Self-harm

Self-harm, also referred to as self-injury, is the intentional act of harming or injuring our body. Self-harm may not be obvious and can include substance abuse, our relationship with eating and deliberately acting in a way that puts ourselves in danger. Anyone of any age can experience self-harm.

Trigger warning: the content on this page explores self-harm. Please read with care.

On this page

What is self-harm?

Self-harm refers to the intentional act of causing short or long-term harm to our body. Self-harm can take a variety of forms which can include, scratching, cutting, biting, picking or burning. Some of the most common areas of the body that are harmed are arms, wrists, thighs, head and chest. As well as inflicting an injury or direct harm to yourself, it can include experiencing difficulties with drugs or alcohol, eating disorders or deliberately putting yourself in dangerous situations or taking life-endangering risks.

Self-harm, also called nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been linked to depression and mood disorders. Self-harming behaviour can sometimes be associated with suicidal ideation.

Self-harm is normally a result of someone trying to cope with overwhelming difficult emotions, memories or situations.

Symptoms of self-harm

Someone might not realise that they are self-harming if their behaviours do not inflict direct harm to their body, but instead are longer-term damaging actions such as using substances or living in a way that puts their life in danger. Whether this is the case or someone is directly harming their body with instruments, they are likely to feel the urge to undertake these activities or inflict harm to themselves as a response to feeling a range of emotions, including depression, anxiety, anger or confusion.

It can be difficult to spot when someone else is self-harming. They may be displaying symptoms of experiencing another mental health condition.

Signs somebody might be self-harming include:

  • Wearing clothes they wouldn’t normally wear that cover body parts they don’t normally conceal
  • Unexplained bruises, cuts or injury
  • Unusual behaviour or a change in behaviour meaning they are presenting more withdrawn, angry or confused
  • Not wanting to partake in usual activities or spending a lot of time alone

If you’re concerned about someone, it’s important to try and speak to them, and if you’re worried about yourself, there is support out there.

Disclosing self-harm:

If you’ve self-harmed, are currently harming yourself or are worried about your feelings or behaviours, visiting your GP can be a great first step to take to access the right support. They will talk to you about how you’re feeling, your current circumstance or situation and be able to refer you for appropriate further support. It can feel daunting to reach out for help. It can be helpful to remind yourself that you’re not alone and that you do deserve support. Many people who self-harm feel they do not deserve help as they feel ashamed or at fault for their actions.

If you are supporting someone else who you think or is self-harming, it can be difficult to know what to say. You can help someone in the following ways:

  • If someone talks to you about their self-harm, they might be worried that you will be angry, judgemental or shocked. Trying to remain calm and thinking about what to say before you say it, can help the other person to feel more comfortable.
  • Show them you’re listening. Take the time to listen. You don’t need to provide immediate solutions or answers, simply listening and being there for someone to confide in can help their situation greatly.
  • Encourage them to seek support. Opening up to you might have taken someone a lot of time and courage in itself, so although you don’t want to pressure someone to immediately go to their GP, it’s important that you do let them know about the professional help out there. You could even suggest attending an appointment with them.
  • If you’re worried someone is self-harming but they have not disclosed this to you, you won’t make their situation worse by simply asking them the question. Find out more about how to open a conversation with someone about mental health here.

If you’re concerned about someone, it’s important to try and speak to them, and if you’re worried about yourself, there is support out there.

Causes of self-harm:

The reasons why people self-harm are complex. Someone might not be able to always identify a clear reason why they harmed themselves or behave in a harmful way. People self-harm for reasons including:

  • To deal with strong emotions like anger or sadness.
  • To punish themselves for things they think they’ve done wrong.
  • Make themselves feel more ‘normal’.
  • To try and make other people aware they are struggling.
  • As a distraction from intense feelings.
  • To try and get relief from what they are experiencing emotionally.
  • To deal with painful memories, such as past trauma, abuse or bullying.

Self-harm treatment:

If you’ve reached out to a GP or psychiatrist, they should discuss a range of different treatment and support options for you, and your views and preferences should be taken into account. Some professionals will also want to discuss other mental health symptoms as self-harm can be related to experiencing other mental health conditions.

Common treatment or support for self-harm include:

  • Talking therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic therapy.
  • Support groups, peer-lead or facilitated.
  • Medication might be offered alongside talking therapy to support symptoms of other mental health conditions.
  • A GP has access to refer you to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists and community psychiatric nurses to assist with your support as appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research has shown there is a strong relationship between self-harm and suicide, but in most cases, people who self-harm are not trying to end their life. The emotional distress which leads a person to self-harm could lead them to suicide and therefore should be taken seriously.

Although a commonly held stereotype this is not true and an unhelpful way to perceive the person self-harming. Many people who self-harm go to great lengths to keep it a secret from others due to feelings of shame or embarrassment. Opening up to someone about self-harming behaviour takes a lot of courage.Self-harm can affect anyone of any age and any gender. Research has shown that adolescents are more likely to self-harm than at any other age but this does not mean that adults don’t self-harm. Whilst self-harm in females is more common than in males, it is also recognised that males may self-harm in less obvious ways and might be less likely to seek help.

Self-harm can affect anyone of any age and any gender. Research has shown that adolescents are more likely to self-harm than at any other age but this does not mean that adults don’t self-harm. Whilst self-harm in females is more common than in males, it is also recognised that males may self-harm in less obvious ways and might be less likely to seek help.

Useful contacts:

Urgent support

If you’re concerned about someone’s safety, call: 999

If you’re struggling and need someone to talk to, contact Samaritans:

Call: 116 123
Website: www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan

 

Other support available

LifeSIGNS

LifeSIGNS (Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support) is an online, user-led charitable organisation providing information and support to people of all ages affected by self-injury across the UK.

Website: www.lifesigns.org.uk

National Self-Harm Network

Online forum providing support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions.

Website: www.nshn.co.uk

Alumina

Providing free online self-harm support for 11 to 19 year olds.

Website: www.selfharm.co.uk

YoungMinds

If you are a young person struggling to cope you can access free mental health support 24/7.

Text: YM to 85258
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk