Recent Posts

21

Research Topics / Re: Exploring Young Adults' Experiences of Peer Support Networks

« Last post by CL on May 28, 2024, 10:08:47 AM »

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much to those of you who have participated so far.

If anyone would be willing to be interviewed about their experiences with peer support, we would love to hear from you.

Our projects are all about exploring lived experience, and the best way to understand this is hearing your voices and your words, which is why we would like to do some interviews. These would be online.

You can get in touch with myself and/or Sophie via email ([email protected] or [email protected]) if you want to chat further about it.

If you'd prefer to participate through the questionnaire, the link is as above (https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5nxMne950xj2Kpg).
Please do write as much as you like, and click all the way through to the questions and submitting your words after you've completed the consent form if you want to participate.

Thanks again to everyone who's shared their experiences so far - they are greatly appreciated!

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

« Last post by Axia on May 22, 2024, 04:51:42 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.

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

« Last post by selfharm_and_identity on May 14, 2024, 01:23:28 PM »

Only comment I have is to agree with Vermilion whole heartedly.

Thanks Purplebutterfly!

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

« Last post by selfharm_and_identity on May 14, 2024, 01:21:10 PM »

I've personally never come across any users here that would feel like self harm is linked in any way to their identity. Users here, it seems to me, are generally trying to stop self harm, or at least minimise it, and are seeking support from others who are struggling with it. That's really all it is, it's simply peer support. In fact, I've talked to a few people who dislike terms such as 'self harmer' because it implies that its a part of who we are rather than just something we do to cope with whatever the underlying issues are. Many prefer phrasing along the lines of 'person who self harms' rather than a term like 'self harmer'.

I can imagine that some people may see it as part of their identity, but they'd probably join a pro self harm community whereas this forum is pro recovery. This is just speculation though, I have never used a pro self harm forum, but have stumbled upon them from time to time. They probably still exist somewhere but I have no interest in joining one.

Really useful. I'll be sure to use something like "person who self harms" rather than "self harmer" if the study does go ahead.

Also really useful about the distinction between pro self-harm communities and pro recovery. I have read quite a bit about pro self-harm communities and that was part of what formed the basis of this study, but like you I have never personally used one. I think a lot of social media sites are trying to crack down on them due to increasing awareness of "online harms". But it seems like it could be useful to speak to some people who are part of these communities too to get their perspective.

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

« Last post by purplebutterfly on May 14, 2024, 01:19:44 PM »

Only comment I have is to agree with Vermilion whole heartedly.

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

« Last post by selfharm_and_identity on May 14, 2024, 01:13:21 PM »

Using this forum has help me since i started to self harm last yr and if wasnt for my support worker recommending this forum i wouldnt been able to connect with other poeple in a safe way and i never knew that other people self harmed and i thouht i was alone.

That's really great to hear. I guess that must be one of the most valuable aspects of having a community like this! I wonder if there's anyone else here that would also speak to this?

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Vermilion on May 12, 2024, 05:25:48 PM »

Writing is a good idea, I'm not sure if they'd let me though. I'm not sure that this is really a job for CMHT anyway, this is probably just life being stressful rather than actual mental illness. 

I had the hospital appointment yesterday (Saturday) and it was... Well... I can't think of a word. Maybe if I describe it... 



I went into the changing room to put the gown on. The changing rooms are just opposite the treatment room.

I'm already terrified, struggling to hold back tears. I start getting changed...

I can hear the patient before me crying out, probably having the same thing as me. It tips me over, I started to cry because I knew that I was going to be crying out in agony too.

The nurse called me in, by now I was shaking so much I could barely stand up. All while trying to keep covered up with a backless hospital gown on, with no pants on.

I sit in a normal chair while the doctor explains what's going to happen. I dutifully get in that chair with the foot rests that slide over and expose everything.

The nurse gives me some gas and air (the same stuff used for women in labour) which helps with the anxiety somewhat.

The doctor then starts prodding around, as doctors do. She then dabs that horrible stinging solution on my vulva. Similar PH to vinegar, apparently.

It stings and burns, the gas and air not doing much for the pain. Due to the Lichen sclerosus my skin is fag paper thin so it bleeds a bit, as it usually does.

That solution has revealed some skin changes so the doctor tells me that I need a biopsy again.

I start to panic again, trying to get out of the chair. I'm hyperventilating while a bit dizzy and confused from the gas and air. The nurse has to hold me still while they lower the chair, which was the right thing to do since the chair is raised up very high and I probably would have hurt myself if I fell off. 

They let me get dressed again, so I get dressed and come back in to speak to the doctor before I leave. She's decided that I'm too anxious to have a biopsy while conscious again (you don't say!). So, we agree that I'll have it done under general anaesthetic. She wants to look 'inside and out' and she'll do everything that's needed while I'm knocked out.

Nothing to do now but wait. I'm still very sore and probably will be for a few days. I'm having these... I don't know... intrusive memories I guess? I'm remembering yesterday, remembering past biopsies and the agony that they are. I have bouts of intense anxiety and start shaking again.

In a way, I know that self harm would lessen the intensity of this, make it manageable at least. But I don't want to self harm  . 

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

« Last post by Vermilion on May 12, 2024, 04:31:27 PM »

Would you say on your time on this forum that you've met people whose identity was linked to self-harm? Is this a recognisable phenomenon do you think, or not really?

Best wishes,
Guan

I've personally never come across any users here that would feel like self harm is linked in any way to their identity. Users here, it seems to me, are generally trying to stop self harm, or at least minimise it, and are seeking support from others who are struggling with it. That's really all it is, it's simply peer support. In fact, I've talked to a few people who dislike terms such as 'self harmer' because it implies that its a part of who we are rather than just something we do to cope with whatever the underlying issues are. Many prefer phrasing along the lines of 'person who self harms' rather than a term like 'self harmer'.

I can imagine that some people may see it as part of their identity, but they'd probably join a pro self harm community whereas this forum is pro recovery. This is just speculation though, I have never used a pro self harm forum, but have stumbled upon them from time to time. They probably still exist somewhere but I have no interest in joining one.

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Survivor Room / Re: Pissed off and fed up.

« Last post by Patient Pianist on May 10, 2024, 08:04:49 PM »

Hi,

Just wanted to say hi and that i'm thinking of you.  i'm sorry things are so hard, but also i wanted to say well done for keeping going, esp with the driving.  You're determination will pay off.
i completely agree with you about everything being on the phone. Is there an admin email or something that you could use to initiate contact? Would it be any easier if they phoned you?

Take care.

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

« Last post by kat45 on May 10, 2024, 07:29:02 PM »

Using this forum has help me since i started to self harm last yr and if wasnt for my support worker recommending this forum i wouldnt been able to connect with other poeple in a safe way and i never knew that other people self harmed and i thouht i was alone.