Self-harm

People with a history of self-harm deliberately inflict injury upon themselves, for example, by cutting or burning themselves or taking an overdose.

Experts say the problem is more common than most people think and is linked to feelings of low self-esteem. Many people may hurt themselves secretly for some time before they ask for help, often because of fear and shame.

What is self-harm?

Contrary to popular myth, people who harm themselves are not trying to commit suicide. They use self-harm as a way of coping with difficult emotions.

Instead of expressing their feelings openly, they take them out on their bodies by cutting or burning themselves, picking their skin, taking an overdose, bruising themselves or pulling their hair out.

But the term can also refer to not looking after physical or emotional needs. It can mean staying in an abusive relationship, taking a lot of risks or addictive behaviour.

Experts say a person who harms themselves only slightly may be just as seriously ill as one who takes an overdose.

Triggers for self-harm can include bullying, bereavement, pressure at work, abuse, financial problems, pressure to fit in and relationship problems.

When these pressures pile up, people can find it difficult to cope. Some say that they feel things are out of control.

One sufferer said: "I think control's a big thing. You can't control what's happening around you, but you can control what you do to yourself."

How many people self-harm?

The Mental Health Foundation estimates around one in 130 people, nearly half a million across the UK, self-harm.

It is often linked to feelings of self-hatred and depression and appears more common in women than men.

Experts suggest this may be because men find it easier to express emotions like anger in an outward way or take it out on others.

Why do people self-harm?

People who harm themselves have often experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse as a child or young adult (although not all people who have been abused self-harm).

Neglect or bullying, which they were unable to talk to anyone about at the time, can also be a trigger.

This can mean anger at their situation is turned inwards. Self harm can become a way of expressing their feelings.

Some people find it is a way of "getting the pain out". Others may see it as a distraction or a way of communicating feelings.

But other self-harmers see it as way of punishing themselves, or of attempting to gain some control over a situation.

Some find it difficult to give up the behaviour despite realising that it could be life-threatening and is not rational.

Treatment

Experts say it is easier to stop self-harming if they can find other ways of dealing with stress.

They advise that people seek help to confront the reasons behind their behaviour.

They may be offered cognitive behavioural therapy, a form of psychotherapy, which involves looking at what triggers the self-harm and trying to change how people react to them.

For friends and family who notice a person is harming themselves, YoungMinds, a charity for children with mental health problems, recommends listening and supporting the person to get help.

It says people should try to keep an open mind and not judge the person and take them seriously.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Headroom: Self harm
Self-harm links
Self-harm
YoungMinds
Mental Health Foundation
Mind
Lifesigns
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