Understanding why you self-harm

Any behaviour where someone causes physical harm to themselves is described as self-harm. Self-harm can take many different forms however, it is generally any behaviour that causes injury regardless of how minor. 

Self-harm is not limited to a certain group of people. Anyone can be effected by self-harm, however research shows that  some people are more at risk of self-harm due to their life experiences and personal circumstances. These groups include people  experiencing  mental health problems, being a young person who is not under the care of their parents, being a part of the LGBT community or being bereaved by a suicide.  

There are a variety of different reasons as to why someone would self-harm. Why people self-harm is different for everyone, however it is usually linked to a difficult life experience. Some examples of difficult experiences that could lead someone to self-harm include: experiencing depression and anxiety; money worries; work or academic pressure; physical, sexual or emotional abuse; illness; bereavement; and relationship breakdown. People deal with these difficult experiences differently; some people confide in family and friends, speak to professionals or perhaps find these experiences overwhelming. Very often self-harm is used as a way to relieve the pressure from feelings of distress caused by events like these. Some temporary relief may be experienced after self-harming, however it is only temporary, feelings of shame and guilt may follow shortly after. This can actually create a cycle of self-harm, by which feelings of shame and guilt after self-harming may cause someone distress, and they make look to self-harm as a way to relieve that distress. This may create a further exacerbation of self-harming behaviour to block out these feelings such as using substances in excess such as alcohol and illicit drugs.

It is important to talk to someone if you have been self-harming. This can be to a trusted family member or friend, a helpline, your GP or a mental health professional.