prevention before cutting

[worriedmomintexas]

Our daughter has been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and we just learned she has been burning herself. She just recently told me she thinks about cutting herself.  She is in therepy and is on medication.  What can i do?

[lindahand]

If you don't already some specific therapy may help. I don't cut but I have friends who do. I've dug my nails into my skin so hard it bruised. For me it was that physical pain was better than emotional pain. The endorphines released helped me 'cope'. When I substituted better coping skills I didn't do that as much. I still do it in highly stressful situations though.

I would also talk with her psychiatrist and ask him what to do when she cuts. I know one thing for sure - freaking out about it will make it worse as will making her feel guilty for doing it. Asking 'how can I help you right now?' is a good place to start. She may say there is nothing you can do, but just in asking her it lets her know she is not alone in this.

[run4you]

Cutting and burning are just self-injurous behaviors. SIB. They're not a part of borderline personality disorder, they're kind of off on their own. I assume they *can* exist with BPD, I have bipolar and have SIB (and my pdoc laughed at me when I asked if the BP on my chart was for bipolar or borderline personality disorder, she said she is absolutely certain BPD is not an issue with me), I know people with depression that have SIB. It's its own diagnosis, separate from anything else... like I have OCD and bipolar... OCD can exist with anything as well.

From what I understand, it's the rush of chemicals that come with SIB that your brain craves. There's a short of the endorphins or dopamine or something (this discussion was a while back) and when you self-injure, you get that balance and calm down.

I for sure agree you should talk to her dr if you haven't as well...

[Athena_M]

I agree with the above post to keep calm and peace in the home.  
From talking with someone who did cutting, it usually occurs because the person can't handle intense situations like family arguements.  
If she harms herself she needs to go into the hospital.  Call her doctor and let them know what is happening.  

[Seph1212]

As more of a semantic issue...isn't cutting and burning more indicative of Borderline Personality rather than Bipolar...not that she couldn't have both.

[run4you]

I have issues with SIB.

I had one great pdoc who suggested I keep a bucket around, fill it up with tons of ice and top it with water and dunk my hands in for as long as I could when I wanted to hurt myself. There are times when you can't catch it, but you learn what it feels like leading up to it... and you can head off any injury by using the bucket.

You can't really hurt yourself with the ice water, but you get the rush of endorphins that comes with injuring yourself.

Also, I'm sure you realize this, but just in case... self-harm and cutting is not the same as wanting to kill yourself. Totally different.

Good luck.

[John_jb1]

Hello,

You can have a conversation with the therapist and ask him/her what they personally feel would be benefitial for you to do.
But the best thing a mother can do with a child with Bipolar, is simply put up with their frequent mood swings and strange behaviour, still using discipline, but as correctly as possible, no heated arguements, arguing infront of the child, etc.

When it comes to self harming, the best tactic I would do, is to NEVER tell them off for doing it, don't ever act surprised about it, seem accepting, and of course don't over react... These things always make things worse.
But when you notice she has self harmed, you should sit her down calmly and talk about it; ask her why she does it, how she feels about it etc.
If she runs off during the conversation, don't run after her, let her go somewhere else and wait for her to calm down, then go in her room (or where ever she went) and sit next to her, and comfort her, then try again... Of course never raising your voice, you are not punishing her for doing this, but helping her through it.

I hope I have somewhat helped;

Cheers,

- John -