Self Harm
What is self harm?
The term 'self harm' is used to describe a variety of purposeful self destructive behaviours. Such behaviours can be addictive and may be a physical response to emotional pain. Most people think of self harm as cutting, but there are several other behaviours such as burning, scratching, pinching, hitting oneself and punching walls. Other ways of self harm include eating disorders, abusing drugs and/or alcohol and Trichotillomania (pulling out hair).
Why do people self harm?
There are many reasons why a person may self harm. It could be a way to cope with negative feelings or emotions such as anger, sadness, depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. Another reason why someone may self harm is to cause themselves punishment that they believe they deserve. Self destructive behaviours can become very addictive, becoming part of a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.
But surely it must hurt?
Everyone has a different pain threshold. Not only this, but some people self harm to cause themselves pain as they think they deserve it. On the other hand, in times of high emotional distress, the person may become "numb" to the pain while self harming.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SELF HARM
- "It is only for attention". This is absolutely untrue. Self harm is usually about expression of feelings and emotions, not attention.
- "Self harm means someone is mentally ill". This is false. Self harm itself is not a diagnosis, but rather a term for various behaviours. Self harm doesn't equate to mental illness, however, self harming behaviour is very common in mental disorders, especially Emotionally Unstable/Borderline Personality Disorder.
- "People who self harm want to die". Again, false. Not everyone who self harms wants to end their life. Instead they are using self harming behaviour to cope with overwhelming emotions in their life. This is not to say that suicide doesn't happen from such behaviours. Self harm is very addictive and can be extremely dangerous and can lead to suicide, a lot of the time accidental.
What to do if you or someone you know is self harming
If you're self harming, it's never easy to admit you have a problem or addiction. It may have started out almost innocent and grew over time. It may have always been severe. Whichever way you're affected, it is important to get help. Going to your GP can give you the opportunities to get the help you may need. They may refer you to mental health services.
If you're reading this and you self harm, please remember be careful with the tools you use, including not using the same tool over and over without washing it, so that you can prevent infections of the wound. I am saying this because self harm is a coping mechanism and can take a while to stop.
The term 'self harm' is used to describe a variety of purposeful self destructive behaviours. Such behaviours can be addictive and may be a physical response to emotional pain. Most people think of self harm as cutting, but there are several other behaviours such as burning, scratching, pinching, hitting oneself and punching walls. Other ways of self harm include eating disorders, abusing drugs and/or alcohol and Trichotillomania (pulling out hair).
Why do people self harm?
There are many reasons why a person may self harm. It could be a way to cope with negative feelings or emotions such as anger, sadness, depression, anxiety or low self-esteem. Another reason why someone may self harm is to cause themselves punishment that they believe they deserve. Self destructive behaviours can become very addictive, becoming part of a vicious cycle that is hard to escape.
But surely it must hurt?
Everyone has a different pain threshold. Not only this, but some people self harm to cause themselves pain as they think they deserve it. On the other hand, in times of high emotional distress, the person may become "numb" to the pain while self harming.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT SELF HARM
- "It is only for attention". This is absolutely untrue. Self harm is usually about expression of feelings and emotions, not attention.
- "Self harm means someone is mentally ill". This is false. Self harm itself is not a diagnosis, but rather a term for various behaviours. Self harm doesn't equate to mental illness, however, self harming behaviour is very common in mental disorders, especially Emotionally Unstable/Borderline Personality Disorder.
- "People who self harm want to die". Again, false. Not everyone who self harms wants to end their life. Instead they are using self harming behaviour to cope with overwhelming emotions in their life. This is not to say that suicide doesn't happen from such behaviours. Self harm is very addictive and can be extremely dangerous and can lead to suicide, a lot of the time accidental.
What to do if you or someone you know is self harming
If you're self harming, it's never easy to admit you have a problem or addiction. It may have started out almost innocent and grew over time. It may have always been severe. Whichever way you're affected, it is important to get help. Going to your GP can give you the opportunities to get the help you may need. They may refer you to mental health services.
If you're reading this and you self harm, please remember be careful with the tools you use, including not using the same tool over and over without washing it, so that you can prevent infections of the wound. I am saying this because self harm is a coping mechanism and can take a while to stop.
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