Self Harm - What You Should Know

Self-Harm: What You Should Know

Self-harm is the act of hurting yourself on purpose. It is usually a sign that someone is struggling with their emotions and is used as a coping mechanism. Some might think, “Well I can’t ever imagine hurting myself on purpose, so why do others?” The first step here is to see self-harm in a non-judgemental way. While some people cope with their problems with alcohol, or drugs, some people “self-medicate” with acts of self-harm. Why some people react in these different ways to their mental struggles is not completely understood.

Self-harm can be associated with some mental health conditions such as borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others. A large percentage of those who partake in self-harm are teenagers and young adults due to the rapid changes they can experience. So why does it happen? There are many reasons why someone might self-harm. These can be:

To help manage emotions, stress, and pressure
To help to finally feel something instead of feeling numb
To help feel in control
To help overcome trauma by reenacting it

It is important to realize that just like alcohol and other drugs, self-harm can become addictive and can be coupled to many other self-destructing behaviors. The danger of self-harm is exactly why intervention and treatment are so important, Moreover, self-harm is very challenging to overcome and work through, but is it possible. Seeking help is imperative. At the same time, practicing better coping mechanisms can be extremely helpful in alleviating any urge to self-harm. Some examples are exercising, avoiding alcohol and drugs, learning to express yourself in a creative way, and self-soothing yourself (such as by meditation).

It is not uncommon for people to see self-harm in a negative way. This is where we can make a difference. Once you understand how and why this mental health symptom comes to be, it is much easier to be empathetic towards others, which allows for stigma to be reduced. People need help, not hate. We need to show others compassion instead of judgement. This starts with you. With all of us.

If you or one of your loved ones is going through this struggle please visit www.nami.org for more information, help, and support.

Written by: Alessandra Merino

Greenstein, L. (2018, February 28). Understanding Self-Harm. Retrieved March 28, 2019, from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/February-2018/Understanding-Self-Harm