Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone here has ever experienced issues with self-injury and if it has worsened since they have gotten sick.
Thanks. Jess.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Taking a chance here and jumping right to the likely reason you ask.
Please get very still and, kindly, ask yourself what the motivation is? What's going on.
Can you "talk to yourself" like a friend and soothe any concerns? Run through all your self-soothing methods - breathe if you have to think about what they all are. Keep breathing. Steady and slow . . . deep . . . consistent. Get some fresh air.
ACT for your health. DO something good. Feel some fresh air on your face, drink a cup of herb tea . . . routines that are soothing . . . .
Appreciate ART. Look at your favorite painting. Paint something of your own right now - go for colors.
Music of Mozart is especially centering for upsetting times but any music that touches your soul is a good idea.
By DOING something that envelopes you in color, art, music, fresh air, that will help bring back some balance in your awareness.
Come back into BALANCE.
If that is not happening, please call your psychiatrist. Really.
And check to be sure you've taken your magnesium, taurine and fish oil today and have had a good meal or snack lately. These things will nourish you and soothe your mood.
If magnesium is not optimal, indeed, the brain can go to some very dark places. Bring in the light - staring with food, magnesium, fish oil, art and love. -
Posted by jessicabooklover (Member # 39427) on :
Keebler, thanks so much. I am OK right now. I had a relapse of self-injury for the first time in years on Sunday, though. It was part of what prompted me to call the psychiatrist and restart treatment.
I was just wondering if anyone else with a similar history has experienced a relapse of self-injurious behavior since being sick.
I really thought that I was over this behavior and that's why my "slip up" on Sunday scares me so much. UGH..lyme really does mess with the brain as well as the body. Thanks so much Keebler. Jess
Posted by Dove7 (Member # 39546) on :
Jess, I had a student who had a few relapses whenever her hormones were going out of balance. She'd made a pact w/her sister and mom at home, me at school, and, of course, her counselor.
Safety and honesty. Were you upfront w/ your doc at your appts about this and did you make a plan w/Dr. F, I think it was?
Do you do meditation, tai chi, yoga, or playan instrument? Keebler is one of the wise ones on here, and the suggestions to le yourself be inthe moment and connect w/the earth (nature, flowers, grass, a breeze, raindrops,etc) or art are excellent.
Promise us, me, that you will put the doc's number on speed dial.
Jess, life isn't fair, but it is beautiful, wretched, kind, disastrous, joyous and more. It is not perfect as fairy tales would have us think. Emotions aren't good or bad, but just emotions. How we experience and react to them and our circumstances defines us.
Be yourself. Love yourself. If you could see each person you encounter in true transparency, you'd see the hurts and happy moments people have in common.
You now have a new husband who is rooting for you. Do no harm. Go to him and hold his hand, cry on his shoulder, dance together. Allow yourself to feel those things.
You can do this. It won't be easy. I want the best for you. Tell your doc, and call him if you need to tell him of this.
Since actions speak louder than words, I would wrap you in a big hug and tell you that things will look better soon.
Also, consider light therapy, perhaps you have some seasonal affective disorder so common from Nov-Apr.
All the best.
Posted by jessicabooklover (Member # 39427) on :
Dove-thank you so very much.
I am trying to love myself. I never truly have.
And my fella is a major reason why I went back into therapy. I want to be good to him and for him. I love him more than anything on this planet.
Thanks so much again for the thoughtful post. Jess.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
In some ways, judgment is not our friend - it gets in the way of just being. Like animals get to just be. They don't berate themselves. What would it be like to just live without judging oneself? And without hearing anyone's judgments in our heads - just being, neutral, in the world.
Posted by treeinatree (Member # 38613) on :
Jess - yes, have experienced. Worse after getting sick - no. But there is much about being sick that could trigger things. And there are behavioral - infectious connections that are only beginning to be explored. Don't worry, this doesn't mean that it will continue or get worse. Can your therapist help you focus on the underlying feelings. Take care Tree
Posted by jessicabooklover (Member # 39427) on :
Thanks Robin. And Tree-thank you so much.
Yes I was a self-injurer after experiencing some trauma and it really was serious for a long time. I was free of it for years until Sunday night.
My therapist and I worked out a self-harm contract and that is helping me to feel accountable.