Why People Harm Themselves
March 1 is self-harm awareness day. Many might ask “Why would they do something like that?” “Doesn’t it hurt?” “Why can’t they just stop".
Self-harm or self-injury means hurting yourself on purpose. To understand self-harming, we must first discuss the build-up of emotions and trauma.
Emotions—like anger, fear, and sadness—are hard-wired survival responses to our immediate environment. These complex emotions can feel intolerable to some. People typically resort to self-harm or self-injurious behavior when they're overwhelmed by emotions. Without knowing how to cope, self-harming can become a release to the build-up of emotional/intense pain.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of self-injury:
Scars, often in patterns
Fresh cuts, scratches, bruises, or other wounds
Excessive rubbing of an area to create a burn
Keeping sharp objects on hand
Wearing long sleeves or long pants, even in hot weather
Frequent reports of accidental injury
Difficulties in interpersonal relationships
Behavioral and emotional instability, impulsivity, and unpredictability
Statements of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
Several different kinds of therapy can help, depending on the diagnosis.
Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring past experiences and emotions towards changing self beliefs.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on recognizing negative thought patterns and increasing coping skills
Dialectical behavioral therapy can help a person learn positive coping methods using emotion regulation techniques.
Here are some tips to prevent self injurious behavior.
Holding ice-cubes
Gently tugging at a rubber band on the wrist
Grabbing paper and shredding or ripping it
Cold water (on face, shower, or drinking)
Deep Breathing
Releasing energy (run, exercise, write, yoga)
These tips are intended to shift the focus, body temperature, or release a build up of stressful energy in the body.
For further information, support, and consultation please consult with a professional.
Crisis helpline:
https://www.crisistextline.org/topics/self-harm/#what-is-self-harm-1