Health and WellbeingBeing gay is often just associated with sex. To have a full understanding of your sexuality it is good to spend time thinking about how you feel. Check these pages out for advice and information. |  |
What is self harm?
Deliberate self harm is where people do things like bruise, scratch, cut or burn their skin, pull their hair out or overdose.
Why do people self harm?
People who self-harm usually describe it as a way of coping, of surviving rather than wanting to end their lives. Here are some of the reasons someone might self harm:
• They have overwhelming feelings they cannot cope with, like extreme distress or anger. Self harm may give someone in this situation a feeling of peace or calm.
• They feel numb and can’t ‘feel’ their emotions and self harm might help the person feel more alive.
• Some people self-harm because they believe they need to be punished.
• For others it gives them a sense of being in control, especially if other parts of their lives feel out of their control. For example if they have low self esteem or have been through family break-up, bullying, concerns over their sexuality or abuse.
Self harm can get out of control and lead to serious problems, so if you are self harming or feel like you might it is really important to get help.
If this has happened to you, you should talk to someone. If you go to a gay youth group, try talking to a worker there, they will be able to support you or refer you to a counselling service. You could also try talking to your GP.
Stopping self-harming
It can be hard to give up a way of coping which has been helpful. If you want to stop self-harming it’s important to think about the reasons which led you to self-harm in the first place and it is advisable to talk to someone.
You could also try these strategies:
• Keep a diary, see if you can find out what ‘triggers’ your self harm
• Do some art, try painting the way you are feeling
• Exercise! Go for a walk or a run
• Try using an ice cube to press on your skin when you have the urge to self harm
• Try putting a rubber band round your wrist and ‘pinging’ it when you have the urge to self harm.
Also remember that if you decide to stop self-harming and you have a relapse, just keep trying and don’t give up. It can often take a lot of attempts before you are able to give up self-harming entirely.
You might find the following links useful
www.samaritans.org/your_emotional_health/dealing_with_self-harm.aspx#1-WhatIsSelfHarm
www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth/selfharm/whydopeopleselfharm
www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/home
This article was last reviewed on: 26/10/11
Date due for next review: 26/10/13
