Friday, May 28, 2010

Stabbing is Bad

Stabbing is bad. It just is. If you have to pick between cutting, hitting, and stabbing, don't pick stabbing.

Unless you're trying to kill someone, in which case I think stabbing would be pretty good. And satisfying. I'm surprised more murderers don't pick stabbing.

I'm having anxiety issues. And impulse control issues. And stabbing issues. Well, that last one is really a function of the other two, but it's an issue nonetheless.

I've always been attracted to stabbing. I think that's because when you start wielding a blade with force, you can't change your mind. And it's so easy to did deep. And draw a lot of blood.

And as I considered stabbing, I also thought it had the advantage of leaving a minimal scar. You cut down, not across.

This turns out not to be the case. Stabbing doesn't produce a large incision, but the one it does produce tends to gape and cause more scarring than you think. Just trust me. Don't try it.

And so, as much as I like the force, and blood, and bruising associated with stabbing, I've really written it off as a self-harm method. Death method, probably decent, self-harm, not so much.

But as I've said, I've been having issues.

For whatever reason, for whatever cocktail, for whatever brain misfire, I seem to be turning in super-anxious-suicide-girl at night. Like, way more than usual. And on top of that there seems to be a real lack of impulse control on my part, last notably seen with the cutting of my wrist with broken glass.

And so I had been hitting myself with a blunt object, went into the kitchen to cut up a yellow pepper, and then as I was removing the core I thought to myself, I wonder what it would be like if I hit myself with this knife. And then I just did. And then there was a lot of blood. I was standing next to the sink so I just tried to keep standing while the blood went down the drain.

It just kind of, happened. Like stubbing your toe. An accident.

And it's fine. My arm is fine. There does seem to be some nerve damage going into my thumb, but it seems minor and may get better, I don't know. This isn't really my area of expertise.

And I don't know. It's a scary thing. To do something, without intention. One of the problems is I really don't care if I die. I mean, like, really don't care. I'm so over it's unbelievable. So when something pops into my head, whatever filter I did have doesn't exist. So I just do it.

And then there's the drinking. Crazy people shouldn't drink. Crazy people on meds really shouldn't drink. Crazy people on meds and tranquilizers really, really shouldn't drink. But I feel so irreparably horrifically self-loathing and suicidal that I couldn't care less that it's a bad idea. I'll take any idea at all that would mask the pain. Even a little.

Sigh. All roads lead to scar tissue.

Again, try not to worry, OK? You're scared, I know. I am too. But there's nothing you can do. There's nothing I can do. I'm suppose to see my GP on Monday and maybe she'll be able to get me in to see a psychiatrist. Of course the psychiatrist won't have any answers so it's a bit moot. More moot than usual. Ultra-moot. Now with more brightening power.

11 comments:

  1. I understand. At least, mostly. Im a crazy person on meds who drinks and cuts. "You won't want those scars for the rest of your life."

    "I'm gonna be scarred for the rest of my life, anyway."

    Really, who cares? I get that. Scars arent a big deal to me. And i have never cut deep enough, but i wouldnt care about death either. Impulse is something we can't fight. Or we just don't.

    Just try switching methods if the stabbing bothers you. like i said, i cut, its very satisfying for me

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  2. WOW. I really don't know what to say. I am thinking if it were me I would not be waiting for Monday...you sound like you are in crisis.

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  3. Ana Marie,

    I'm getting the impression you come down on the pro-cutting side of things. That, of course, is your prerogative, but I recommend you reconsider that stance.

    Self-harm is not healthy for your body or mind. There are far better ways to handle the stress you're feeling that drives you, and me, to that behavior.

    I write about these topics as a way to get inside part of my brain, a very sick part. The bipolar part. Please don't mistake this as an endorsement of this behavior.

    Ana Marie, it isn't about scarring, or even medical risk, it's about beating back a disease that forces me into this corner.

    I know that the people who love you would rather not see your blood spilled. They care about you. You might consider that.

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  4. Hi Donda,

    I understand your perspective. The stabbing was a few days ago, and I've been safe since, if that makes you feel any better.

    Yes, I would say I'm in crisis. There just isn't much to do about it.

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  5. I understand. I live in a state where healthcare sucks whether you have insurance or not. I was once told when I was in crisis by an ER staffer that unless I have attempted to commit suicide that there was nothing that the hospital could do for me. I am thinking that even if you get a friend to stay with you and occupy you until you can see a dr on Monday that is doing something.

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  6. Hi Donda,

    Sigh. I wish I had friends like that.

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  7. i've been there, that thought that, hey, it would be so easy to just do this or that and see what happens.. it's not necessarily an intention, but then it just happens and, well, it's too late to take it back.. just know that your words here are an encouragement, even when they're sometimes tragic, because it helps some of us know we're not alone..

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  8. Hi tiedye - you aren't alone. Of that I am sure.

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  10. OK Anon, this is my playground and you have to play nicely with others.

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  11. I agree with you there on stabbing. I mostly bite myself on the arm, mostly so I won't hurt someone else when I get agitated. I once punched myself twice in the head. It hurt so bad, I decided it wasn't worth doing again.
    Sometimes we have to learn the hard way about self injury. Could you just take some sleeping pills and knock yourself out when you get in the mood to hurt yourself?

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. Remember though, be nice. This is my playground and I will give you a time out if you don't play well with others.