Nonsuicidal self-injury, often simply called self-injury, is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. It's typically not meant as a suicide attempt.
Rather, this type of self-injury is a harmful way to cope with emotional pain, intense anger and frustration. While self-injury may bring a momentary sense of calm and a release of tension, it's usually followed by guilt and shame and the return of painful emotions. Although life-threatening injuries are usually not intended, with self-injury comes the possibility of more-serious and even fatal self-aggressive actions. Self-injury usually occurs in private and is done in a controlled or ritualistic manner that often leaves a pattern on the skin.
Examples of self-harm include:. Most frequently, the arms, legs and front of the torso are the targets of self-injury, but any area of the body may be used for self-injury. People who self-injure may use more than one method to harm themselves. Becoming upset can trigger an urge to self-injure. Many people self-injure only a few times and then stop. But for others, self-injury can become a long-term, repetitive behavior. If you're injuring yourself, even in a minor way, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, reach out for help.
Any form of self-injury is a sign of bigger issues that need to be addressed. Talk to someone you trust — such as a friend, loved one, doctor, spiritual leader, or a school counselor, nurse or teacher — who can help you take the first steps to successful treatment. While you may feel ashamed and embarrassed about your behavior, you can find supportive, caring and nonjudgmental help. If you have a friend or loved one who is self-injuring, you may be shocked and scared.
Take all talk of self-injury seriously. Although you might feel that you'd be betraying a confidence, self-injury is too big a problem to ignore or to deal with alone. Here are some ways to help. If you've injured yourself severely or believe your injury may be life-threatening, or if you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call or your local emergency number immediately. There's no one single or simple cause that leads someone to self-injure.
Particularly if you feel other things in your life are out of control. Free call Samaritans Read our cookies policy to find out more about cookies and how we use them. Why people self-harm Self-harm Types and signs Getting help Why people self-harm Things you can do to help yourself How a parent or friend can help.
Everyone is different, but some common reasons why people may self-harm are to: express overwhelming emotional distress express difficult feelings feel in control of their lives Overwhelming emotional distress In most cases, people who self-harm do it to help them cope with overwhelming emotional pain. Social problems: being bullied having difficulties at work or school having difficult relationships with friends or family coming to terms with sexuality coping with expectations Trauma: physical or sexual abuse death of a close family member or friend having a miscarriage Psychological causes: having repeated thoughts or voices telling them to self-harm disassociating - losing touch with who they are and with their surroundings borderline personality disorder You may not know who to turn to for help.
Related topics Anxiety Depression Express difficult or hidden feelings It's not uncommon to feel numb or empty as a result of overwhelming feelings. People may also be trying to: change emotional pain into physical pain escape traumatic memories punish themselves for feelings or experiences stop feeling numb, disconnected or dissociated express suicidal feelings and thoughts without taking their own life Feeling in control You may feel it is one way to have a sense of control over your life, feelings, or body.
Some of the reasons that people may self-harm include: expressing or coping with emotional distress trying to feel in control a way of punishing themselves relieving unbearable tension a cry for help a response to intrusive thoughts Self-harm may be linked to bad experiences that are happening now, or in the past. The reasons can also change over time and will not be the same for everybody. Common causes of emotional distress Self-harm is most often described as a way to express or cope with emotional distress.
Some examples include: being bullied pressure at school or work family arguments or relationship problems money worries low self-esteem struggling with stress, anxiety or depression confusion about sexuality grief after bereavement or loss physical or sexual abuse being in contact with the criminal justice system experiencing complex mental health difficulties that sometimes cause impulsive behaviour or difficulty controlling emotions, often due to past trauma Self-harm and suicide There is evidence of a clear link between suicide or suicidal thoughts and people who have previously self-harmed.
Video: talking about self-harm This video explores why young people may self-harm and gives advice on how to get the right support. Media last reviewed: 2 March Media review due: 2 March
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