We discovered the SI 4 years ago. She attended S.A.F.E. two years ago and it was a big help. She SI much less often now and has gone sometimes for months a at time being safe.
I just came back from dropping off supper and medication for my daughter. She is 19 and she has her own apartment now.
I went into her apartment and we talked for quite a while about several things that I wanted to tell her.
Among them,
finding a new therapist to help her with her OCD. etc.
Being safe on her upcoming trip. Travelling alone. Safe from others.
Being safe so that she isn’t sorry afterwards – keeping herself safe…
etc, etc.
I asked if she would please put on a sweater because it is hard for me to look at her arms after SI. Basically she refused. “It is my apartment and I can do what I like…”
I am cringing. How can I be a father to her???.. I can’t take it. A beautiful girl self mutilating…
I can’t imagine what goes through mind when you see your daughter all I can say is that I have scars on my arms too and even though I have no family on my side I do have people that are always judging me because of it. One suggestion if I may say is don’t keep pointing out the scars since that could be a trigger into her doing it again. The OCD thing I also have a huge problem with, but at times whenever I can’t cope with things and I need a distraction it helps somewhat so maybe it isn’t such a bad thing and I presently seeing a Therapist and psychiatrist for that and other things. You are I’m sure a great father who happens to just what to get his daughter back and wants her happy. It’s nothing that you’ve had done let me just say it’s a cycle that occurs and as a former SI (It will be 2 yrs next month)it can’t be helped.
Be there for her is all she really ask of you and don’t judge!