What is self-harm?

Self-harm is when someone deliberately hurts or injures him or herself.

Self-harming behaviours can take a number of forms including:

• cutting
• taking overdoses of tablets or medicines
• punching oneself
• throwing one’s body against something
• pulling out hair or eyelashes
• scratching, picking or tearing at skin causing sores and scarring
• inhaling or sniffing harmful substances
• swallowing things that are not edible
• inserting objects into one’s body
• burning.
  

Some young people self harm on a regular basis while others do it just once or irregularly. For some people it is part of coping with a specific problem and they stop once the problem is resolved. Other people self harm over several years whenever certain kinds of pressures or feelings arise.

A few people who self-harm may go on to commit suicide – although this is rare. Generally, self-harm is very different to suicide as it is often a way of coping with life rather than of giving up on it. Self-harm can be a way of externalising internal pain or a form of self-punishment. It is not usually a way of manipulating others, but often a way of expressing something that cannot easily be put into words. Through releasing the pain it helps the person feel more in control of their emotions and body.

Self-harm is often also referred to by other names such as deliberate self-harm, attempted suicide, para-suicide, self-mutilation and self-injury. Talking or reading about self-harm can sometimes become confusing because researchers and health professionals may use these terms to mean different things. A research article or report will usually define exactly how it is using any specialised terms.

“I have a history of self harm because of bullying at an all girls school 3 years ago.

"I moved to my new school in January 2003 and I finally felt comfortable enough to talk to someone about it. For my English Coursework we had the opportunity to write a magazine article on the subject of my choice. I felt I had to write the article on a subject I understood best 'Self Harm'. My teacher decided my article was excellent and showed some of the other teachers (without my name at the bottom). The problem was one of the teachers he showed decided that what was written was a load of crap and people who self harm are just attention seeking.”