Getting Help
There are better ways to deal with
troubles than cutting - healthier,
long-lasting ways that don’t leave a
person with emotional and physical
scars
The first step is to get help with the troubles
that led to the cutting in the first place
Getting Help
There are better ways to deal with troubles than cutting - healthier, longlasting ways that don’t leave a person with emotional and physical scars.
The first step is to get help with the troubles that led to the cutting in the
first place. Here are some ideas for doing that 1. Tell someone. People who have stopped cutting often say the first step
is the hardest - admitting to or talking about cutting. They also say that
after they open up about it,
they often feel a great
sense of relief. Choose
someone you trust to talk to
at first. If it’s too difficult to
bring up the topic in person,
write a note.
2. Identify the trouble that’s
triggering the cutting.
Cutting is a way of reacting
to emotional tension or
pain. Try to figure out what
feelings or situations are
causing you to cut. Is it
anger? Pressure to be
perfect? Relationship
trouble? A painful loss or
trauma? Mean criticism or
mistreatment? Identify the
trouble you’re having, then
tell someone about it. Many
people have trouble figuring
this part out on their own.
This is where a mental
health professional can be
helpful.
3. Ask for help. Tell someone
that you want help dealing
with your troubles and the
cutting. If the person you
ask doesn’t help you get the
assistance you need, ask
someone else. Sometimes
adults try to downplay the
problems teens have or
think they’re just a phase.
Tell someone