Discussion How do you cope with impulsive thoughts?

[HollowDrop]

Specifically impulsive thoughts about harming yourself. Do you have ways that help you snap out of them or distract yourself until it passes?

I sometimes get impulsive thoughts about hurting myself with knives, imagining grabbing them and shanking them into a part of my body. I'm sensitive to physical pain though so I haven't acted out on those thoughts yet aside from cutting my wrist/arm. I don't have real ways to stop myself most of the time, I'm curious to hear other people's experiences and if you are able to fight similar self harm thoughts and urges.

 

[Enlighten]

I have those thoughts mostly really late at night. What i like to do is just literally sprint around the neighbourhood until i literally can't and i almost have to puke. That gives a rush of adrenaline and distracts me from the thoughts.

 

[HerLastWords]

I have some ways of dealing with it. The first one doesn't work very well but I can't help myself, I don't recommend it tho. That is basically hitting some part of my body, arm, leg, etc. The other way is closing my eyes and count numbers until I'm calmed down, I also go and eat a snack to distract myself while listening to music.

 

[DeadHead]

I highly recommend you check out the work of jerry marzinsky. He has decades of experience helping people with invasive thoughts and voices.

 

[LivingANDDying26]

Honestly these days I just sit with em. I tell myself they are just thoughts and thoughts don't/ don't have to equal action.

I try to just... not move as much as I can but that might also just be a trauma response keeping me from moving. Im not 100% sure.

Otherwise ig for me these thoughts don't feel that worth acting on in the sense of if rather CTB if ima even bother self harming.... so ig a kinda way of rationalizing?

Next is watchin vids on YouTube or reading to distract.

Most of this probs wasn't helpful srry.

 

[MelancholyDolly]

I often get impulsive thoughts like that throughout the day, so I counter it by trying to do something even more impulsive. I'll just straight up leave with no explanation and not come back until I feel like I've cooled down. Screaming, or breaking things works for me to, it's really weird but I'm okay with being seen as a little nuts as long as I feel okay.

 

[cryvinglightning]

usually i cut, lol. and if i can't for any reason i'll just write them down in my notes app.