dc_maintainer

SI survey

Sun, 17 Jul 2005 01:51:03 GMT

On my computer, I have a password-protected folder where I save filled-out surveys. It can be really helpful to keep the things you wrote when you were feeling bad and go back to them when you are clearer. These questions not only help you to figure out if you truly need to cut right now, they allow you to analyse patterns in your injury. If you can't make a folder on your computer, send the finished survey to yourself.

The ideas are the bottom are ideas that I use. It might bea good idea to save a copy of this with ideas that work for you.

---

Date:
Time:

Rules: Use descriptive words. Explain, draw parallels, think, and be honest. You must attempt at least one alternative before harming yourself. You may not simply choose the easiest one. You must wait at least fifteen minutes after filling this out to harm.

Why do I feel I need to hurt myself? What has brought me to this point?

Have I been here before? What did I do to deal with it? How did I feel then?

What I have done to ease this discomfort so far? What else can I do that won't hurt me?

How do I feel right now?

How will I feel when I am hurting myself?

How will I feel after hurting myself? How will I feel tomorrow morning?

Are there more positive ways to get the feeling I want?

Can I avoid this stressor, or deal with it better in the future?

Do I need to hurt myself?

If so, I will not do more than

Ideas: excuse yourself from whatever is triggering you; call, IM, or text message someone who can help you or help distract you; do the fifteen minute game; concentrate on what you can feel; breathe deeply and slowly, holding your breath until it hurts and letting it go slowly. Imagine inhaling new, clean air, and exhaling your problems. Imagine a balloon inflating in your stomach. Scream silently, or into a pillow; cry; allow yourself a five minute freak-out if you don’t have the ability to deal with this right now, but know that you have to deal with it soon; take pictures; fill out two pages of favourite things; have a shower; be around animals; read something that requires your attention; sew or knit; count prime numbers or patterns; talk in a false accent; use sign language to explain what you are feeling; floss; take some time to hang out inside of your head. Or outside of it.

Burning, first-aid and care

Sun, 12 Sep 2004 22:25:46 GMT

first aid

You just burnt and you realise you don't know how to tend to this type of wound. It's okay that you slipped up, but now it's important that you take care of your burns and stay on top of them. Here it is:

1.Straightaway, run cool (not freezing cold) water over your wounds. If your burn(s) are in a place that you can't comfortably bathe in the sink, get in the shower (if you can't get your pants/shirt/whatever over the wound, forget about it. This is first aid for a reason and it's important that you do this immediately. You can dry off later), but don't let the spray hit your burn directly That will hurt! Instead, use a cup/your hands to catch the water and poor on the skin around your wound so that the water runs over the burn. Do this for 10-15 minutes. NEVER APPLY ICE.
2.

Care

You burnt last night and you're not sure how you're supposed to be caring for your burns.

1. Keep your burns uncovered as much as you can. If it's in a place that you won't be laying/sitting directly on, and there is nothing about the wound that makes you say instinctively "this needs to be protected" (it's blisters are breaking and it's pussing, or the skin is peeling and keeps snagging on stuff) be sure to leave it uncovered so it can breathe a little. Otherwise, keep it lightly covered with gauze. This does not mean "wrap it tightly with toilet paper"!
2. When you shower, shield your burn. Steam hurts like a mofo, and heat and pressure will only inflame it.
3. Leave your blisters alone.
4. Lightly cover your burn with anti-biotic a few times a day, especially if any blisters have popped. This will help to keep both peeling and scarring under control.
(Previous covers first-degree burns, which is what you have most likely have. You should also see this page: http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?id=1782 for info about different kinds of burns and more on caring for them. Also see http://palace.net/~llama/psych/firstaid.html)

Last? Please don't burn. I don't mean to advocate any form of injury, but burning is just bad news. It's hard to take care of and often gets infected, but more than that, it's just really dangerous. You're literally cooking your nerve endings when you burn-- that's why it hurts so much. Do it too often and you could cause permanent nerve damage.

Future

If, in the future, you crave the feeling of a burn, try holding ice on the area you want to burn. It feels a lot like a burn, and leaves a big red mark, but isn't as bad as burning (as long as you, you know, don't give yourself frostbite, but that's a whole 'nother informational session, with new links).

As always, if you start running a fever, it suddenly hurts a whole lot more, or red rings appear around it, it's time to swallow your fear and pride and see a doctor. If you're over eighteen, you should see this: http://palace.net/~llama/psych/er.html and http://palace.net/~llama/psych/erform.html

I'm really sorry that's so long, but I do hope you at least skimmed it.

Stay safe tonight.

lisa.
Maintainer.

dc_maintainer

SI survey

Burning, first-aid and care

First aid

Care

Future