Helping You: Surfing the Urge

[Wedge]

This thread relates only to the specific web page in the title above, which is found on the FirstSigns website at:

http://www.firstsigns.org.uk/help/wave.html

This thread is for people to discuss this single page. If you have general comments about the FirstSigns website, you can post a new thread in the 'FirstSigns' forum.

[littleted1]

This for me is probably been the most helpful page on all of firstsigns because it has helped me so much. I use the surf the urge technique with all emotions, not just urges to s/h and it helps a lot. It is really clearly explained on the page too. I also always remember that everything changes - which is along the lines of the surf the urge technique. I think temporising feelings can help a lot in dealing with them. Part of the urge to s/h for me is when I feel the distress I'm in will never end and I need to take control. So I think this is a great technique and very helpful.

Littleted

[Em]

I've used this technique on occasions as well and it has certainly helped. Sometimes, when emotions are particularly negative, you can begin to just focus on them and not see past them. Seeing the urge to self-harm as a wave that will come and seem strong at one point, but will then decrease makes it a lot easier to sit out the urge.

[helenlm]

it is so easy to say surf the urge but it is so over whelming, i do feel that the thery is right what must go up must come down but i dont think i can do the 15 min thing coz i an all ways waiting till the last min till i can no ,longer control...

[EmziexPx]

the 15 minute rule is just about delaying the process - allowing small achievements to be made and a sense of control to return
i use it in so many ways, though not always 15 minutes at a time - it can be anything from 10 seconds to hours...

and even if you do give in, you can still look back and see how much strength you retained through the urge :) x

[Guest]

I guess this aproch helps some people, but what do you do when the urge persits for hours or days and it saps your energy and prevents you doing anything normal and leaves you crying without even the energy to SI your way out of the black, black hole?