I think it's important to be realistic when trying to stop self harming. Just like any other addiction, quitting cold turkey is hard, and while relapse isn't inevitable, it is quite common. For that reason, I thought it was important to remind you of somethings.
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1.) You are not a bad person because you relapsed. You aren't weak either.
2.) Self harm is not just cutting or burning. It's not eating, purging, substance abuse, insomnia, putting ones self down, ect.
3.) If you absolutely can't stop yourself from doing it, be safe/smart about it. *
4.) If someone tells you they relapsed try hard not to freak out on them. Chances are they are probably already putting themselves down for doing it, they don't need help. You should remind them to take steps to make sure they don't get sick/infections.
5.) Similar to number four, but Be Supportive. If someone trusts you enough to tell you they self harm, then you better take it like the most sacred thing you have ever heard.
*If you're cutting/burning, this means using clean things to cut with, and taking care of the cuts/burns afterwards. Make sure to clean them, use bandages, anti-bacterial cream, burn cream, ice, cool water, and some sort of pain reliever.
**If you're not eating/purging try eating small things. Like a slice of bread with cheese. And drink water to stop hunger pains that may come about. If ur purging use crackers and lemon lime soda because it won't taste as bad, and the crakers will suck up some of the bile.
*** The last ones are a little harder for me personally to tell people to be safe with. If anyone has suggestions, please feel free to post in the comments.
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I think that's all I have for rn. If you want me to add more, or have questions leave some comments.
As always. Be safe, Dolls.
