Put ice on your wrists,
Or wherever the scars usually appear,
And hold it for five to ten minutes,
The urge should disappear,
Along with the sensation in your veins
The signals to you
That you're about to black out.
If you don't have ice,
Apply pressure with your hands.
Bonus points if they're cold.
Don't allow yourself to become too aware
Of the blood in your veins.
Breathing exercises help too,
And while you're at it try grounding yourself.
Count how many things you can see up to five.
Then count four things you can hear.
Three you can touch,
Two you can smell,
And one you can taste.
Make a list of what calms you,
Make a list of what gives you bliss,
See how many things go between each.
Talk yourself down,
Remind yourself you can't do this.
Remind yourself you have to remember.
Don't focus on the trigger.
Forget it,
Quickly.
Distract yourself.
Something you can hear-- Music.
Something you can taste-- Gum.
Something you can feel-- Your lion.
Something you can smell-- His sweatshirt.
But what do you focus on?
You can't seem to find a fixed point to keep your eyes on,
And the threat of a black out is receding,
But why did it start?
You can't even remember what set you off.
Your hands are soaked.
The ice cubes melted on your wrists.