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Looking after ourselves

Annabelle4
Contributor

Self Care

How can I take better care of myself? I have a really bad habit of self harming when I need to be taking good care of myself instead. All ideas welcome.

I have “mental health issues” which include PTSD. Nights are the worst time for me. Can anyone else relate?

8 REPLIES 8

Re: Self Care

Hi @Annabelle4 Welcome to the forum. I don't have self harm experience but I still struggle with self care. If you use the search box at the top of the page a whole lot of threads on the topic come up. In working on self care, I have found starting small has helped, e.g. putting health activities first in my day (e.g. meditation, yoga and walking my dogs) before I get started on chores and looking after things for my kids. Once I start on those, there's no end to it and I miss out. Take care.

Re: Self Care

Sorry @frog. I’ve never done this before. I joined the forum because I have complex mental health issues and I don’t do well with people face to face.

Three things about me: I am passionate about animals, I’m middling aged, and I’m a terrific worrier. How’s that for starters?

Re: Self Care

No need to apologize @Annabelle4 I actually thought about joining the forum for 2 years before I did anything about it! It was really confusing at first, but also really worthwhile. It really feels like a community to me now. If someone tags you (with @) in another thread you can reply there to join in. We have a bit in common because I am middle aged, a chronic worrier, and love animals Smiley Happy I also have Bipolar 1 and lots of anxiety issues just to make life interesting Smiley Frustrated

Re: Self Care

hi @Annabelle4 im wondering if your still around? i suffer from sh urges too and would be more than happy to give you a hand with helping to cope with them

Re: Self Care

Hi @outlander.Yes, I’m still around. I’m just a bit quieter than I was. I’d love some workable ideas for when I get the urge to sh. It seems like the urges are just as strong as ever.

Thank you for offering to help with ideas.

Re: Self Care

Sure @Annabelle4 what have you tried so far? And do you find anything that helps at?

Re: Self Care

I’ve tried ice, punching a punch-bag, pinching, sitting with the feeling, and writing it out. I’m starting to think that nothing but the pain will work.

Apologees for the long time between responses, @outlander - I get intermittent internet signals here.

Re: Self Care

hi @Annabelle4 

this thread here might be able to help you abit more with strategies. ill be back with a better response after abit of sleep..

heres the thread

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