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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
Embarrassing to talk about but wondering if anyone else has a problem hurting themselves to get some relief when you get upset, angry, etc. My doc has me on Prozac and Wellbutrin for depression and recently added Geodon for the cutting. I seem to be a bit better, like cutting isn't the very first thing I think of when I'm agitated, but I still really want to. Risperdon really seemed to help but I couldn't handle the weight gain so I'm trying Geodon. Anyone else taking medication for this problem? Any success? Part of me doesn't want to stop cutting, it works so well so fast to bring some relief, but it's obviously unhealthy. Thanks for any input.
Posted by NikkiT2 on September 3, 2002, at 16:14:37
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
I take 10mg Zyprexa for my wierd thoughts, but I haven't cut since I started it.. I still want to, I *really* want to, but it seems to have just given me that little boost to be able to find something better to do... when the feelings come I feel better able to deal with them and talk myself out of it.
Good luck, I know how hard it is when you know what relief you'll get from cutting
nikki xx
Posted by Kath on September 3, 2002, at 16:53:33
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it? » Nikita, posted by NikkiT2 on September 3, 2002, at 16:14:37
My daughter has told me that she has found ice cubes help her. She has lots of scars from cutting in the past & she said she's been able to NOT cut, but still have an 'outlet' by holding an ice cube against her skin - say on her arm. She said it really hurts without cutting the skin.
I know that ice cubes help ME - to deal with anger! They're wonderful to take one by one & HURL into the bathtub! They shatter & make a wonderful noise & you can grab them out & hurl them back again to shatter smaller!! Watch they don't bounce & hit you in the eye though.
hope you can get some help with this. I don't cut, but I pick at anything that isn't smooth! I have scabs on my arms that haven't healed in months because I don't let them. I'm the 3rd person who I know of who does this picking since they're been on Celexa. It & memory loss seem to be the only side effects for me.
warm thoughts, Kath
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2002, at 17:52:23
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
Since you've been able to pin your agitation as a trigger to cutting, I would think any of the benzos would help (with much less side-effects then the APs). Also naltrexone, an opiate antagonist, is often prescribed to cutters. The key though is to learn new and better coping skills through therapy- although this is a long-term commitment, it really is the only answer. As long as it isn't life-threatening, you should be able to stay out-patient (there are a few hospitals in the U.S. that specialize in this). I wish you all the best- judy
Posted by Dinah on September 3, 2002, at 18:15:07
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
I've actually found that I cut more on an SSRI and on Effexor. The SSRI, Luvox, didn't make me agitated, so I can only assume that it was somehow disinhibiting.
Posted by Essence on September 3, 2002, at 18:34:36
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it? » Nikita, posted by Dinah on September 3, 2002, at 18:15:07
This post has really touched home to me but not for the obvious reason, I am not a cutter myself, but my son, who is 15 has been burning himself, his arms mostly, with cigarettes. I have confronted him about this and he denies he is doing it, says his friends keep bumping into him, etc. I have no idea why someone would want to hurt themselves, could you please offer some insight into this for me, and tell me how I can help my son. He refuses counseling, I have taken him in the past and he has refused to speak, not even a hello to the psycologist, they eventually after several of these sessions, told me not to bring him back as they felt they were wasting their time with someone who was not willing to help himself. I'm lost as I don't know where his pain is coming from.
Thanks
Ess
Posted by judy1 on September 3, 2002, at 19:32:30
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Essence on September 3, 2002, at 18:34:36
I'm so sorry you are going through this (you may want to post on PPB for more support). I started cutting (SI- self-injuring) as a teen, I knew others who did it also. There are many reasons, for myself it was child abuse, for others a personality disorder. Basically it is a coping skill that usually comes as a result of anger turned inward, so as I said in an earlier post you have to learn healthier coping skills to replace it- like expressing your anger, etc. His therapist was correct, there's nothing they can do until he's ready. It sounds like he's not doing too much damage- does he try to hide it? If not, it may be a cry for attention. Are there other symptoms like problems in school? I am in my 30s, and until a year ago I didn't confront it and attempt to stop- I'm making slow progress, but I am improving. Most cutters or SIers are NOT suicidal, so please don't worry about that. I can only imagine how you must feel, I pray my children never do it. Take care, judy
Posted by nikita on September 4, 2002, at 8:41:19
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it? » Nikita, posted by judy1 on September 3, 2002, at 17:52:23
I guess it is pretty freaky to think about, especially thinking about your child doing it. I am 31 and haven't really had a major problem with cutting until now. For me, it's so hard to give up because it provides such instant relief, and it's like my own special thing that I don't want anyone to take away. I think I started because this Spring I divorced, which my husband didn't want thus most of our friends and co-workers think I'm a big jerk. Lots of guilt feelings about what I did to him and what effect the divorce will have on my 4 year old daughter. So I think now when I get upset it's just an emotional overload, like I have no room left for any other feelings. And it seems it doesn't take much to set me off. Like I can go from feeling fine to total rage and hurt in the blink of an eye over the silliest things, such as the man I'm dating now commenting on how a certain actress is hot. How goofy is that? I guess it also obviously stems from a lot of insecurity too. The anger is almost scarier. Although I've sliced myself up pretty good, the intention was never suicide. In some ways I really don't want to give it up, but then when my daughter or parents asks what happened to my leg or arm or wherever I've cut, I feel horrible. I guess besides the medicine taking care of such severe mood swings and reactions, you have to want to stop. The Geodon seems to be helping, not as much as the Risperdone, but I've got the jitters big time, lots of energy but I could just jump out of my skin.
