Self-harm (Article).

What is self-harm.

Self-harm is when you try and injure yourself on purpose. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people who self-harm once will do it again. People who self-harm are 50% more likely to commit suicide. Self harming in the United Kingdom has soared over the past 10 years and is amongst the highest in Europe. Self harming is at is highest in young people. It is estimated that over 25,000 11 – 25 years old are admitted to hospital each year for self harming.

Self harming gives some people a sense of escape, relief and control. It usually happens when the person feels very upset and emotional. You may be feeling very tense and are looking for a quick release. You may start to feel very desperate and not know where to turn. You may feel trapped and helpless and feel very angry and ready to explode. Afterwards You usually feel very guilty and in turn want to harm yourself again.

Self harm is seen as a way to detach yourself from your body and the world. You just want to shut everyone out. It can be a way of coping with the stress and trauma of abuse. You try to block out the memories and try and make yourself feel connected with your body and make yourself feel alive again.

Some methods of self harm are :
 
. Overdose (Either medicines from the doctor or medicines bought over the counter, illegal drugs are also used. Sniffing and inhaling aerosols are also quite common)
. Cutting yourself  (Causes scarring and can cause numbness)
. Burning yourself  (usually with lighters, matches and cigarettes)
. Pull your hair
. Jump in front of moving vehicles
. Pick at your skin until it scabs (usually starts off just scratching until it goes raw then continues to do so).
. Try and strangle yourself  (either with your hands or bits of rope and string)
. Bang your head off things (walls or the corners of tables)
. Throw yourself against something hard
. Constantly punch yourself
. Stick pins or other sharp objects into your body
. Stabbing yourself 
. Biting yourself
. Trying to break your bones (fingers, toes, arms)
. Jumping from heights
. Binge eating

Most self harmer’s keep it a secret from family and friends. You are ashamed of what people will think of you. You are afraid that they’ll think your crazy. If your a self harmer, you shouldn’t feel guilty or ashamed. Asking for help is OK.

If you are a concerned family member or friend and you think your loved one may be self – harming, here are some symptoms to look out for :

. Unexplained cuts, bruises or burns on their arms or other parts of their body
. Wearing long sleeved tops and long trousers even in hot weather and refusing to take them off on front of people
. Changes in their eating habits
. Becoming very secretive all of a sudden
. Unexplained weight loss or gain (although this can be due to health problems also)
. Showing signs of being depressed
. Crying over very minuscule things
. Lack of interest in anything
. Having no self esteem and always blaming themselves for everything
. Thinking they are not good enough

Here are some tips on things you shouldn’t do or say if you think or find out your loved one may be self harming.

. Don’t ask them lots of questions. Like ‘ how long have you been hurting yourself ‘ or ‘ why do you hurt yourself ‘. They may not want to talk to you about it.
. Don’t tell them to stop hurting themselves. They may feel like your alienating them further by telling them what to do.
. Don’t go around telling everyone. This will only make them want to harm more, as they’ll think everyone is ganging up on them.

You should speak to your loved one first and explain that your always there for them if they ever need to talk. Explain that your not hear to judge them. Maybe suggest going to a doctor together so you can offer your support. Tell them you’ll not be disappointed if they don’t want to talk to you. Talking to strangers might be a lot easier.

Thanks for reading my article and if your a self harmer. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed. There is lots of help out there. You may not be ready to seek help yet but when you are just remember that there are lots of people who care about you. And you’ll always find someone to listen. As that’s all you need sometimes. Someone who will just sit and let you off load all your problems.