Recent Posts

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Research Topics / Survey [16-21, UK]: Attachment, Emotion Regulation, Functions Of Self-Harm

« Last post by Michael_Y_Research on September 30, 2024, 03:36:10 PM »

Hi everyone. My name is Michael and I am a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Trainee at University of Edinburgh. I am currently conducting some research into self-harm and any responses would be greatly appreciated.

This is a repost as unfortunately my last link was targetted by bots - many thanks to all of you who were able to complete the survey so far, please know that your results will still be included in the final analysis! Unfortunately due to the risk of being targetted by bots again I am unable to offer any financial incentives for taking part, however your results will hopefully help us to better understand self-harm and how we can help.

This is an online mental health survey for anyone aged 16 to 21 years old and living in the UK.
It takes about 20-40 minutes to complete.The survey asks questions about your wellbeing, how you experience close relationships, and how you manage emotions. It also asks whether you self-harm and if so, your reasons for this. Your answers are anonymous.

For more information and to take part:
www.tinyurl.com/AttachmentAndSelfHarmSurvey

It is important to me that people who take part in research get to know happens afterwards and I will post a summary of the results around May 2025 when the survey closes and would be happy to answer any questions people may have!

Many thanks
Michael

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Research Topics / Designing a better self-harm assessment tool with and for autistic adults

« Last post by victorianewell on September 05, 2024, 11:27:04 AM »

Hi everyone,

I am a final year PhD student at the University of Nottingham and I have been developing a new self-harm assessment tool with and for autistic adults. I am recruiting participants for an online survey to find out how well the new tool performs so it can be used in future research to understand and develop support for autistic people who self-harm.

You can take part in this study if:
•   You are an autistic adult (diagnosed or self-identifying), aged 18 years old and over
•   You have lived experience of self-harm and/or self-injury
•   You live in the UK

The research involves completing an online survey about yourself (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity), autistic traits, mental health and self-harm. This will take approximately 60 minutes to complete. You can also choose to complete a small section of the survey again in two weeks. This will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

For more information or to take part, follow the link below:

https://nottinghampsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9otzSRQzTyJsyou

If you have any questions, please contact the lead researcher (Victoria Newell) at [email protected]

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Survivor Room / CBT-I for sleep issues

« Last post by Gerard on September 01, 2024, 02:43:58 PM »

CBT for insomnia. Anyone done it? I've downloaded a few podcasts on it, won't get time to watch webinars at the moment.

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Rob on June 15, 2024, 12:58:34 PM »

I hear where you’re coming from, and you’ve described exactly what happens when that wall of hurdles towers in front of you. But each time one of those hurdles passes that wall has a gaping hole in it and you see your way through. You don’t have to conquer every obstacle - some you have to accommodate, but you have moved so far forward and I think you’ve got more of an understanding of yourself in the process.

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Vermilion on June 14, 2024, 11:52:45 PM »

The trouble with the slow progress is the sheer cost of the lessons, as much as the fact that I get so frustrated with myself. I'm learning in an automatic, which is difficult enough for me that I know that a manual would be impossible for me.

It's taking a huge toll on me mentally, I've been on the brink of harming myself a few times. Perhaps I'm a bit emotionally vulnerable with other things that are going on, especially the medical things. It's been weeks, maybe months, since I last felt completely relaxed.

It's really hard not to see those huge hurdles in front of me because they do seem to overshadow the other things that have improved. It's easy to get caught up in the difficulties and forget how much things have improved, especially when my energy levels are so low.   

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Rob on June 14, 2024, 07:34:44 PM »

Never a point.

A person can be academically brilliant whilst developing skills for regular activities such as cooking and driving a real struggle. Keep up with it though, don’t make it harder for yourself by getting frustrated and impatient - if it takes time that’s something you have to take. I found driving’ clicked’ at one point and became almost reflex. Are you doing manual or automatic?
You sound a bit overall pessimistic. You might not feel it but you’ve considerably improved in many aspects over the past few years. Give yourself some credit and stop just seeing hurdles

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Vermilion on June 14, 2024, 11:20:02 AM »

I'm physically and mentally exhausted. There must be a point where it's OK to give up?  :'(

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Survivor Room / Re: If there was a cure for autism...

« Last post by Vermilion on June 13, 2024, 02:08:12 PM »

I've been shutting down over the past few weeks and I hate myself for it. I can barely function and literally beat myself up in anger and self loathing. I can't really do anything, which doesn't help when things just keep piling up.

