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Tw // self harm
We need to talk about non-traditional forms of sh, especially those that utilise chronic illness or disability as a mechanism of self harm
A thread
We need to talk about non-traditional forms of sh, especially those that utilise chronic illness or disability as a mechanism of self harm
A thread
Tw // self harm
I haven’t cut in years. And for a long, long, time, I thought that meant I was self harm-free. But...that’s not true. I just filled the urge with other forms.
I haven’t cut in years. And for a long, long, time, I thought that meant I was self harm-free. But...that’s not true. I just filled the urge with other forms.
Tw // self harm
When I was younger, it was using less or even no padding in my pointe shoes. As I got older and by body deteriorated, it evolved to sitting in ways I knew would be painful, standing for longer than was safe or comfortable, not using my cane when I needed to.
When I was younger, it was using less or even no padding in my pointe shoes. As I got older and by body deteriorated, it evolved to sitting in ways I knew would be painful, standing for longer than was safe or comfortable, not using my cane when I needed to.
Tw // self harm
Some of these were instant — sitting in a way that was painful, for instance, was pretty instant. Others were longer term — eating something to trigger my MCAS would take a day to fully gain effect, and a week to lose momentum.
Some of these were instant — sitting in a way that was painful, for instance, was pretty instant. Others were longer term — eating something to trigger my MCAS would take a day to fully gain effect, and a week to lose momentum.
Tw// self harm
But even the methods that were intended to be “instant” and “short term” had long term impacts. Standing too long, for example, would cause worse pain throughout my whole body the next day, and could last a few days. It would cause me actually physical harm.
But even the methods that were intended to be “instant” and “short term” had long term impacts. Standing too long, for example, would cause worse pain throughout my whole body the next day, and could last a few days. It would cause me actually physical harm.
Tw // self harm, blood
These methods not only cause harm and damage to an already struggling body, but have also had further reaching impacts — passing out, hitting my head, waking up in a pool of blood with a concussion and needing stitches is one big example.
These methods not only cause harm and damage to an already struggling body, but have also had further reaching impacts — passing out, hitting my head, waking up in a pool of blood with a concussion and needing stitches is one big example.
Tw // self harm
But when I mentioned it to people, they told me it “want a form of self harm”. The intent didn’t matter to them, the fact that is physically harmed me and caused pain didn’t matter, the accidental consequences like that didn’t matter.
But when I mentioned it to people, they told me it “want a form of self harm”. The intent didn’t matter to them, the fact that is physically harmed me and caused pain didn’t matter, the accidental consequences like that didn’t matter.
Tw // self harm
They said it “didn’t count” because I wasn’t cutting, burning, wasn’t doing anything “visible”, and besides, my body did those things anyway. It didn’t matter that I was MAKING it happen worse, on purpose.
They said it “didn’t count” because I wasn’t cutting, burning, wasn’t doing anything “visible”, and besides, my body did those things anyway. It didn’t matter that I was MAKING it happen worse, on purpose.
Tw // self harm, blood
It didn’t matter that I was cleaning pools and splatters of blood off my floor and walls, the stitches, the medical bills, let alone the intent and the intended pain, because “standing too long” wasn’t a form of self harm, they said.
It didn’t matter that I was cleaning pools and splatters of blood off my floor and walls, the stitches, the medical bills, let alone the intent and the intended pain, because “standing too long” wasn’t a form of self harm, they said.
Tw // self harm
*They were wrong.*
It WAS self harm, and it took me far too long to realise and even longer to accept.
I hadn’t cut in years, but I had sated the urge in other ways.
*They were wrong.*
It WAS self harm, and it took me far too long to realise and even longer to accept.
I hadn’t cut in years, but I had sated the urge in other ways.
Tw // self harm
Cutting is not the only form of self harm, self harm does not need to be visible, and physical disability opens doors to forms of self harm that are incredibly harmful and dangerous, but that get ignored and discounted because people don’t understand firsthand.
Cutting is not the only form of self harm, self harm does not need to be visible, and physical disability opens doors to forms of self harm that are incredibly harmful and dangerous, but that get ignored and discounted because people don’t understand firsthand.
Tw // self harm
We need to be aware of and address “non-traditional” forms of self harm, especially those that utilise and worsen chronic illnesses and physical disabilities.
If you do any of these things, you are valid, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
We need to be aware of and address “non-traditional” forms of self harm, especially those that utilise and worsen chronic illnesses and physical disabilities.
If you do any of these things, you are valid, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Please consider retweeting.
I know this was long and largely anecdotal, but it’s a very important thing to talk about and spread awareness of.
Either way, have a great day
I know this was long and largely anecdotal, but it’s a very important thing to talk about and spread awareness of.
Either way, have a great day
