Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves deliberately. There are lots of different forms of self-harming. 

 

Some people use the same type all the time, and others use a mixture. Self-harming can include:

 

• Cutting

• Over- or under-eating

• Poisoning

• Biting

• Picking or scratching

• Burning skin

• Inserting objects into the body

• Hitting self, or walls

• Overdosing

• Exercising excessively

• Pulling out hair

• Getting into fights and getting hurt

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Some people have described their self-harm as their way to:

 

• Deal with difficult feelings, painful memories or overwhelming situations and experiences 

• Express something they don’t know how to put into words

• Try and turn invisible feelings into something “more real” and physical pain

• Give them a false sense of being in control

• Try and escape traumatic memories

• Punish themselves for their feelings and experiences 

• Stop feeling numb or disconnected

• Create a reason to physically care for themselves

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Self-harm can also bring up difficult emotions and make people feel worse. And it’s often something that’s kept secret as many people feel ashamed about it.

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Self-harming is always very serious, and if you or someone you can about is hurting themselves, it’s important they get support, as it can be very risky. It’s important that people who self-harm get proper help, so should see their GP.

 

There’s more information on self-harm on the links below: