TeenHealthFX - Answers - I Can't Take Anymore Stress

Cutting / Question
Published: December 18, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I need some urgent help! I am a cutter who is extremly depressed and suicidal because of my current life situation and my as what therapists say "post tramatic stress"! Pleas help everything in my life is going wrong except for my boyfriend. He is there by my side through everything! I have all my friends not trusting me my mom threatening to leave and that I am killing her, my dad and brothers constanly fighting! I mean I love my family but I can't take anymore stress w/o doing something I will deeply regret I already have 3 and 1/2 long cuts on my wrists and arms! Please I need advice!

Signed: I Can't Take Anymore Stress

Dear I Can't Take Anymore Stress,

TeenHealthFX is very concerned about the feelings you have been experiencing. You mention your therapist has indicated that you are suffering from "Post Traumatic Stress" which would signify that you and your family might have suffered some type of misfortune that has impacted you all.

It is extremely important for you to realize that ending your life is a solution that you, your boyfriend or your family cannot afford. Cutting and suicidal ideation is a strong indicator that your depression is having a major impact in your life. TeenHealthFX is curious if you told your therapist about the cuts on your wrists and arms. If you have not it is essential that you do so right away. Cutting (put the word cutting in the search feature on FX and you will see many good responses on the subject) may provide some temporary relief from the stress but it does not last long nor does it deal with the underlying issues and also exposes you to the risk of infection. You also need to let your therapist know exactly how you have been feeling and let him/her know that you need more help. If medication has not been tried this probably would be a good time. There is a biochemical component to depression that sometimes will not respond to therapy alone. There are many good antidepressants available that are safe and effective. If you do not feel like your therapist is accurately tuned into what is going on for you then you may want to consider switching therapists.

Once you get to the point where you are feeling safe you can deal with the family issues. It cannot be easy when your mom threatens to leave because of your behavior. She maybe having difficulty coping with her own emotions and therefore does not have much left over for you. In any case your struggles are not meant to cause her problems and she needs to realize this. Your father and brothers also need to realize how their behavior has been affecting you. The best place to accomplish these tasks is in family therapy. Maybe your therapist could recommend a family therapist or you could ask someone in school or your family doctor for a mental health professional who has experience working in this area.

If at any point you feel you may act on your suicidal thoughts, or are afraid of your impulses, you need to seek help right away. You can call 911 or report to your nearest hospital emergency room for immediate assistance. In northern New Jersey you can call the Crisis Hotline at Morristown Memorial Hospital at 973-540-0100. In that same region you can also get help finding a psychiatrist or therapist by calling the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888-247-1400.

For some additional information about self-injury you can check this link: Self-Abuse Finally Ends (S.A.F.E.). It is important to remember that things can and will get better with the appropriate treatment. Please hang in there.

Signed: TeenHealthFX