Can I learn to use other forms of coping to resist the urges of Self Harm?

It's hard work. First, you have to think of or read about healthier ways to cope. Then you need to choose a few of those ideas to try. It's easiest to try a new skill BEFORE you are super triggered - maybe when you're just a little upset, try the skill. It can also help to write down these 3-5 skills you want to try and keep them somewhere you can see them and remember to try them. Then, reflect on the skill you tried - did it work? what made it helpful? OR, did it not help? Why was it unhelpful? Return to the big list of coping ideas and exchange any ideas that didn't work, or add new ideas to your list of ways to cope. You may have to do more reading to find more ideas. It's a long process, but by trying and reflecting you can eventually find ways to cope. Do note: it's rare for ONE coping method to work for ALL times you want to harm. Find out what works for what emotion, and try to find a variety of coping skills.

You can definitely learn how to use other forms of coping to resist self harm urges. This is a great way to divert negative energy into something that you can be proud of, such as a piece of writing or making a new friend online or researching a topic you've always been curious about. There will still be times when the self harm urges come back, but with practice it gets easier to know you'll get through and you have the strength and experience to face anything. You've already survived so much, you are incredibly strong!

Yes absolutely! It can take time and patience and self-control, but some people find comfort in writing things down using a journal or writing someone you can confide in, going for a long walk and listening to music and drinking some cold water and meditate.

Yes absolutely! There are so many resources out there to help you, and I would also encourage you to talk to a professional so that you can identify your triggers and get to the root of the problem. And don't be afraid to come talk if you ever need it :)

[| Draw - Draw on your body with a marker. If you find your thoughts continually drifting back to harming yourself, one alternative is to draw on your body with a marker. Draw on the place where you are thinking of harming yourself. Ink won’t leave a scar. [| Use body stickers, temporary tattoos, henna, tattoo pens [| Sleep it off - when you feel like self harming at night, go to bed early  [| Remove tools - flush it down the toilet, throw it in the trash or remove it from your reach. [| Keep tools out of reach - if you cannot throw it away, put it in a box, put tape around the tool to make it harder to get to, and put notes in/on the box to remind you why self-harm isn’t the answer, and why you’re fighting to recovery. Put this box in an out of reach area like a basement, top shelf or back of cupboard.  [| Butterfly Foundation - draw a butterfly on the area you self harm - if you self harm, you’ve killed the butterfly, if you don’t you’ve let it live. Label it with the name of someone you care about. [| Semicolon; foundation - A writer uses a semicolon to signify that they could have ended the sentence but chose not to. You are the writer, and your life is the story. Living another day is a victory in itself. Draw a semicolon as a symbol of your victory, and a reminder of why you must keep fighting.  [| Tape - Put thin clear tape on the areas you self harm. You won’t be able to harm your skin with the tape over it, you are able to draw on it and not stain your skin and if you feel desperate for pain rip the tape off. Do not use anything stronger than simple, clear, plastic tape. [| Talk to someone, this can be family, friends, a professional or one of our listeners [| These are other alternatives ---> http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-self-harm/t9418-alternatives-self-harm/ [| There is an information booklet on managing self-harm behaviours that you might like to read through https://das.bluestaronline.com.au/api/prism/document?token=BL/0479

Of course you can! http://www.helpguide.org/articles/anxiety/cutting-and-self-harm.htm This site is a very great one to help with the urges of self-harm. Always remember there is hope!

yes you can. it will be hard though. cause self harm is inflicted mostly to let the person feel alive. to find something equally effective will be hard. but the mind can be trained to focus on another activity to subdue the urges of self harm.

Yes their is a few coping techniques. For example you can get a red pen, and draw where you want to self harm. Hold some ice cubes in your hands or where you want to self harm.

Yeah!, I used to draw on myself with a felt pen (always one with a soft tip so I couldn't hurt myself with it!) when I felt urges. I would draw where ever I would usually self harm. I found this really helpful and it helped me to stop self harming! I would draw anything, spirals, flowers, often just black lines. Hopefully this helps a little! :)

Of course you can. I believe and you and basically everyone in the wonderful community believes in you too. :) You are a strong person and you will one day be able to completely resist the urges of self harm. Don't worry if it doesn't happen quickly because becoming better takes lots of time. For example, would you be able to heal in a week if you broke your leg? No, you wouldn't. It's the same thing with your mental health. Best of luck :)