coping patch

[the edge of the world]

Once I made a happy balloon. Well... I blew up a balloon in math class (independent study) and it looked sad and I felt like it was like me or something... so, I drew happy faces all over it. I was going to pop it when I was done, but decided to leave it be happy.

Often I doodle on my hands to distract myself or tear up paper. Sometimes I stick the longer strips of paper in my hair... for fun? idk... I like that it makes people laugh.

I think I want to try put stickers on my face when I find some (somewhere in my frighteningly messy room...)

[Seeshellz]

When I get the urge to si I keep putting it off until I no longer want to.

I colour with crayons or pencil crayons in kids books or adult colouring books.

I stay away from my tool. I have a safe place and stay there.

I go on BUS and distract myself. Sometimes just can play games.

I eat(bad one!)

Do other things on the computer or internet.

[Spidey]

i watch the bonus discs from TV/movie series

More often then not they're really funny (deleted scenes, messups), or they're really great insights on how a concept comes together.

[StevieLynn]

Sometimes I try to be creative. I work on a magazine collage full of things that I enjoy doing. It's great to do this on a box or clipboard so you can use it and remind yourself of all the good things. Or I work on a knitting project. Doing a project meant for someone else makes me feel good. So does finishing a project. It makes me feel accomplished.

Other times I am feeling too poorly to do something productive, so I put on my fleece pjs, make a mug of tea, and curl up under my flannel blankets so I feel warm and safe. Putting a DVD of my favorite TV show on serves as a distraction.

Still other times I just acknowledge the urge and remind myself of all the reasons why I don't want to SI.

Love,
Stevie

[silent_end]

I used to write poetry for the most part they were depressing but they helped me figure out what i was really feeling inside and having people comment on it made me feel better knowing that someone out there is listening to me ... that is may work for someone.. personally i can't do it anymore and i need to find a similar outlet any suggestions?

[ultimate starshine]

when i am in the mood where i want to SI, I like getting a notebook, scribbling over it in red pena dn then tearing the aopges up or scoring the pages with scissors it seems to help me.

[heidibeth]

When I am feeling really angery I try to ripe up paper instead of harming myself. I also have tried to throw pillows at the wall.

[Heidi4DBT]

I find these things to be very helpful:
talking with a loved one
Journaling
Reading
Going for a walk
Drawing

[angelclown]

Generally when I was younger I used to write poetry or songs. Sometimes I still do. Phoning my partner helps too, just to hear his voice; he's been through the "Black Dog" before so he can talk me through an urge. Random YouTube videos or comedy things I'm subscribed to help distract me.

**drug trigger**
Or I *try* and get to sleep, just curl up into a ball, if I'm able at that moment. It's not always possible however, and in the past I've maybe tried to sedate myself using alcohol or OTC painkillers (the normal dose you'd take for a headache, not an OD), but I would NEVER recommend that to another person as a valid coping method.
*************


But what seems to help a lot of the time is planning for my next tattoo, regardless of whether that plan comes into fruition. Especially since one of my planned designs has to do with SI-awareness and coping. Because, hey, if I have fresh scar tissue where I want to tattoo, I can't get the tattoo!