself from cutting, talk to your doctor or other health care provider. They may be able to give you a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication.
- Get help from a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. These professionals can help guide you through the process of changing your behavior so that you don’t cut yourself in the future.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many people who cut themselves do so because they are afraid of what might happen to them if they talk about it with someone else. It’s important to find someone who is willing to listen to you and who will be there to support you.
- Talk to a friend or family member about your thoughts and feelings about cutting. This person can also be a good source of support.
- Find a support group that is open to people of all ages, races, and sexual orientations. You can find support groups in your area by visiting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by searching online at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
- Seek professional help if you have suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself.
- Be honest with yourself about what is causing you to feel this way. For example, do you think that cutting is the only way to cope with your feelings? If so, ask yourself if there is anything else you could be doing that would be more effective.
- Remember that there are many ways to deal with feelings of depression and anxiety. Some people find that talking to someone about their feelings is helpful. Others find it helpful to meditate, read a book, watch a movie, go for a walk, take a cold shower, use a hot tub, etc.
- Do not give up hope. There is always a way out of a difficult situation. 10. Take care of yourself by eating a healthy, balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, not smoking, using a birth control method that will protect you from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and taking medications to treat depression, anxiety, migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and other medical conditions.