AboutTara Expertise I can answer any question from suicidal thoughts to suicidal actions. I have had my share of suicidal thoughts, and have cut myself a few times in my past. If you need help finding a counseler or just need someone to listen to you and what you're going through, I will be here for you. However if its an emergency and you are going to kill yourself please call 911.
Experience I have had my share of suicidal thoughts, and have cut myself a few times in my past. I know how you are feeling and what you are going through. I will be here for you and help you in any way that I can.
Education/Credentials I am a sophomore in college, and have taken psychology courses.
Expert: Tara Date: 7/4/2008 Subject: Suicide and cutting
Question QUESTION: I have friends, close friends even. My family loves me, and I have all I need to live. So what's the problem, right? I cut myself for months until people found out. My mother found out, my friends were suspicious. My mom hid my razors from me, and I promised I wouldn't do it again. But then a week ago, I did it again. My best friend and mom found out and they were furious. I felt so bad, I still do, and I just want to kill myself, I was being so stupid. I feel like I just deserve to die, I've caused people pain when all I wanted was to punish myself. I have tried to commit suicide before, but I just thought maybe there was a reason to live. But not anymore. I just don't know anymore.
ANSWER: Hi Pamela,
Can you answer me something honey, why do you feel you have to cut? What do you need to punish yourself for? Your best friend and mom souldn't be furious with you they should be listening to you and trying to help you. Have you ever tried to explain to them why you cut? If you did maybe they could help you with stopping it. Next time you feel the urge to cut honey try to distract yourself. Ask your mom or your friend to do somethings with you tell them that you feel like cutting and need a distraction, or go outside and clear your head. Make sure to take all of the things that you would use to cut yourself and remove them from your home, give them to your mom. Have you ever been to see a counseler or therapist? That's something you may want to consider they are there to help people with these kinds of problems. And if you ever feel the need to kill yourself and can't find another way out of it you need to call a hotline or 911 right away honey. There are a lot of reasons to live, your mom, best friend, other friends. Think of all the opportuinties in life you would be missing out on if you killed yourself sweetie.
Please consider everything I've told you, and if you have anymore questions or just need to vent I am here for you honey.
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QUESTION: I feel like I need to cut because it takes away the emotional pain and I hate showing that I'm sad and depressed, so cutting makes me happy like how I used to be. The emotional pain comes from me caring about everyone and trusting but having it betrayed so many times. I tried to commit suicide but I convinced myself to live for my mom and brother and best friend. But then my best friend even tried to kill herself before and she told me the only reason she was living was for her mom. I understand that completely, but I just felt like nothing, like if I died, it wouldn't matter to her as much as it would to me. I cut instead of killing myself, but that only makes things worse...
Answer I understand how you feel honey, I used to be the same way. Everything just seems like it's going downhill fast and you can't control it, doesn't it? Maybe you and you best friend can make some sort of pact with eachother, say when you're down and feel like cutting or committing suicide she can help you make the feeling go away by comforting you and letting you confide in her, and when she feels down you can do the same for her, kind of like a see-saw but neither of you can get off until you are both sure each of you will be okay.
I still suggest that you should talk to a counselor and see if they can help you with some of your emotional pain honey. They are qualified professionals who know how to handle many different situations dealing with cutters, emotions, ect. Maybe you and your friend could go together and support eachother through everything.
I know exactly what you are going through hun. I tried to commit suicide once, but then I realized that it takes more effort to see all the negative things in life than it does to see the positive things.
One thing that helped me when I was going through a rough time was that I kept a journal. Each time I felt that I wanted to harm myself I just wrote down everything I was feeling at the time and by the time I was done writing everything the urge to harm myself as gone. Maybe that's something you can try next time you feel you need to cut.
There are many things that make a person want to be alive. Such as, looking forward to new experiences, happy ones. Like having children, I know there are some people out there who don't want any kids but kids keep adults young and their happiness and purity bring joy to everyone around them. This is how my nephew makes me feel. Trust me there are many experiences out there that you don't want to miss, getting married, finding the that perfect someone to spend the rest of your life with, having kids, then grandchildren, watching them grow into adults, family trips, trips with friends, college, graduation, graduation parties, all of these are worth sticking around for.
Trust me if you don't like things now you are going to love what your future has to offer if you just give it a chance.
Please keep in touch and let me know if you have any other questions, concerns, or just need to talk.