Rabbit cages need cleaning
Dishes piled in the sink
Floor needs hoovering/mopping
Dust accumulating on windowsills/shelves etc
Clothes still in the washing machine
Grass is so overgrown I need a Rambo tool to cut through it
Etc etc etc...

I should make a start but I can't for some reason. So it just gets more and more overwhelming. 

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Vermilion on June 13, 2024, 01:54:42 PM »

So, here I am seemingly unable to do much of anything. I should've gone on that course (separate from uni) but, despite waking up with plenty of time to spare, I didn't get to. I just sat there seemingly unable to move. I've been doing this for a few weeks, to the point where people are actually noticing. I keep saying that it's a cold, which is somewhat true since I had one last week, but it's not really a huge part of what's going on. I just feel like I'm shutting down, like I just can't do anything anymore.

I'm still doing the driving lessons but my progress is frustratingly slow, it could take 2 years+ quite easily. Though I'll run out of money by then anyway. I might just finish the lessons that I've paid for and just quit them afterwards.  I hate it because I know that my chances of getting back to work are basically zero if I can't drive  Oh, I can get really good marks in uni modules but can't b***** drive! I hate my brain. 

I went for the pre-assessment appointment at the local hospital yesterday and I've been given the go ahead to have a general anaesthetic.    If I wasn't such a pussy (bah dum pssh) I could've had this done weeks ago. Oh well.
 
Somewhat related is that I've had severe symptoms again, whether it was thrush or the Lichen sclerosus is unknown, even the doctors can't figure it out when this happens. I didn't bother with GP, ringing 200+ times and then explaining to the receptionist before i even get to a GP just requires energy that I don't have. I just did both treatments and hoped that something would work; 3 tablets for the thrush and steroid ointment twice a day. The symptoms seem to have eased, lats weekend my skin was bleeding and sex was impossible, (hopefully make up for that this week end.. 😏) I'm going to have this condition for the rest of my life so I've just got to get used to it. I just wish that there was some sort of long term management for it, a clinic or something but there isn't. GPs do their best but this requires someone more specialised.

 

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Research Topics / Re: Looking for consultation on self-harm and Social Identity

« Last post by selfharm_and_identity on June 11, 2024, 04:53:28 PM »

Hi, I'm just kind of echoing so I'm sorry if this is pointless. I used to be called 'a self harmer' and I got so used to it that I felt like it was my identity but I didn't like it because I feel I am more. I did alot to get away from this 'identity' such as keeping my cuts and scars covered at all times because if I don't people tend to talk to my arms and really trying my best to keep control of myself when in public. Then once in hospital a nurse asked me how long I'd been 'self mutilating' for! I was really angry at this nurse and this 'term' but I realised that I'm probably not going to get away from this, because of my history, because of my scars, because of my hospital notes, so now I am more honest with people but I don't call myself a self harmer, I don't ever like to meet people for the first time with my scars showing due to problems I mentioned earlier, I like to meet people so I can talk to them first about other things, things that I like, things I don't like it, things I'm good at and good exciting things I've done in the past, none of which includes my self harm because that's not me, that's just a part of me because of my illnesses and experiences.

I like it here because it's supportive and I don't consider anyone here a 'self harmer'. I consider them people who like me have been through bad things and for whatever reason has found self harm a coping strategy. I know how difficult and isolating life can be especially for people who self harm and I have experience of that and I like to try and help people to get through it if I can.

Everyone here is so much more and has so much more to give. I don't know anyone here in real life but I consider them friends.

Hi Axia,

Sorry for the late reply - I haven't had a chance to check this forum for a while. Thanks so much for sharing this - it wasn't pointless at all. In fact, I actually found it really thought-provoking and powerful to read. It sounds like in the past the fact that you self-harmed was indeed part of your identity, but one that you felt conflicted about and which you wanted to hide. Over time you have hidden this less, but it has also become a less "central" part of your identity and you prefer to focus and connect with others regarding other things, such as your hobbies and interests.

It sounds like you do consider the people here supportive and similar to yourself in some ways. But you wouldn't give them the label of "self-harmer" because, like yourself, they are much more to them than that. Rather, you'd consider them friends who have had some similar experiences. I found that a really moving note to end on! Thanks again for sharing