Self-harm is a complex mental health challenge that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. While it may be used as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional pain, it is not a healthy or lasting solution. Understanding the causes, recognizing the warning signs, and learning about available treatment options can help individuals begin the journey toward healing, hope, and recovery.
What Is Self-Harm?
Self-harm
Self-harm or self-injury means hurting yourself on purpose. One common method is cutting with a sharp object. But any time someone deliberately hurts themself is classified as self-harm. Some people feel an impulse to cause burns, pull out hair or pick at wounds to prevent healing. Extreme injuries can result in broken bones.
Hurting yourself—or thinking about hurting yourself—is a sign of emotional distress. These uncomfortable emotions may grow more intense if a person continues to use self-harm as a coping mechanism. Learning other ways to tolerate the mental pain will make you stronger in the long term.
Written by: National Allience on Mental Illness Staff
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Signs & Symptoms
Self-Harm
Symptoms and warning signs of self-harm:
- Scars
- Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather
- Talking about feeling worthless or helpless
- Fresh cuts, bruises, bite marks, or burns
- Keeping sharp objects on hand
- Frequent reports of accidental injury
- Emotional and behavioral instability and unpredictability
Written by: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration Staff
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Causes
Self-Harm
For many people, self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem. Some teens say that when they hurt themselves, they are trying to stop feeling lonely, angry, or hopeless.
Written by: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration Staff
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Common Types of Self-Harm
How to Cope with Self Harm
Self-harm can manifest differently for everyone. And, the ways people may self-harm extend far beyond the usual references to cutting in media. Simply, self-harm is anything and everything someone can do to purposely hurt their body.
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Written by: Crisis Text Line Staff
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How to Cope with Self Harm
Emotions can be really painful sometimes. It’s totally normal to need ways to cope with and process the hard things in your life. If you are using harming yourself to manage your emotions, we’re here for you. And, we want to help keep you safe.
Here are some ways to push through, process, and cope with your emotions.
- Text someone
- Get creative
- Meditate or breathe deeply
- Talk to a professional
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Written by: Crisis Text Line Staff
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Self-harm
There are effective treatments for self-harm that can allow a person to feel in control again. Psychotherapy is important to any treatment plan. Self-harm may feel necessary to manage emotions, so a person will need to learn new coping mechanisms.
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
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If you’re worried a family member or friend might be hurting themself, ask them how they’re doing and be prepared to listen to the answer, even if it makes you uncomfortable. This may be a hard subject to understand. One of the best things is to tell them that while you may not fully understand, you’ll be there to help. Don’t dismiss emotions or try to turn it into a joke.
Gently encourage someone to get treatment by stating that self-harm isn’t uncommon and doctors and therapists can help. If possible, offer to help find treatment. But don’t go on the offensive and don’t try to make the person promise to stop, as it takes more than willpower to quit.
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Continue Your Journey of Healing & Hope
After exploring Depression and Pyrography, we invite you to discover more ways to find strength, creativity, and support through our community resources.