About Emily Expertise I can answer almost all teen issues such as self harm, suicide, eating disorders, depression and other mental health disorders, drugs, alcohol, assault, harrassment, family problems, trauma, friendship problems and a lot more, so just ask. Pretty much anything that teens have to face I can answer. I'm also Christian and non-judgmental so I can answer questions relating to religion. I will not judge people about anything.
Experience I've experienced a lot of stuff in my life including facing death in several ways, self-harm, suicide, alcohol, harrassment, family and friendship issues and more. I've had to deal with my dad being sick all my life with MS and cancer, and I've dealt with severe depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. I tried to kill myself more than once and now I want to help other teens who are having trouble.
Education/Credentials In college studying psychology among other subjects. Plus life experience.
Question I've been cutting sense seventh grade, I'm in 11th grade now, and now I don't know what else to do when I get stressed out. All I can think to do is lock my bedroom door and pull out a razor. I always where hoodies and long sleeves to hide the scars and cuts. My parents are completely oblivious to this, they don't think much of anything, they really just ignore me unless I need money or a ride. I don't want to cut anymore, but I don't know what to do...
Answer Hi Emily.
It’s definitely not easy to stop cutting, especially when you’ve been doing it for so long. You tend to start relying on it for everything and it begins to feel like nothing else will help. Everyone tells you to get help and yes, you should. Cutting is not easy to stop and you need help and support to get through it. Just someone to talk to even. Apart from that the two best things I can recommend are distraction and finding something safe to replace the cutting. When I say something safe to replace it I mean something that still provides a sense of coping but will not hurt you. Some people wear an elastic band around their wrist and flick it against their skin when they get upset or stressed. That provides a sharp sting of pain, similar to cutting, but isn’t actually injuring them.
There are so many things you can do to distract yourself that you’re bound to find something that works. You could try writing down how you feel in poetry or a diary or even in the form of fiction by creating another character to replace you and writing their story based on your life. You could also try drawing how you feel. None of these things have to actually be any good so don’t get paranoid about that; just as long as it gets your feelings out. One thing that is also quite useful is the Butterfly Project which you can read about on www.recoveryourlife.com which is a website devoted to self harm. RYL has a list of distractions, funny images, information, support forums and more. It is a brilliant website simply because they do not tell you to stop cutting and expect it to be instant. They understand how difficult it is and provide a place where you can talk to people experiencing the same things as you. They have so much on there, and it is free to join. Hopefully all of this will help you out a bit, and try to stay strong. It’s not easy but with support and time you’ll get through this. Best of luck
