Cutters Anonymous
Dismember
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Cutters Anonymous
Has anyone here every helped start or initiated a support group for mental therapy?
I either have to start up a support group for cutters, or else I could violate probation, or I have to make steps to support one. My arms are slashed to **** and I don't know what to do.
lf I could stop the pain of anyone in my area or online, I would be glad to, but I'm bleeding like a m-ther--cker now and I don't see how I'm capable of leading anyone out of this. I'm not mortally self-inflicted, but I don't see how my therapist expects me lead others out of self-harm.
If you self-harm I ask you to please stop, look at your other options. Persistence is not, not, not pretty. If you're desperate please call 9-11.
I either have to start up a support group for cutters, or else I could violate probation, or I have to make steps to support one. My arms are slashed to **** and I don't know what to do.
lf I could stop the pain of anyone in my area or online, I would be glad to, but I'm bleeding like a m-ther--cker now and I don't see how I'm capable of leading anyone out of this. I'm not mortally self-inflicted, but I don't see how my therapist expects me lead others out of self-harm.
If you self-harm I ask you to please stop, look at your other options. Persistence is not, not, not pretty. If you're desperate please call 9-11.
Administrator
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CA
Posts: 10,681
You can try Emotions Anonymous if there is a meeting in your area.
Emotions Anonymous World Meeting List
Emotions Anonymous World Meeting List
To Life!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 9,293
Isaiah,
You may also want to look at the sticky up top, on self harm.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...lf-injury.html
Our greeter, DoneWithIt, posted some awesome materials there.
Also, there is a new poster, NoLongerAJunkie, who posted on that link. I just moved her post to her own thread, so it could be viewed by more people. You may wish to communicate with her, as you both share similar issues. Shared experience, strength and hope lends itself to recovery.
Shalom!
You may also want to look at the sticky up top, on self harm.
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...lf-injury.html
Our greeter, DoneWithIt, posted some awesome materials there.
Also, there is a new poster, NoLongerAJunkie, who posted on that link. I just moved her post to her own thread, so it could be viewed by more people. You may wish to communicate with her, as you both share similar issues. Shared experience, strength and hope lends itself to recovery.
Shalom!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: north yorkshire, england
Posts: 1,891
Ive no advice to give you just wanted to let you know that Ive been where you are and I came out the other side, I havent done it for over a year, cant say I havent thought about but Ive managed not to give in.
A lot of people dont understand why anyone would do what we do and all I say to those people is I hope you never do.
My thoughts are with you and I hope you find relief. x
A lot of people dont understand why anyone would do what we do and all I say to those people is I hope you never do.
My thoughts are with you and I hope you find relief. x
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 862
For a couple of nights in a row when it got really bad I slashed up my upper arms pretty badly. There's a theory about cutting being a symptom of a lack of endogenous opiates in the brain, as pain tends to encourage them to release.
Dismember
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Aww, geez. I feel so stupid to fess up to plunging into TWO addictions at once.
Not stupid. We all make mistakes, right? I just regret if I made anyone concerned for me.
Yes, I have a problem. I wore long sleeves all summer long. I didn't cut the night I wrote that post (I meant "bleeding" metaphorically, but I have fairly recent cuts too.)
I *have* to attempt a support group because I have court-mandated psychiatric care, and while I can always tell my psychiatrists "no", I sort of have to go along unless there's some *valid* reason to dispute them--as they report to my probation officer.
I'm doing okay now. Had to reset my medication; I think it's kicking in. Had to reset my connection with God; feel like I re-opened that door pretty well today in chapel. Fell, got back up, learned from my mistake (I hope), and ready to go back to learning how to put one foot in front of the other again.
Not stupid. We all make mistakes, right? I just regret if I made anyone concerned for me.
Yes, I have a problem. I wore long sleeves all summer long. I didn't cut the night I wrote that post (I meant "bleeding" metaphorically, but I have fairly recent cuts too.)
I *have* to attempt a support group because I have court-mandated psychiatric care, and while I can always tell my psychiatrists "no", I sort of have to go along unless there's some *valid* reason to dispute them--as they report to my probation officer.
I'm doing okay now. Had to reset my medication; I think it's kicking in. Had to reset my connection with God; feel like I re-opened that door pretty well today in chapel. Fell, got back up, learned from my mistake (I hope), and ready to go back to learning how to put one foot in front of the other again.
Dismember
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Yes, and thank you for yours.
I have very little patience for strangers imposing about mine. I could be wrong, and would be sorry if I am, but I kind of regard their curiosity as being more like starring at a car crash than genuine concern for my health. My response is always to just tell them, in blunt and graphic detail. I suppose two rudes don't make a polite, but I really do find those questions imposing.
Having had a few days to think things over, I'm starting to feel positive about leading a support group. My only worry about it, which I'm going to bring to my therapist, is exactly when and where I'm supposed to do so. He seems to think I have a lot more time and resources on my hands than I do.
I have very little patience for strangers imposing about mine. I could be wrong, and would be sorry if I am, but I kind of regard their curiosity as being more like starring at a car crash than genuine concern for my health. My response is always to just tell them, in blunt and graphic detail. I suppose two rudes don't make a polite, but I really do find those questions imposing.
Having had a few days to think things over, I'm starting to feel positive about leading a support group. My only worry about it, which I'm going to bring to my therapist, is exactly when and where I'm supposed to do so. He seems to think I have a lot more time and resources on my hands than I do.
