Will/can a psychologist or counsellor help me with this?

[Kneetar04]

I'm between the ages of 18 and 25. I casually SI (self-injure) when I feel overwhelmed with emotion, particularly negative ones. I haven't SI for 3 years (after SI for 3.5 years straight), and now it's back again.

I'm not sure if I have any mental or personality disorders. SI doesn't interfere with my work, TAFE or social life.

Can they still help me if I don't have a disorder? I have never sought professional help before - but I'm getting some organised soon.

beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

 

[Magyarok]

Hello Kneetar04,

Welcome to BB.  Self injuring is a very serious issue and i am glad and proud of you that you have taken the positive step in seeking professional help.  Counselling can definitely help you by providing you with support and the tools to help yourself.

I think that you need a good support network around you to help you through these issues.  Professional help should be part of this network and do you have trusted family and friends you can talk to?  Also joining other support networks such as BB will help you as there are people here who can relate to you.

Please take care and you have made a really positive step in coming here and seeking professional help.

Best wishes to you:)

Dave

[AGrace]

Hi Kneetar04,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. I know it takes a lot to admit to something that like self harming as I have been in your situation.

Dave is right, getting some professional help with this is a must. So do you see a Counsellor or a Psychologist? There's a couple of subtle differences but both should be able to assist. Counselling tends to be more short term, and is a platform for helping you find your own solution to your problem. Psychology can be used longer term, and a Psychologist can recommend appropriate coping strategies for you to try as well as finding out if there's an underlying reason as to why you are self harming in order to help you work through this too.

Do you know why it started in the beginning? Is there anything that has triggered it recently? I know you mentioned it not interfering with your daily living however it's usually done to avoid emotional pain, or to bring about feeling when we feel quite empty.

I also wanted to direct you toward a thread in the treatments section called TIPS FOR SURFING URGES (if you type this heading into the search function top right of the page, it will direct you to the relevant thread), you may find some techniques here useful.

AGrace