Friending policy can be found on my profile...

Self-Injury (here on referred to as self-harm, except where the word injury serves best), also known as 'non-suicidal self-injury' and 'deliberate self-harm', it is the self-infliction of harm to the individual which can be both physical and psychological in nature. These can include cutting, burning, hitting, intentional overdose, self-starvation, and persistent derogatory and hateful thoughts of self. However, that's not to say there aren't other ways the harm can be inflicted - we can be inventive when the situation calls for it. Many who self-harm do it in places that cannot be seen or can be easily hidden. For the majority of those who self-harm suicide is not the intention although sadly, given the nature of self-injury, accidental death can result. In addition, those who self-harm are at a higher risk for suicide and suicide attempts in the future (it is estimated that somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of those who commit suicide have a history of self-harm).

It is a common myth that self-harm is used as a means of manipulation and/or attention-seeking - but this is untrue and highly insulting. Instead, self-harm is often the result of overwhelming and persistent feelings of guilt, anger (at ourselves, someone else or both), emptiness, anxiousness, self-loathing and depression - to name but a few. It is an outward expression of emotional pain and a coping mechanism with the aim of either ending an episode of dissociation or to facilitate dissociation from the intense feelings being experienced. It can also be used as a means of punishment, control or an attempt to ward off thoughts of suicide - however, it is important to realise that every self-harmer has their own unique reasons for each individual episode. The catch-22 of this that the feelings that often lead to an episode of self-harm, after a period of calm and self-satisfaction - it is a highly cathartic and morbidly pleasurable experience, become magnified at the realisation of the act. Another common side effect of self-harm can be an addiction to the self-harm itself. Due to the chemical processes which result from self-injury the person may become psychologically dependent - it is highly effective, reliable and often becomes the persons go-to coping strategy for any stressors - and eventually the person may crave it as someone with a substance abuse problem craves their drug of choice. And guess what? Self-harm is not limited to young girls. Don't ever assume that.

If you know of or encounter someone who has or does self-harm do not, I repeat DO NOT, be judgmental of them or their behaviour. This will not help the situation at all and will result in further anger and withdrawal by the sufferer - also, being found out often results in further feelings of self-hatred, failure and guilt. Comments such as '[insert name here] has it worse off' and the like are a bad move - believe me, they've already thought this, felt guilt over this and now you've just confirmed their worst thoughts about themselves. Avoid expressions of shock, anger, blame or any other strong negative emotions. Do not trivialise the self-harm or feelings which have lead to it. Don't punish the person - they are already doing that enough for the both of you, your friends and all your relatives. Also, unless the conversation is initiated by the sufferer, do not focus any and all conversations on stopping the self-harm and threaten or proceed with the removal of tools used. These tools are our comfort blankets, the removal of which often stirs up intense anxiety and leaves us on edge… and, like I said, we are inventive - if we really want to self-harm we will find a way and, as it may require the introduction of a new method, can lead to an increase in the severity of harm or risk death. Instead, remain calm and express any concerns you may be feeling in a non-judgmental way - approach the topic carefully and do not push the subject if the person is not ready. Ask if there is anything you can do to help alleviate the experienced distress which has lead us to this. You can encourage the person to seek professional help, but do not pressure them to do so. Please be supportive and accepting of us: we hurt - this is how we deal.

For those of you out there who do self-harm, I'm not asking you to identify yourself and I will not 'out you'. SI screams in your ear that hiding your self-harm is proof that you are strong-willed and in control and being found out or wanting to get better is a sign of weakness and failure, but believe me when I say that putting your hand up and asking for help is where the real bravery lies. If and/or when you want to accept help, know that it takes time, effort and a bucketload of self-control but it is also worth it. I have been a self-harmer since the age of 15 and I waited until I was over 20 to 'seek help'. I left it for so long that I am one of those for whom it has become an addiction. I still have the occasional relapse - it would be naïve to expect otherwise - however, each time it becomes a little less intense and easier to recover from (a 'two steps forward, one step back' kind of thing). I know I will battle with the urge for the rest of my life but it really does become a little easier to resist each day.

I am currently six and a half months clean.

At twelve months I get cake.

