Self Harm

Self-harm

Why people self-harm

Self-harm is when somebody intentionally damages or injures their body.

• Self-harming may be a response to emotional distress, a coping mechanism for coping with guilt, a means of punishing oneself, dealing with unbearable tension, a cry for help, or a reaction to intrusive thoughts.

The reasons for self-harm may be connected to bad experiences that have occurred recently or in the past. But sometimes, the reasons are unknown. The grounds will change over time and may not be the same for everyone.

Common causes of emotional distress

A common explanation for self-harm is that it can express or cope with emotional distress. It’s often caused by many more minor things and eventually leads to self-harm. 

Here’s a list of some of the lesser causes of emotional distress

• being bullied
• pressure at school or work
• family arguments or relationship problems
• money worries
• low self-esteem
• struggling with stress, anxiety or depression
• confusion about sexuality
• grief after bereavement or loss
• physical or sexual abuse
• being in contact with the criminal justice system
• experiencing complex mental health difficulties that sometimes cause impulsive behaviour or difficulty controlling emotions, often due to past trauma