Self harm and depression?

[maddie-_-]

Hey, im new here and wondeirng if anyone else self-harms? Im 13 and finding it hard to cope. My main 2 problems that cause the cutting and burining are depression and emetophobia (severe phobia of getting stomachy illness, i dont like saying the word) I dont leave the house often in fear of getting ill, so that leaves me also feeling isolated. Anyone with similar problems want to pop up to chat or offer advice? heh! thanks! :)

[olivia4514]

Well, cutting helps sometimes, since in some people it releases hormones of happines. I used to be some kind of a masochist myself when I was 14 but now I do other things to make the emotional pain go. Unfortunately I don't mean good things. Cigs,pills,meds, alcohol (not excessively).Whatever you do, don't ever go that way. I'm working on getting better now. What helps I think is distracting yourself with whatever you find enjoyable. This is a key point in every anxiety-related illnes and depression too.
Hobbies, sport or exercising (this is very important),people who love you, family, friends, socializing and so on.
About the other thing I don't really know. I'm that kind of a person who doesn't really give a fuck about getting ill :D I was once cut in the guts because of a surgery and ever since I'm not afraid of shit like this. Free exposure therapy :) jk ..
I think maybe you should somehow force yourself to get out and hang more with ya friends so you won't feel isolated. It's difficult to face your fears but I'm pulling for you - just so you know :)

[superchick22684]

Maddie,
I used to have problems with self harm when I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety seven years ago. The main thing that helped me was therapy. I had a really great therapist that helped me find ways to channel my feelings in a positive manner so that I wasn't doing that anymore. That in combination with medication helped me a lot.
I have to admit that not everything is sunshine and rainbows though. There is still the temptation to self harm and I have had those feelings recently but have thankfully not acted on them. I have recently gone back to therapy because after 6-7 years of trying to deal with anxiety and depression alone I've realized that I'm a terrible doctor and its time to let a professional take over. We also have the phobia that you listed above in common. I don't consider myself to have a severe phobia of it but the mere though of it bothers me and I'm very careful to stay away from people that are sick. If you ever want to talk let me know.