Understanding Self Harm: the Effects of Self Injury

Self Harm also known as self injury to some people is a problem worldwide. I remember in the previous years trying to find mental help for self injury including support groups. Self harm is obviously a big enough problem that I wonder why more people don't do anything about it to help individuals who self harm.

Self harm is much deeper than one can explain to you. Self harm may be difficult for people to comprehend unless you have walked in our shoes before. Why do some people self harm? It is a variety of reasons, but most of them are due to self hatred, feeling of being ugly, worthless. Some people self harm in order to make themselves be a better person such as to motivate themselves to do better in life. Self harm is a sign that the person cannot handle problems in life very well.

How do people self harm? It happens in different ways such as burning with matches, cutting with razors, scratching or picking, making wounds even more worse. People who self harm tend to hide it from others due to what people may think of them or they don't want people to know.

How do they hide self harm? They often either just only self harm in the same areas over the old wounds or they self harm in places that can be easy to cover up with clothes. These ways it is less noticeable.

If you know someone who currently self harms or self injury then you need to contact a mental health individual immediately. The person needs help in order to learn how to deal with issues in life instead of self harm or self injury. Let the person know that they aren't crazy or weird, but it isn't normal.

They have outpatient treatment options available at centers nationwide with mental health individuals who handle cases all this all the time. Most of all don't give up on the person despite everything he or she may be going through. It may seem like it is too much for someone from the outside to handle, but don't give up on him or her please.

Self harm is often known as self injury too. Please realize that if you know someone who self harms that you are not responsible. Self harm is nothing against you personally. You can not help the person on your own who does this.

Self harm or self injury is much more severe than what people think from the outside. An individual who self harms most likely feels alone, afraid, or simply don't know how to stop. Some don't want to stop self harm. Some use it as the only method known in order to cope with the abuse situation and/or other situations.

Who most likely self harms?

Abuse survivors of a variety of different abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Ritual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Physical Abuse

Verbal Abuse

How do you stop self harm?

The individual can do something else when they feel the urge. They can always smash a pillow, even though it may not seem as effective. Some like to use a rubber band, but I don't recommend it. Usually when someone stops self harm then they turn to another addiction or other method to cope.

The person can stop the self harm by getting into counseling. They need to take away any matches, cutters, from themselves. They might need to have someone monitor them for a little while. You need to contact a mental health individual regarding them if they don't stop self harm.

Let the person know what to expect. Don't scare them. Let them know if you have called someone or going to. Don't hide it from them. You might be able to find a group that talks about self harm in the area, but they are very limited depending upon location.

If you self harm then please contact a mental health professional immediately.