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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by factamala on December 6, 2000, at 21:18:32
help me!
I think that my sister has been cutting herself and I don't know what to do about it. DO you have any suggestions on what to do about it? How do i handle it....what can i look for.....what could be causing it?
Our mother is bipolar, but the story has always been that she "got: that way" from having scarlet fever when she was young and that it is not hereditery. also she is almost 18.....could that have anything to do with it????? I am kinda laying it all on the line...i love my sister and i want to help her even though i live an hour away and i can't be with her all the time. I found out about this from my neighbor.thank you for any help............factamala
Posted by Noa on December 7, 2000, at 16:45:56
In reply to help!!!!!!!!!! I think my sister is cutting hersel, posted by factamala on December 6, 2000, at 21:18:32
At the top of this page is a link to Dr. Bob's book recommendation page. There is a book there called Cutting, by Dr. Levenkron. I read it, and learned a lot about this phenomenon from this book. There is also a book on "self-abuse" by the directors of an organization called "SAFE"--self abuse finally ends. The Canadian chapter has a web site, I'll try to locate it for you. We discussed this not long ago on this board, actually. Judy might have some ideas because we all drowned her in resources!
Posted by judy1 on December 7, 2000, at 18:23:36
In reply to Re: help!!!!!!!!!! I think my sister is cutting hersel, posted by Noa on December 7, 2000, at 16:45:56
Hi,
Noa's right, read the thread I'm still working through all the resources she and the wonderful support people here provided. Anyway, the Cutting book was a great place to start, the SAFE hotline is 1-800-DONT CUT- they have info and there's a program in Illinois (inpatient). But the first thing for me was admitting it to my shrink (well that got obvious when I needed stitches). So, if she's not in therapy she really needs to be. I, too, am bipolar but there are lots of reasons why people cut. For me it involves dissociation and I am getting a neuro workup for that. If she is aware she is doing it then that is her coping style for whatever emotion she is trying to suppress and it's a real unhealthy way to cope. I started younger than her and always hid it- I was deeply ashamed. If I had a big sister, I would want her to force me to get help with a therapist who understands why people self-injure and just be super supportive. If I can help any further, let me know. Take care, Judy
Posted by stjames on December 7, 2000, at 18:30:35
In reply to help!!!!!!!!!! I think my sister is cutting hersel, posted by factamala on December 6, 2000, at 21:18:32
If at all possible, enlist your family in getting her help. You do not have to deal with this on your own.
james
Posted by factamala on December 7, 2000, at 21:10:14
In reply to Re: help!!!!!!!!!! I think my sister is cutting hersel, posted by stjames on December 7, 2000, at 18:30:35
thank you all for the advice you have already given me, and judy i am her brother (it is cool i didn't make it clear). well as for the family thing my dad doesn't know and would not know how to handle it except to tell her to get over it and our mom is 3000 miles away and wouldn't care. so i am really kinda am alone on this, and my neighbor is her friends mom and she acts like our mom too since we don't have one around. so i will try to look at the book, and do you think she should really go to therapy, or only if it continues? thank you again for the advice i have felt alone since i have not gotten anything from anyone.
factamala
Posted by judy1 on December 8, 2000, at 4:01:09
In reply to Re: help!!!!!!!!!! I think my sister is cutting hersel, posted by factamala on December 7, 2000, at 21:10:14
Actually that is cool that you're her big brother- and I love your concern. Yes I still think she still should get therapy- while for me it was dormant for a while in periods of high stress I still go right back to it. And with me not knowing I am cutting, the damage has gotten more serious. She just needs to learn healthy coping skills- and that takes professional help. Take care, Judy
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