So I've had a few people ask how I made my Marianas Trench "Fix Me" hoodie that they sold for a while and has since disappeared off the face of the earth. Due to not-quite-so-overwhelming demand, and for your artistic pleasure, here are a set of instructions on how I made mine:


( I'm going to post this under a cut as it is image heavy... )

If you have any questions about the above instructions feel free to ask them and I'll try and answer. ^.^

Went looking for a Marianas Trench or Josh Ramsay mood theme and couldn't find either so, to pass the time and to go along with my layout, I made one. I've uploaded it to megaupload for anybody who might want it in the future.
All screencaptures used for the theme were painstakingly done by me (if you can call watching their awesome videos 'painstaking' :P) - so please, if you do take, the least you could do would be to credit. Commenting would make me feel pretty happy too. *hint hint* :)



Josh Ramsay Mood Theme
133 Moods (plus a few alternates)
Image size: 100x40
File size: 4.46mB

Full Download of zip @ Megaupload HERE
Mood theme upload instructions can be found HERE

In doing up my LJ layout I created a few extra friends only banners and icons, until I came across what I liked. I realise that these are for a rather niche market but it's only fair to share!

Josh Ramsay
8 x icons
3 x friends only banners

Marianas Trench
6 x friends only banners



( PRETTIES! )

If you like any of these, feel free to grab, just remember to credit... :)
And, as always, comments =

I don't think I've ever felt relief quite on the scale I did half an hour ago. About a month ago I had to write a shitty essay on panopticonism and how it influences drug using behaviour. Anyway! I was sure I had failed. Absolutely positive about it and was already starting to plan out how I would have to alter my degree to fit in another subject (I'm already doing that over another subject I'm unsure about, but that's another story)... Well, I just got my marks back and not only did I pass the subject but I got really good marks for the essay! :D

I thought I'd post it on here for anyone who is into sociology, Foucault's theory of panopticonism or how people monitor and influence drug use... or for any poor sod who gets stuck with a similar topic in the future...

( I got 33/40 for this complete load of waffle! )

Now to wait the 15 days until I get my other marks back! :S

Below are my lists of five. The five male and five female celebrities whom my partner, if I ever had a partner, would not be able to complain about should I run off with them for a torrid affair. This is not to say that there aren't others I wouldn't love to stick in here, but the rule is five so I had to choose - and god, it took a while! They are all such attractive and sexy people. If only real people looked this good!

*swoons several times over*

( My lists of five... )

This is a post in regards to the current crisis in QLD. All those effected are in my thoughts and heart. The stories coming out of this tragedy are heartbreaking.

One of my mum's friends is one of those isolated up in QLD. Mum asked how everything was up there and her friend wrote back. (I'm paraphrasing) 'The farm damage is more money than I could save in 5 years, but what is more painful is that I saw a foal being washed away earlier in the day. I wish I had planned more so that she would have been safe. The money doesn't hurt, it's when you see the animals you love washed away that your heart truly breaks.'

One family was trapped in a car in the middle of one of the flash floods. Thankfully the mother and child were rescued. Nobody knows anything about the father. People have been seen thrashed about by the torrent of water. There are stories coming in of people who have old escaped with only the clothes on their back and their pets under their arms as they watched their houses go under. Horses are exhausted from swimming against the torrent and attempting to reach higher ground, with people heading out to rope them and pull them to safety.

Parts of these floods are being referred to as inland tsunami's, and rightly so. The below footage was taken by a guy in an office block when he realised what was happening. In an interview on the telly this morning he said that its usually a trickling creek. They had no warning.



That all being said, stories are also coming out of people who have risked their own lives to save others, take in those that have lost homes and volunteering at evacuation centres. It is so heart warming to see, through all this tragedy, people and communities as a whole banding together to help out their fellow man.

A running news story can be found here.

Some scary and absolutely amazing, images of the floods can be found here.

The current death toll is at 12, with grave fears for 9. 51 others are reported missing. The number missing has been revised down to 43.

For those who need to enquire about friends and family members.

Please, everyone, consider donating to the QLD relief fund or the RSPCA.

To you know who you are,

Please stop visiting my LJ - I am able to see it when you do, and it's pissing me off.

It took me a long time to work through how fucked up you made me feel and get to a place where I don't feel completely guilt-ridden and suicidal all the time.

Until you've worked through your own shit and no longer feel you have to project and blame everyone else, please fuck off and don't come back.

Have a good life.

Sigrid.

Before I get to the icons, I've just got to say OMG! I CAN'T WAIT TILL TOMORROW! I get my two-part tattoo in less than 15 hours!!! I'll put up a picture of it when I get them. :) I actually took a photo of both my wrists today - just so I'd have a memento of the last time they're uninked! XP

Anyway, I've been making these over the last month or so and I decided I should probably put them up before I have even more. XP

Rent (Movie)
35 x icon

Torchwood
25 x icons

Green Day (...truthfully it's just Billie Joe :P)
40 x icons



( Sugar and spice and everything nice wasn't made for only girls... )

If you like any of these, feel free to grab, just remember to credit... :)
And as always comments = squee!love ^.^