Self-Harm and the Emotional Roller-Coaster

Every human struggles with emotions – plain and simple. These emotions can range from love and lust to fear and sadness. Sometimes, with the snap of a finger, emotions can dramatically change. It’s sad that when people start acting depressed or anxious or paranoid they automatically start throwing labels, saying so-and-so is “acting bipolar” or “must have schizophrenia”.

To everyone who throws around labels like this – think before you say because, believe me, it hurts.

For self-harmers, emotional rollercoasters are part of daily life. However, these emotions tend to be more negative than positive. During the lowest of low times, self-harmers tend to experience scary emotions of fear, anxiety, depression and helplessness. They turn to the negative coping skills of cutting, burning or picking their skin to hopefully release these feelings.

The thing is, using self-harm as a coping skill will not help make those negative feelings disappear for the long term.

Negative Emotions Sure Are Scary

I remember how scared I was when I started feeling my emotions drastically change. One moment, I’d be content and happy. The next, something would irritate me – such as a bad grade or my parents fighting. That irritation would turn into deep depression or hopelessness.

As self-harmers know, cutting often roots from these emotions.

In my past, I didn’t know how to handle these emotions and they scared me so much that cutting was the only way to calm me down. After I’d make a small mark, I could feel those negative emotions slip away for a little bit. However, the key word is little bit because after some time, those negative emotions will return because, well, we’re human.

Many individuals with bipolar disorder have difficulty controlling their emotions as they jump up and down constantly. However, when those with mood disorders seek help from therapists or psychiatrists, they work on techniques that help them try to manage these bouncing emotions such as “square breathing” or relaxation skills.

And yes, I’ve used these techniques numerous times.

The Roller-Coaster Ride Never Ends

It’s officially up to us to find ways to secure these negative emotions when they take total control of our bodies. Whether you have a mental illness or not, you struggle with both positive and negative emotions. Some self-harmers tend to wear their emotions on their sleeves – literally. It’s time to find ways to not mark up your body with how you feel, but to talk about it, write about, sing about it or work-out about it.

I don’t know if any of that made sense, but to put it simply – use those coping skills. You know you have them and don’t let your emotions take control of them.

You’re stronger than that and you know it.