Alternatives to Cutting?

you need to ask yourself why you cut yourself.
like if you don't cut yourself for the physical pain to distract yourself from emotional pain, then a rubber band will not really help. but if this is the case, and if you want something a bit more painful, hold an ice cube in your hand.

how are you feeling when you want to cut, and how do you feel afterwards? finding the reason behind your self harm is the first step to stopping.
if you're feeling empty, then it may mean you want to feel something. if you feel disconnected, you might want to cut to see blood to know that you're alive. for feelings like anxiety or anger, it's possibly because you want to feel some release. sometimes cutting can get you high too.
you can talk to someone when you feel like cutting. you can go for a run. you could make an 'emergency box' where you put positive things in there and something you like (maybe chocolate?) and cards of 'reasons not to cut yourself'.
btw don't be mad at yourself for relapsing, because this is part of the recovery process. it can be too hard to abruptly quit cutting. if you were able to hold it off for a week, next time try longer than that, even a day longer. be PROUD of yourself each time.
i can't think of any other alternatives besides all this and that.
it's going to be hard. but you can do this. believe in yourself, and be kind to yourself.

good luck <3

Its a symptom of depression. It means your brain is not producing sufficient serotonin. Depression is common but easy to treat. So tell a dr. how you feel and ask for Zoloft, an excellent antidepressant.-------

It takes 2-3 wks for your body to adjust to it during which time you will have trouble staying asleep. But, after that, you will become a relaxed, confident, healthy person.------------------------





Find some big happy churches, attend age-appropriate groups there and have fun. Talk with the pastor/minister. Where else can you get counseling for FREE? Remember, God loves you more than you can possibly imagine.

Pray

Use pure etherical essence from citrus fruits and paint whatever you want on your skin with a q-tip. Wait half an hour until your skin turns red. It will hurt a little, but will not last no longer than a day or two.

A very impressive, but not dangerous thing some evangelic preachers use.