Ever since my parents found out that I cut myself, they haven’t let up on me at all. I am tired of them suffocating me and treating me like some kind of freak. I haven’t cut lately but that doesn’t stop them from hovering around me. If it’s not them, it’s my siblings. Every time I go off to my room alone, five minutes in and they are coming in to check on me. I have trouble sleeping and so I took some medicine but I overestimated how much to take and wound falling into a deep sleep. My parents freaked out and because of that, I am not in charge of my allowance anymore, my older brother is. It makes me angry at them for treating me this way. No matter how I try to plead my case and to get them to understand me, they won’t listen. If I go just one hair out of line, they ground me or lecture me. Because of their behavior, I’m relapsing. I started cutting again and now that’s not enough. I feel frustrated and alone. No one understands me and I am at a loss for what to do. I just want them to treat me like they used to. I used to talk to my mom about everything and now, she’s just like my dad. Even though I’m a boy, I was very close to my mom but not anymore. Nothing makes me happy and I just want my parents to leave me alone. Living at home is suffocating and I am contemplating running away. Why can’t I be treated like a normal teenager?
Consider This:
- Thank you for writing your story on TeenCentral.com. You have made tremendous progress on your goal of not cutting. Great job! Although you have recently relapsed back into your old cutting behaviors, you can make a better choice starting today.
- It is understandable that you are feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by your parents and family members. Please know that they do this because they love you and want you to be safe and successful. They probably do not realize that you are feeling more stressed due to their attention. Try to think about ways they could show their concern without being overwhelming to you. Communicate your feelings and needs and make sure you are talking to a professional to help you work through your emotions.
- It is helpful to have a tool box of coping skills to implement when you begin to feel like you want to self harm. Pick something you enjoy like writing, singing, doing a physical activity, going for a walk, or writing in your journal. If one activity does not work, try to talk to someone about it, or try another activity. Distracting you from the thought of cutting and the action of cutting is very effective and eventually you will use these more positive coping skills when stressed.
Help Yourself:
- Make a list of activities you can do when you are feeling stressed and try one when you need to.
- Ask your parents about seeking a counselor to discuss how to manage your emotions.
- Join a support group where you can relate to others and gain helpful support.