To Life!
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 9,293
Isaiah,
Seems to me that you've already got a support group going,
Right here,
Right now!
You could use some of the resources from the sticky up top, perhaps?
They are in the sticky on self harm. And they are quite good, I think.
Best wishes,
Shalom!
Seems to me that you've already got a support group going,
Right here,
Right now!
You could use some of the resources from the sticky up top, perhaps?
They are in the sticky on self harm. And they are quite good, I think.
Best wishes,
Shalom!
*~10 YEARS BABY~*
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 9,369
Here is the site for cutters anon.
Self Mutilators Anonymous Welcome
There's meetings online and I think some in person also.
Hang in there.
Self Mutilators Anonymous Welcome
There's meetings online and I think some in person also.
Hang in there.
Dismember
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Thank you both!
I have been to that website, it was very helpful at least in pointing me in a direction. However, it still falls on me to do the promotion, find the meeting space, help direct any referrals, etc. And I am not a take-action, leader type. I'm good for lots of other things, but this kind of stuff is not my forte.
Having just recently been released from the psych ward and with a few "injuries" that haven't even healed yet... I just feel like my psychiatrist is asking quite a whole lot from me. See it's not even that I'm supposed to participate in a support group, he specifically wants me to start one (we checked, there are none in my area.)
I have been to that website, it was very helpful at least in pointing me in a direction. However, it still falls on me to do the promotion, find the meeting space, help direct any referrals, etc. And I am not a take-action, leader type. I'm good for lots of other things, but this kind of stuff is not my forte.
Having just recently been released from the psych ward and with a few "injuries" that haven't even healed yet... I just feel like my psychiatrist is asking quite a whole lot from me. See it's not even that I'm supposed to participate in a support group, he specifically wants me to start one (we checked, there are none in my area.)
*~10 YEARS BABY~*
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Hollywood
Posts: 9,369
I'm with you, I don't quite understand why he wants you to start a group.
It's a lot of pressure which is not always the best thing for a self harmer, IMO.
I think it would be hard to lead a group while you are actively still self harming also.
Have you talked to him/her about this. One thing I found in my years of self harming was that the majority of therapists don't understand self harm, and many of the things they try and do can be harmful, they are doing what they think is best, but it is such a misunderstood thing we do, we are often not given the best advice.
This is just my opinion. I'm not trying to go against your therapist at all, just saying if you feel strongly about this, I would talk to him about it. You do have that right.
Maybe he can explain more why he thinks it would help you and you can talk to him about your concerns.
There is a great sheet up on the stickies called
Impulse Control Log
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/1622292-post3.html
Anyways Just My Opinion.
Take it for what it's worth. lol 
It's a lot of pressure which is not always the best thing for a self harmer, IMO.
I think it would be hard to lead a group while you are actively still self harming also.
Have you talked to him/her about this. One thing I found in my years of self harming was that the majority of therapists don't understand self harm, and many of the things they try and do can be harmful, they are doing what they think is best, but it is such a misunderstood thing we do, we are often not given the best advice.
This is just my opinion. I'm not trying to go against your therapist at all, just saying if you feel strongly about this, I would talk to him about it. You do have that right.
Maybe he can explain more why he thinks it would help you and you can talk to him about your concerns.
There is a great sheet up on the stickies called
Impulse Control Log
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/1622292-post3.html
Anyways Just My Opinion.
Take it for what it's worth. lol Dismember
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Oh, he's sick of me doing what's comfortable to me! That's one of our big things. I'm evidently not willing to go along with anything that doesn't satisfy my agenda. On that I'm willing to comply; I've been fighting his ass for a while now.
Failure at starting a group scares me less then failing to do it well. I know the cutter spirit. I'm not willing to take another person's well-being in any part in my hands. Even if I base a group that is totally unfocused upon me, it's going to be on me, right?
Failure at starting a group scares me less then failing to do it well. I know the cutter spirit. I'm not willing to take another person's well-being in any part in my hands. Even if I base a group that is totally unfocused upon me, it's going to be on me, right?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by Isaiah 
Has anyone here every helped start or initiated a support group for mental therapy?
I either have to start up a support group for cutters, or else I could violate probation, or I have to make steps to support one. My arms are slashed to **** and I don't know what to do.
lf I could stop the pain of anyone in my area or online, I would be glad to, but I'm bleeding like a m-ther--cker now and I don't see how I'm capable of leading anyone out of this. I'm not mortally self-inflicted, but I don't see how my therapist expects me lead others out of self-harm.
If you self-harm I ask you to please stop, look at your other options. Persistence is not, not, not pretty. If you're desperate please call 9-11.
I either have to start up a support group for cutters, or else I could violate probation, or I have to make steps to support one. My arms are slashed to **** and I don't know what to do.
lf I could stop the pain of anyone in my area or online, I would be glad to, but I'm bleeding like a m-ther--cker now and I don't see how I'm capable of leading anyone out of this. I'm not mortally self-inflicted, but I don't see how my therapist expects me lead others out of self-harm.
If you self-harm I ask you to please stop, look at your other options. Persistence is not, not, not pretty. If you're desperate please call 9-11.
To give you an advice, take whatever you use for cutting, wrap it in duct tape, then put in a box, then in another one, and so go on, then put it in a place hidden and hard to get to.Until you'll have it in your hands the urge will feel a bit better.
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