Understanding people who self harm

It may be difficult to understand why someone would deliberately harm himself or herself but it’s important to remember that many people do things that are harmful from time to time. Some people smoke, drink too much, or overeat. While these things may be thought to be more socially acceptable than self-harm they can also be harmful ways of dealing with stress and the pressures of everyday life.

People who self-harm are experiencing extreme distress. They are not usually attention seeking or mentally ill. They are in a situation where they have lost control over what is happening to them and have no other means of expressing their feelings or asking for help. They need compassion, support and understanding..

Is self-harm an addiction?

“I wish I never started because it becomes an addiction. I still think about it and sometimes I just scream sooo loud inside but I can’t go back to it and I won’t.”

Find out more about self-harming

* Why do people self-harm themselves?
* How common is self-harming?
* Why it can be difficult asking for help
* Getting help and supporting others