Self harm is a form of control the harmer exerts over oneself. Just like eating disorders are used to help the individual cope, the act of injuring oneself is also used to help cope with, and release built up feelings and emotions. Self-injury is probably the most widely misunderstood forms of self harm and there are many myths associated with it(see myths page), which can make it difficult for people to reach out and ask for help. Self-injury (self-harm, self-mutilation) is the attempt to deliberately cause harm to one's own body and the injury is usually severe enough to cause tissue damage. This is not an attempt at suicide, though most people see it that way. It has been reported that many people who self-injure have a history of sexual or physical abuse, but that is not always the case. Some may come from broken homes, alcoholic homes, have emotionally absent parents. There are many factors that could cause someone to self-injure as a way to cope. There are three types of self-injury. The rarest and most extreme form is Major self-mutilation. This form usually results in permanent disfigurement, i.e. limb amputation. Another form is Stereo typic self-mutilation which usually consists of head banging, eyeball pressing and biting. The third and most common form is Superficial self-mutilation which usually involves cutting, burning, hair-pulling, bone breaking, hitting, interference with wound healing and basically any method used to harm oneself. Most people who self-injure tend to be perfectionists, are unable to handle intense feelings, are unable to express their emotions verbally, have dislike for themselves and their bodies, and can experience severe mood swings. They may turn to self-injury as a way to express their feelings and emotions, or as a way to punish themselves. You may be wondering why someone would intentionally harm themselves. Self-injury can help someone relieve intense feelings such as anger, sadness, loneliness, shame, guilt and emotional pain. Many people who cut themselves, do this in an attempt to try and release all the emotions they are feeling internally. Others may feel so numb, that seeing their own blood when they cut themselves, helps them to feel alive because they usually feel so dead inside. Self-injury is also used as a way to punish oneself. If they were abused, they may feel ashamed, guilty and blame themselves for the abuse, which in turn causes them to feel the need to punish themselves by inflicting pain to their bodies. Whatever form of self-injury is used, the person is usually left with a peaceful and calm feeling afterwards. It is very difficult for people to admit to someone that they harm themselves because there is usually so much shame and guilt that goes along with it. It's important to try and remind yourself that there is no shame in what you are doing and that it's okay to reach out and ask for help. Sometimes treatment may also involve the use of medications and relaxation techniques can also be helpful. If there are support groups in your area, you may want to think about joining them for extra support. Many people who self-injure keep it a secret because they feel like they are crazy or insane. They fear if they tell anyone, they might be locked away forever. The truth is, people who intentionally harm themselves are in fact very normal and sane people, who are in a lot of emotional pain. They self-injure as a way to cope. Unfortunately, when people hear about this form of self-harm, they do tend to place labels on these people as being psychotic, abnormal and crazy, which is why so many people do not come forward and ask for help. Until society dispels all the myths surrounding self-injury and start to educate themselves on this subject, sufferers will continue to keep quiet and this form of abuse will continue to be a secret for a long time to come, which is why i want'd this website to become something for sufferes to join and help eachother and something for all non-understanders to finally learn to understand, so we dont have to suffer in silence anymore. Self harm is a lot more common than is probably realized. The term "self harm" is used to describe a certain behaviour where people of various ages, sex, religion and race, inflict injuries on themselves. Self harm is a sign that a person is in real distress. It is about despair, sadness, hurt, pain and isolation. Every person who self harms will have their own reasons for doing it.(Susan Llyod. child psychiatrist)
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