Myths Around Self-Harm
by Liz Scarff
People who self-harm are not necessarily suicidal or seeking attention. But these are just two of the misconceptions you may come across.
Myths and stereotypes
Negative stereotypes around self-harming can make you feel like you don't want to come forward for help and advice. You may be worried because you'll be judged and that you won't be taken seriously. If you're frustrated that a friend or family member just doesn't get you, remind them that self-harm isn't about attention-seeking or part of a 'youth culture', but often a response to emotional pressure and distress. "Self-harming is not a disease or something that can be narrowed down like dyslexia or a cold, or the flu," says Jay, 17. "It's something far bigger and more complicated than that."
Self-harming is attention-seeking
Stripping naked and running down the high street would be attention-seeking, but self-harming is very private and personal. People who self-harm often go to great lengths to cover up their injuries. The attention that self-harming does bring is often negative and doesn't help to relieve distress. Positive attention such as lending an ear and listening can help somebody who is experiencing distress and dealing with the pressures of everyday life. "Self-harming was never a cry for help, I just wanted people to understand that I was hurting." Alice, 19.
People who self-harm are suicidal
People who self-harm aren't usually trying to kill themselves. For many it's a coping mechanism used to survive - not die. Just because you self-harm, it doesn't mean you are suffering from a severe mental illness, either. Although there is a relationship between self-harm and suicide, many more people self-harm than kill themselves - it's the feelings behind the stress they want to get rid of. However, some people who self-harm also have suicidal feelings or are not sure if they want to live or die as a result of an episode of self-harm. In addition some forms of self-harm can lead to accidental death.
It's only a teenage thing - you will grow out of it
It's not easy to say exactly how many people self-harm and it's definitely not just something that affects young people. If somebody is hurting themselves, either by cutting, repeatedly banging their head or pulling their hair out, it's a sign that something is seriously bothering them. They need help and somebody to listen to them. If not the problem may become more severe over time. "Self-harm isn't the problem; the problem is what is causing the self-harm in the first place," says JD, 16. "We wouldn't have to deal with self-harm if there weren't bullies and pressure around us."
People who self-harm could stop if they wanted to
Self-harm can become a habitual or addictive behaviour for some people. Telling somebody to "just stop it" will not work and could possibly alienate them further. They need help and understanding to recover and learn other strategies for coping with emotional pain and stressful situations. "I wish I never started because it becomes an addiction. I still think about it and sometimes I just scream so loud inside, but I can't go back to it and I won't," says Susie, 24.
People who have self-harmed have been abused
While some people who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused may self-harm, it would be wrong to assume that is the case for everybody. There are many different triggers and often young people find it difficult to pinpoint the exact thing that caused them to self-harm in the first place. For many self-harming is a way to cope - to release tension, stress or pressure. Seeking professional help can enable those who self-harm get to the root of the problem.
Self-harm is when you cut yourself
Cutting is only one form of self-harm and although it's one of the most common reported forms, there are other ways that people may hurt themselves intentionally. This might be, hair pulling, head banging, scratching, burning and overdosing.
People self-harm to fit in or be cool
Young people self-harm because in response to emotional distress. Thinking that somebody is burning or cutting themselves just to be cool is a little extreme. Even if somebody did do it once to fit in with mates at school, repeatedly continuing to hurt themselves shows that there is an underlying emotional problem that needs to be addressed.
The wound isn't that bad - so the problem can't be that bad
If somebody has the courage to tell you that they self-harm it is incredibly important to them that you take them seriously, regardless of how severe, or not, the injury is. Your reaction may have a tremendous impact on them, so tread carefully.
If you self-harm you have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
BPD is a complex condition and there is a lot of debate among mental health experts about what it is and how to treat it. Some people argue that as a diagnosis it has little meaning and that labelling someone as having a BPD is not useful. Self-harm can be a feature of BPD but only as part of a complex set of other features. Even if someone is diagnosed as having a BPD they will still need treatment and support that deals with the underlying emotional issues and patterns of behaviour - as will all mental health problems.
The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.
The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.
www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)
Downloads
Quotes
"If someone is self-harming they are doing it in secret and are feeling emotional distress and that needs to be addressed"
Dr Singh
MoreSend us your QuotesTips & Hints
Trust in someone
If you’re ready to seek help for cutting or self-harm, the first step is being willing to confide in another person. It can be scary ...MoreFigure out what your self-harm triggers are
Self-harm is most often a way of dealing with emotional pain. What feelings make you want to cut or hurt yourself? Whether it is sadnes...MoreDiscover your feelings
Having a hard time pinpointing exactly which feelings trigger your urge to self-harm? You may need to work on your emotional awareness....MoreLook for new ways of coping
Self-harm is your way of dealing with feelings and difficult situations. So if you’re going to stop, you need to put alternative ways...MoreBuild self-esteem
Build self-esteem via positive affirmations. Write down things you like about yourself (or what others say are your positives), taking ...More More Tips & Hints