What to Know About Self-Harming

Trigger Warning: this article discusses self-harm, which may be upsetting for some readers

The subject of self-harm is very sensitive for many people, but I also feel like it is not talked about enough. Many people go their whole lives not knowing a lot about self-harm, or even understanding what it is. 

Self-harming can appear in many different forms, from scratching, cutting, biting, burning, not letting cuts heal, to substance abuse. Of course, many other things can be considered self-harm. Many times, people who self-harm are struggling with a mental illness, and lean on self-harming as a way to release pain or provide an outlet for their distress. 

There are many reasons that people self-harm but a primary one is that it’s seen as a coping mechanism for drastic changes in mood or emotions. 

Young people are more likely to suffer from self-harm mostly because of the increased mental illness diagnoses among that age range. 

It’s difficult to be there for a loved one who self-harms because you may not even be aware that they are doing it. If you suspect that someone is harming themselves, try to let them know they are loved and supported. One of the biggest things you need to do is to be patient with them- don’t push or pry, and try to understand why people – and specifically this person – self-harm.

Self-harming is often done in secret and in parts of the body that aren’t regularly seen. This is why it’s so hard to see and know if someone is self-harming. Also, many people who self-harm might not know why they do it, and therefore find it hard to explain to others why they do it. 

There are people who are more susceptible to self-harm, including people in the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, people with anxiety and depression, women, those who have abuse or addiction problems, or those who have experienced any form of abuse in their lives. 

Some common reasons that people self-harm are to punish themselves, to let others know they’re suffering, to distract themselves from feeling, to feel like they have control, or to get relief from feeling emotions. 

Self-harming only provides temporary relief. It takes a lot of help, therapy, and healing to stop self-harming, but it is very important that if someone is self-harming, they reach out to get that help. Please reach out if you are struggling with this problem, and do not let it fester. The longer you do it, the harder it is to stop. Self-harming is very dangerous because it can lead to accidental suicide.
If you or someone you love is self-harming, you are not alone. It is scary and it might be really hard to understand or reach out, but you can do it and get the help you need and deserve. There are many free helplines if you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm. Some free helplines include NAMI, SAMHSA, Crisis Text Line, and NYC Well. Of course, there are many more you can look up as well. Lots of websites have resources on how to help yourself or others who self-harm, and to understand this topic better. Some great resources are on websites like Crisis Text Line, the JED Foundation, NAMI, and Help Guide.