Posted by amber_spirit on September 4, 2002, at 13:44:19
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
I've had luck with Depakote and Seroquel. Depakote
is a mood stabilizer and seroquel is an
anti-psychotic that they tell me doesn't have
the weight gain problems.Just from personal experience I've had "plain"
depressive episodes where I didn't really have a
problem with cutting. But I also have those
really agitated depressions that seem more like a
mixed (bipolar) depression and that responds to
the mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics. Maybe
you should ask your pdoc about a mood stabilizer.
Posted by linkadge on September 4, 2002, at 17:45:52
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
I understand that the BEST treatment for
cutting is vigorous excercise. Different
people cut for different reasons. Is it
axiety that prompts it or is it a thrill
seeking attitude ?Linkadge
Posted by Dinah on September 4, 2002, at 18:45:54
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by linkadge on September 4, 2002, at 17:45:52
I have to say as a cutter that exercise, vigorous or otherwise, isn't the answer for me.
Cutters don't cut to seek thrills. Cutters cut to relieve unbearable pressure. The sort of pressure varies a lot from person to person, and even within a person. Sometimes I cut because of anxiety, more often internalized anger, occasionally self loathing.
Sometimes when I don't think I can resist the urge, I take half a Klonopin and that helps me. But that's just me.
Dinah
Posted by oracle on September 5, 2002, at 1:01:14
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it? » linkadge, posted by Dinah on September 4, 2002, at 18:45:54
I have never met a cutter (or any SI person) who
did it for thrills. Never. It is always about pain
and self hate. Sometimes they say it is the only "real" thing they can feel. Or cutting releases the pain. Or a way to cope.I would say that amoung the folks I know who SI,
if they were doing it for thrills then they would not be nearly as ill.
Posted by fuji on September 5, 2002, at 6:55:55
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by oracle on September 5, 2002, at 1:01:14
I started cutting as a teenager and did it through my thirties but pretty much stopped when I got sober 17 yrs ago. The last time though was about 8 years ago but I still think about it when I can't cope and the rage and anger turns inward. The only thing I know that helped me was abstinence from drugs & alcohol and I don't know why that is. I guess it's the same premise as more suicides occur when the person has alcohol in their system than when they don't.
Posted by Nikita on September 5, 2002, at 9:13:04
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by linkadge on September 4, 2002, at 17:45:52
> I understand that the BEST treatment for
> cutting is vigorous excercise. Different
> people cut for different reasons. Is it
> axiety that prompts it or is it a thrill
> seeking attitude ?
>
> LinkadgeIt's definitely anxiety, overwhelming frustration, anger, that kind of thing that personally prompts me to cut. I do feel a great sense of relief doing it and seeing the blood, but I don't think it has anything to do with being exciting or thrilling. I wish that were the case, then I could just take up skydiving or something! Ha ha!
Posted by Ed O`Flaherty on September 5, 2002, at 15:29:45
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
It might be worthwhile trying omega-3 fish oil which has antianxiety plus antidepressant effects.Do not stop your regular medication without your doctor`s approval though.3-10g per day of fish oil (total of EPA and DHA) would be reasonable-consider giving it a try for a month and see what happens.
Posted by johnj on September 5, 2002, at 16:49:43
In reply to Re: Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Ed O`Flaherty on September 5, 2002, at 15:29:45
Fish oil gave me vivid dreams and broken sleep. I am not the only one that has had this problem. Fish oil is not a cure all IMHO. Be wary
johnj
Posted by Dave001 on September 5, 2002, at 19:07:13
In reply to Any cutters out there? Taking anything for it?, posted by Nikita on September 3, 2002, at 15:47:07
> Embarrassing to talk about but wondering if anyone else has a problem hurting themselves to get some relief when you get upset, angry, etc. My doc has me on Prozac and Wellbutrin for depression and recently added Geodon for the cutting. I seem to be a bit better, like cutting isn't the very first thing I think of when I'm agitated, but I still really want to. Risperdon really seemed to help but I couldn't handle the weight gain so I'm trying Geodon. Anyone else taking medication for this problem? Any success? Part of me doesn't want to stop cutting, it works so well so fast to bring some relief, but it's obviously unhealthy. Thanks for any input.
Don't feel embarrassed to talk about it (I know, easier said than done). My (now deceased) fiancee would go through episodes where she felt so much emotional pain that cutting herself was sometimes the only way she felt any relief. She obviously never did this in my presence, I feel compelled to add. Her emotional pain stemmed from having been abused as a child, both physically and verbally by her father; she was molested by her babysitter; and later on at age 13 when hospitalized for attempting suicide, she was raped by a staff member. How much can one take? I think convicted child molesters and rapists should be blown off the face of the planet. That's about as *civil* as I can put it.
Dave
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