Selfharm Supported by What is selfharm Selfharm is
Self-harm Supported by
What is self-harm? • Self-harm is a behaviour not an illness. It is used by people to cope with distress or to communicate that they are distressed. • It can range from relatively minor self-injury to dangerous and life-threatening behaviour.
Reasons for self-harming • coping with distress or emotional pain • communicating distress when other methods are unsuccessful • traumatic experience in childhood • conscious or unconscious self-blame • release of endorphins • a way of paying attention to yourself when no one else is doing so.
Self-harm • self-injury or risk-taking behaviour • gives relief from overwhelming emotional pain • may be the only survival strategy the person knows Self-harm includes: o deliberate self-injury o self-poisoning o cutting o burning o risk-taking behaviour
What self-harm is not • It is not a suicide attempt: the person is attempting to feel better, not escape all feelings. • It is not usually attention seeking.
Some common triggers • family problems • feelings of being rejected • mental health issues • reaction to trauma or abuse • peer pressure • poor body image • substance misuse • feeling stressed • having boy/girlfriend problems • exams/school work • self-esteem issues • bereavement • feeling lonely • feeling guilty • bullying • not having someone close to talk to
Warning signs • wearing long sleeves at inappropriate times • spending more time in the bathroom • unexplained cuts or bruises, burns or other injuries • razor blades, scissors, knives, plasters have disappeared • negative life events that could have prompted these feelings, such as bereavement, abuse, exam stress, parental divorce • feelings of worthlessness • changes in eating or sleeping patterns • losing friendships • unexplained smell of Dettol, TCP, etc • withdrawal from activities that used to be enjoyed • low mood - seems to be depressed or unhappy • abuse of alcohol and or drugs • spending more time by themselves and becoming more private or defensive • mood changes - anger, sadness • low self-esteem
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