Re: Paris Jackson Possible Suicide Attempt Rushed to Hospital SHE IS OK
How to Stop Cutting Yourself
1 - First of all, know that you are loved. No matter who you are, there is someone who loves you, and who doesn't want you harmed. Know that I love you, unconditionally and without judgement, just because you are a human being, and you deserve to be loved.
2 - Recognize that you might need professional help. If you've harmed yourself to the point of severe injury (that is, inflicting a cut that bled for more than 10 minutes or intentionally nicking major veins or arteries), or if you've had suicidal thoughts, seek help immediately. No matter what your issue, age, gender, or background, never feel ashamed to seek help.
If you're a minor, tell your parent or guardian that you need to see a mental health professional as soon as possible. Emphasize that this is an emergency.
If you're an adult and have health insurance, call your primary care physician as soon as possible and ask for a referral to a therapist or psychologist who specializes in self-harm. If you're not insured, investigate free or low-cost mental health clinics in your area, or ask a member of your clergy for help.
3 - Tell someone you trust about what's happening. This is one of the hardest things to do, but it's also one of the most important. Building a stable support system for yourself can help you transition from cutting to recovery. Confide in a close family member, friend or member of your clergy or congregation.
Tell someone who can make your situation better, not worse. For instance, it's probably not a good idea to confide in a fellow cutter - you might find yourselves discussing methods and incidents, instead of focusing on recovery. Rather, choose a person you trust and respect, who seems capable of helping you improve.
Try to overcome any feelings of shame, if only for a moment. All you need is long enough to get the words out. If you've chosen someone trustworthy to tell, he or she will care enough about you to focus on helping you instead of making you feel worse.
Don't be discouraged if your confidant's initial response is shock, fear or disgust. Many people who have never cut themselves can't understand why you would do something like that to yourself, but that doesn't mean they're unwilling to listen and be compassionate.
Request that the people you tell about your cutting keep the matter private. Explain that it will be helpful for you to know that the issue is being kept between just the two of you, so that you can feel like you're in control of your recovery.
Ask this person if you can talk to him or her when you feel like harming. Having someone to confide in when you feel bad can distract you from cutting, and ultimately speed your recovery. The request doesn't have to be elaborate - something as simple as "Would it be OK for me to call you when I feel like hurting myself, so maybe we can talk about it instead and I'll be distracted?" will suffice. Chances are this person will be more than happy to support you in this way.
If you don't feel like you can talk to anyone in your life about cutting, call a hotline. Crisis hotline staff are trained to provide support and offer you alternatives to self harming. If you haven't gathered the courage to open up to someone close to you yet, then talking anonymously on an untracked hotline would be a good idea. Make a habit of doing this when you would usually cut. Here are some numbers to try within the US:
1-800-273-TALK (8255): National Suicide Prevention Hotline, a 24-hour crisis line for if you're about to self-harm.
1-800-334-HELP (4357): The Self-Injury Foundation's 24-hour crisis line.
4 - Try talking to a professional crisis clinician. It is clear that it is not their job to "talk you out of" harming yourself - you make your own choices and you must take responsibility for your actions. However, talking to your GP or another professional and notifying them of your situation will help. They may be able to tell you if you have the symptoms of a disease or disorder (depression, etc.) that may be contributing/causing you to self-harm. They may also be able to refer you to a clinic or support group.
5 - Remove any objects you have used before to self harm from your immediate area. If you have time to search for something harm yourself with, you may just be able to crush the impulse. One minute can determine whether or not you self harm. Don't keep sharp objects on your table, and don't put razors in a close drawer or cupboard. If you do not yet feel able to throw out your tools, try to delay getting to them by keeping them wrapped up tightly and high up on hard-to-reach shelves, and try to distract yourself when you get the urge.
6 - Identify the triggers that make you feel like cutting. The moment you have the urge to harm yourself, stop and think of what has just occurred. Remember it and try to avoid these situations. For example, if you've just had an argument with somebody close to you, and are having the urge to self-harm, stop and ask yourself what's making you feel this way: "I feel like harming myself because I've just had an argument with somebody I love, and it's making me feel really bad." Determine what in particular makes this situation trigger off negative emotions: a certain feeling, or maybe an action? Work on reducing this issue until you have it under control or completely diminished.
7 - If you need to hurt yourself, do it in a controlled and less harmful way. A good idea is to wear a rubber band around your wrist. Every time you want to cut, snap the rubber band against your wrist instead. You can also draw on your wrist with red pen, or rub an ice cube on your wrist. Although all of these cause some immediate pain, it is much milder and much less dangerous. Another option, which is good for people who are allergic to latex, would be to grab a handful of ice cubes and hold them for a minute or two until your hands hurt and then let go of them. Screaming at the top of your lungs into a pillow might help, as well.
8 - Find safer ways to express your emotions. Replace the time you would usually spend self-harming with other activities that allow you to explore your feelings without hurting yourself. Here are some suggestions:
Learn or practice a musical instrument.
Draw, paint, sculpt, or participate in another craft.
Exercise. Try running, strength training, kickboxing, or a martial art.
Listen to positive music. Put together a playlist of upbeat songs that make you feel happy, and make it your go-to activity when you're sad.
Start keeping a diary or a journal.
Write fictional pieces, such as poetry, short stories, songs, and chapter books.
9 - Volunteer, or nurture something else. If introspection isn't making you feel better, turn your focus outward to your community, a pet, or anything else that could use your help. Volunteer at your local shelter or hospital, or donate your time to a family member or neighbor in need. Alternatively, you could direct your energy to caring for something that is dependent on you for survival, such as a pet or garden. These activities can help you feel productive and dependable, and make you notice that you do matter.
10 - Try to stop self-harming episodes before they begin. As soon as you feel the urge to harm yourself, take a deep breath, fold your arms, close your eyes and relax. Tell yourself that you are not going to self harm. Get away from any objects you may use to harm yourself so it's not as easy to break your resolution. If possible, lie down somewhere. Stay like this until the urge goes, then quickly phone a help line or use another means of getting help.
11 - Speak out loud about what is causing you so much pain. Talk about it - even to yourself, in the privacy of your bedroom: even yelling to yourself to release the tension inside of you - but do not hurt yourself at all. Talking out loud in clear, understandable words will make your situation clearer and more easy to resolve.
12 - Help yourself by imagining how you are able to be like a best friend. As if a friend was just about to harm herself, what would you say to stop your good friend? How would you distract them, how would you support them and get them to stop? Apply these answers to yourself.
13 - Love yourself. If you hate yourself there's a good chance you want to hurt yourself when you feel bad. No matter what anyone else tells or or what you think they think about you, you should love yourself. When you love someone, you don't hurt them.
Make a list of the things you like about yourself, or compliments people have paid you in the past. Refer to it often when you're feeling worthless or sad, and read it aloud to yourself.
14 - Stay positive. Remember: this will get better. Recovering from any addiction or self-destructive behavior takes patience and persistence, but you can do it. Reward yourself for your progress, and don't dwell on setbacks - they are only temporary. As long as you're moving forward and continuing to heal, you're on the right path.
http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Cutting-Yourself