Will it always be like this?

[hayleyd1991]

Hi, heads messed up lately. I've not self harmed for a few years now but it's all I can think about, just to be able to have some relief and forget everything just for a while. Seeing my scars makes it more intense.
I just want to escape for a while

[Pi.R^2]

Hi there! Sorry to hear that you're having such a difficult time at the moment but well done on not self harming :)

To answer your question, I think it varies from person to person how much the urges linger. For me, I'm ten years free and it's still there but not always in the foreground and only sometimes in an intrusive and overwhelming way. And those times where the urges do get really intense, they do always go away without me doing it which I try to remember when in the moment!

Do you have any idea what has caused this? How are you doing today?

[hayleyd1991]

Still feeling the same really. I know those feelings and urges never really go but there not usually so intense. I just want the feeling afterwards and the release.

[sandalwood]

I'm sorry you're going through intense self-harm urges.

Are there any things you can do which can give you that release and feeling afterwards? Exercise for example can be very good in releasing tension and making you feel relaxed.

Are there any other things you can do which give you relief? I found I can get relief from the thoughts by focusing my mind away from them and applying 'distraction techniques.' I know the feelings might come back after doing a distraction but it may not be as intense and you may feel in control a little more.

You can escape doing other things than self-harming. Can you think of other escape mechanisms that would help?

[hayleyd1991]

I've tries to keep distracted but it's not helping/helped, I've just made it worse with one night stand. (Sigh)