Self-Harm
What is self-harm?
This is when you cause harm or injury to yourself on purpose.
Some studies show as many as 10% of adolescents report self-harm.
It commonly starts between 12 to 14 year olds but can continue for years.
What is considered self-harm?
Any type of physical injury you do to yourself intentionally is self-harm.
Common types include:
Cutting
Piercing the skin
Burning
Punching
Biting
Poisoning
Scratching or rubbing
What are the causes of self-harm?
Self-harm is commonly related to feeling unhappy and emotionally distressed.
The pain from self-harming may make you feel better for a short while.
Physical damage occurs to the body.
Nerves send signals to the brain.
Beta-endorphins are released in the brain.
These make you feel better for a short period of time.
Feeling better doesn’t last long.
Self-harm is repeated to make you feel better.
Social factors that can increase the risk of emotional distress include:
Bullying.
Difficult relationships with friends or partners.
Being overwhelmed with studies or work.
Financial worries.
Alcohol or drug misuse.
Having a friend or a family member that self-harms.
Traumatic experiences.
Being abused (sexually, emotionally or physically).
The death of a friend or a family member.
Having a miscarriage.
If you find it difficult to cope with emotions, you may be at risk of self-harming.
Self-harm may act as a release from negative emotions.
It is not an attempt to seek attention.
Such negative emotions include:
Feeling angry.
Feeling Lonely.
Feeling guilty.
Feeling sad.
Psychological issues may be a reason for self-harm, such as:
Anxiety disorders.
Depression.
Eating disorders.
Borderline personality disorders.
This is a mental illness that affects the way you think and how you manage your emotions.
It is commonly associated with actions that push people away from you like anger and impulsiveness.
When to seek help?
You should seek help with any minor form of self-harm.
You should also seek help, if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
It can be difficult for you to do so due to shame or embarrassment.
Talk to someone you trust.
You can contact mental health support organisations anonymously.
What treatments are available?
If you have injured yourself severely, call emergency services or go to the A&E.
If you are thinking of suicide, call emergency services or a suicide hotline or a close friend.
How can medical services help me?
Psychotherapy
This is talk-therapy.
It aims to:
Identify the triggers for self-harm.
Learn how to manage your emotions.
Learn skills to improve your emotions.
Identify psychological conditions leading to self-harm.
Medicines
There are no medicines to treat or prevent self-harm.
Inpatient care
This may be suggested by your doctor to provide you with a safe zone.
What can I do to help myself?
Recognize triggers of self-harm.
Make a plan to manage your stressful emotions, like going for a walk.
Examples of forms of distractions or stress relief methods:
Leaving a stressful environment.
Going for a walk.
Sitting in a public place, like a café.
Speaking to a friend.
Playing music.
Drawing or painting.
Holding or stroking your pet.
Keeping a journal or diary.
Methods to release emotions:
Physical exercise.
Hit a punching bag.
Hitting a pillow.
Holding an ice cube in your fist till it melts.
Drawing on your skin with a red pen.
Keep your therapy appointments.
Stop recreational drugs and alcohol.
Arrange to contact a person you trust if you get an urge for self-harm.