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health advisory Hospital Mental Health 2007-11-15 18:59:50

My roommate has cut herself in the past and It seems like she has stopped receintly. Today I came back from class and I noticed that she is cutting again. She is crying while talking to her boyfriend right now and she has so many ups and downs all the time. She really seems like she is two different people. I am pretty good friends with her, and I have confronted her about the cutting, but I don't really know how to act in this situation. She never tells me her problems and she tries to act like everything is ok. I don't know if I should talk to her or leave her alone because she doesn't really act like she wants advice or anyone to help her. I am really worried for her, but I have never dealt with this before so I don't know what would be the best for me to do. What do you think I should do in this situation. I really want to help her, but I don't want to do something wrong.

Thanks.

Answer:

The reason why she doesn't want to tell what's wrong is probably because she has tried to tell people in the past but they didn't listen so she thinks that you wont either. Make her understand that you are there for her and will listen whatever she has to say. She is not doing this as a cry for attention but a cry for help. She feels numb to life and causing self inflicted pain may believe be one of the only ways she can feel alive again.If you think she stops cutting in the future you may be wrong because she may just be hiding the wounds. She may cut her stomach, back, upper arms, legs, and other easily hidden places. She may also burn herself so taking away sharp objects won't do anything but make her more desperate. If she won't go to a psychiatrist be a personal one to her. Ask her to tell you why she feels the urge to cut at moments and while she gets into the story ask some interesting questions that may lead to answers from her past. Have her keep a notebook and make columns in it. On the 1st column have her put what type of injury and where she had the urge to hurt herself at.[leg,arm,burn,cut] 2ND column put what caused her to want to do harm at the moment. For more information and stuff search on youtube.com

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You might want to talk to her about getting some professional help. Many people cut, and it is at times a symptom of Borderline Personality Disorder, which your friend might have. If she is unwilling to get help for herself, and you feel she is in danger of doing some serious harm to herself, you can contact emergency services and see if they can help you out. (Your local mental health agency or such)