Overview
Self-harm is not a mental illness. Self-harm is a behavior that indicates a lack of coping skills. For some, they see it as a way of regaining the control of pain. Self-harm is not a suicidal act, and it is not always a cry for attention. It is a form of releasing built up anger, frustration, pain and overwhelming emotions. Self- harm is a way of coping. It is a way to relieve, control, or express destressing feelings, thoughts or memories. People that self-harm might experience feeling alone and feeling guilty or shameful. Self-Harming is also only a short term relief. Keep in mind that people that Self-Harm usually are deliberately hurting their bodies, do it in secret and harm themselves on places on the body that might not be seen by others.
Different Illnesses that Might Be Involved
Different Ways of Self-Harming (Intentional)
- cutting
- burning
- punching the body
- picking skin or sores
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Do you think someone is self-harming?Have you seen the following?...
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What should you do?
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The Vicious Cycle
Self-harming once, or twice, might seem as though it is no big deal. When, in fact, it can quickly become a very dangerous cycle if they do not seek out professional help quick enough. Below are two different cycles that represent the unhealthy cycle of self-harm that doesn't involved professional help. The other cycle is how the cycle can be broken, and made into a healthy cycle with the use of different coping mechanisms.
Self-Harm Unhealthy Cycle |
Self-Harm Healthy Cycle |
Books About Self-Harm
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Videos On Self-Harm |
Celebrities that Have Experienced Self-Harm
"My body is a journal in a way. It's like what sailors used to do, where every tattoo meant something, a specific time in your life when you make a mark on yourself, whether you do it to yourself with a knife or with a professional tattoo artist." -Johnny Depp (image on the right)
"It's hard to keep a secret when it's written all over your body"- Anonymous
"Look at your cuts. Or your burns. Or those bruises you gave yourself. Each one, is a battle with yourself That you lost."- Anonymous |
“You might imagine that a person would resort to self-mutilation only under extremes of duress, but once I'd crossed that line the first time, taken that fateful step off the precipice, then almost any reason was a good enough reason, almost any provocation was provocation enough. Cutting was my all-purpose solution.” - Caroline Kettlewell, Skin Game
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Hotlines:
Cutting/Self Injury- 800-366-8288 or 800-DONT-CUT
24-hr. Crisis hotline to talk before you self-harm- 1-800-273-TALK
Referrals for therapists and tips on how to stop- http://www.selfinjury.com
Cutting/Self Injury- 800-366-8288 or 800-DONT-CUT
24-hr. Crisis hotline to talk before you self-harm- 1-800-273-TALK
Referrals for therapists and tips on how to stop- http://www.selfinjury.com