cutting hair on my own
 

I've been trying to stop SH and now I've picked up on another addictive behavior. It's not as harmful but t's still the mindset of SH though. Like I would cut my hair without thinking and let it be uneven. Then I'd feel terrible after. Not only that, but I still have urges to SH and do it still. Cutting my hair triggers to further SH. Any advice?

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Hey Susan :)

My advice to you is to do one particular thing when you get those urges, like holding ice for example. Then eventually when something upsets you, your body will think you need to hold ice instead of hurt yourself.

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

thank you Cassie, great idea. I'll try that :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

try holding ice thats a good one maybe yo could try cutting paper up? then slowly move away from the cuting to something less harmful. have you tried putting a red sock on your arm? that might take the urges of cutting away take care pm me or vm anytime

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Thank you
yeah, ice sounds like a good idea, but now that I think of it, I never really have ice in my freezer..lol. I rip paper when I'm angry but then I feel more aggressive.
I thought of having play dough or clay to use. D: I don't know yet, guess I'll haveto experiemtn with alternatives.

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Hey, Susan, this thread might be a bit helpful. Alternates to Self-Harm.

I'm glad you're fighting urges to cut, but now you're starting another unhealthy addiction. Like the others said, holding ice in your hand helps! There's plenty more alternatives in that link I gave you.

If you ever need to talk, I'm here. :hug:

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

thank you :hug:
Do you think holding something from the freezer like packaged of frozen mixed vegetables could substitute ice? It's just that my freezer doesn't function properly and it can't make ice :o

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Yeah, you could hold a bag of frozen vegetables. :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

yay thank you :)

and I'm copying and pasting the list of alternatives to my email :3

then I could refer to it even when the site is down
or better yet I might print it out and mark the ones I tried so far and whether it works or not
* light bulb * I have an idea XD
Thank you guys so much :hug:

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Looks like you found some piece of mind but i wouldn't recommend cutting paper, maybe avoid any action involving scissors or sharp things. making hemp bracelets is always fun :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

I didn't cut my hair in about two weeks D: didn't SH in one week. But still picked my skin in a more anxiety and stress behavior way. :? I'm working in that still.

Thank you guys for everything. I've been keeping myself distracted and my hands busy as much as possible. I tried holding something frozen, it actually worked for a distraction D: also pushing it off, saying I'll do it later, later, later till I lose the urge. It works because I'm a master at procrastinating

I used to make bracelets out of embroidery string, I might start doing that again :) My dad has this mysterious looking ball of tough textured yarn. Not sure if it's hemp yarn or not lol. But I'm curious to make a bracelet out of it :hehe:

I don't think cutting paper is a bad idea, and I think I could mostly be around scissors and even use them. (I did a craft project with scissors recently and was fine) As long as I tell myself I will only use the scissors for so and so...I have to define what I'm using it for and make boundaries. Then I won't use it for anything that I didn't mention if that makes any sense. I could still try ripping paper D: It sounds like it would be more satisfying for some reason
thanks again. <3

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Hemp bracelets are awesome, and Cassie, the ice idea is brilliant! :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

I'm gonna try the hemp bracelets :)
D: I've drank hemp milk before, I just realized they're both hemp :o

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Hey there,

the best advice I can give to you is when you have this feeling immediately do something else. By do something else when you have these feelings your brain will make you feel that you need to do that specific thing instead of cutting your hair when you have these feelings.

The best thing to do is to just keep yourself distracted, it will be hard in the beginning but eventually it will get easier and just become something you do.

Feel free to message me if you need any help.

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

thank you for the advice Adriana, I appreciate it. I'm trying different alternatives, and the ones that work can eventually be used as a replacement like you mentioned. :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

Best advice: do something else to make your hands busy. You said you were going to make bracelets? Good idea :) Maybe consider taking up knitting? Or play some video games [with the controller] or type something on the computer, like a story/poem. I have a problem where I constantly pick at stuff, so I'm always trying to find ways to keep my hands and fingers busy.
Good luck :)

Re: cutting hair on my own
 

I also have a picking problem, skin and lip picking actually :P I used to bite my sleeve. I also used to do nail picking and peeling but I got very injured once and it scared me to go back.
I think knitting is a good idea, I used to know how but forgot and when I get the material I'll go back to it :3
I've never played video games with a controller before but there's "gaming for teens" once a week at the library and maybe I'll start out that way. Or I could play online games. Thank you for the great suggestions.

i was doing pretty well, then I don't know what happened yesterday but I cut alot of my hair off. I'm wearing a bun now, so the uneven parts don't show as much.