How long ago did you first begin self-injury?

What was happening in your life then?

How did you self-injure?

Where on your body did you self-injure?

Is that part of your body an important part to you?

How often do you self-injure?

When was the most recent time?

Where were you when you self-injured last?

What were you doing just before?

What did you do right after?

What is important to you about self-injury?

I NEED TO FEEL THE PAIN

IT HELPS ME FEEL SENSATION

INJURY STOPS THE FEELINGS

IT LETS ME KNOW I AM ALIVE

IT HELPS ME SPACE OUT

IT HELPS ME FEEL GROUNDED

I NEED TO FEEL PUNISHED

ITS HOW I ASK FOR HELP

I DON'T KNOW WHY

IT JUST HAPPENS

I FEEL MORE IN CONTROL

I CAN'T BE ANGRY ANY OTHER WAY

IT HELPS ME CRY

IT FEELS SOOTHING AND COMFORTING

IT RELEASES TENSION

IT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN FEEL SEXUAL

IT'S FAMILUAR

I NEED TO SEE THE BLOOD/MARKS

IT HELPS ME GET AWAY

I CAN'T REMEMBER

I GET MORE FOCUSED

IT'S MINE AND NO ONE ELSE'S

IT MAKES EVERYTHING MORE REAL

IT MAKES EVERYTHING LESS REAL

I RELEASE MY FRUSTRAIONS THAT WAY

I FEEL LIKE I'M SUPPOSED TO

IT HELPS ME KNOW MY EDGES

PEOPLE WHO DISSOCIATE AND SELF-INJURE HAVE SAID THEY DO SO BECAUSE:

EVERYTHING SLOWS DOWN/SPEEDS UP AND I FEEL LIKE I'M IN A FOG

I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT MY BODY WHEN I HURT

I ONLY FEEL THE FIRST CUT BUT NONE OF THE OTHERS

I FEEL OUT OF IT AND IF I HIT MYSELF LONG ENOUGH IT HELPS ME "COME BACK"

I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER HURTING MYSELF, I JUST SEE THE SCARS LATER AND KNOW I MUST HAVE DONE IT

IT'S LIKE I WATCH MYSELF DO IT BUT I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M DOING IT

IT'S LIKE ANOTHER PART OF ME IS DOING IT

In order to develop alternativees for self-injury, one must have some sense or idea as to why we do it. Through self-discovery and therapy, we can help ourselves understand or at least realize what it is that may trigger us in to this behavior.

Feelings or underlying feelings play a mAjor role in why we self-injure. Ask yourself: do any of these feelings make me want to hurt myself? anger, sad, lonely, stupid, hurt, happy, nervous, small, afraid, sexy, hopeless, empty, guilty, ashamed, cheated, let down, tricked, crazy, annoyed, embrassed, humilated.

When we are surrounded by our feelings and emotions we can feel, isolated, dissociative and even threatened. We can recognize that a feeling "triggers" us into an unhealthy response, we can then work on an alternative behavior other then self-injury. From our experiences, we go from 0 - 10 on the feelings scale without anything inbetween. Meaning, we have a feeling and then immediatley go to the self-harm behavior. We're sure we are not the only ones who do this.

One technique we are trying to use and develop for ourselves is self talk. Recognizing the behavior, understanding the need to injure, but promising ourselves to take FIVE or five minutes before doing anything. Sometimes the extra time out helps us get through the feelings enough to stay safe.

Another technique we use is the safety agreement. This way we have made a promise to ourselves and to our therapist that we will stay safe or call if we need help.. This works for us because we belive in promises and don't like to break them.

How does a safety contract work? Well,, first of all you need to promise yourself you need help. Then call for help and Wait for an answer. Next accept the help that is given you. When all else fails call 911.

You should have at least three resources or contacts near you at all times so that when you are in a crisis situtaion you can call someone to help you , even if that means just talking to you or calling 911 for you. The more resources you have the better chances you have of getting the help you need. And remember,,, people are human so they may not always be there for you at a given time. Don't give up go to your next resource.

Check out the links we have found and use what you can.

But more important

TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!!!!