[SPECIAL GUEST] Self injury: riding the wave of distressed emotions

[lanejane]

@Ben-RO

maybe we should get the DBT's distress tolerance module put somewhere on RO if it has good stuff?

[j95]

Not yet but we're working it aren't we @lanejane @SarahS

[stonepixie]

I should probably go add my 2 that I suggested.

[lanejane]

one daaaaaayyyyyyy @j95 @SarahS

EVERYONE GO ADD ANOTHER AFTER THIS CHAT

but not now cos then ill have no one to talk to for the next 20 mins

[Ben-RO]

The question again:

What can you do when normal methods of delaying self

harm don't work like drawing on your skin or using rubber

bands? Cause in the moment I'm not really thinking about what

else I can do... My head is a mess and I get all flustered so

alternative methods aren't really on my mind

@SarahS answered
It sounds like you need a pre-written safety plan that is

available to read when you are feeling flustered. It is very

common to not be able to think of other coping methods when

you feel flustered. There are many, many distress tolerance

skills you can use instead of self-harming: see this website

Click here

I always ask my patients to give copies of their safety plans to

friends, partners and family members as well, so that when you

are feeling flustered and can’t find your plan or feel unable to

follow it, you can call somebody else to help you through it.

[Ben-RO]

This will be the last question we have time for tonight. But we'll post some more that Sarah answered after the session ends  

Is it unusual for someone to self harm to 'prove to

themselves' that they have a legitimate reason to feel bad, or

'give themselves permission' to feel bad?

[j95]

Cool answer @SarahS that was my question actually..

[lanejane]

Is it unusual for someone to self harm to 'prove to

themselves' that they have a legitimate reason to feel bad, or

'give themselves permission' to feel bad?

This reminds me of that saying or theory that people self-harm to express how you feel on the inside... outside.

Like if you have a physical disorder it's easy to see but mental health issues or depression can be super hard to express (both personally and to others) so maybe some people need to make this pain more physical so it feels "legitamite"?

[lanejane]

nice question @j95

i think you asking that would helped a lot of reach out users that are watching out there in cyberspace!

[SarahS]

@lanejane You've hit the nail on the head there. Self-injury is tangible. Emotions are not...