Just like eating disorders, self-harm has just as many myths and stigmas surrounding it. Far too many misconceptions are out there, creating further confusion and isolation for those who means of coping include self-harm. These myths only places more burdens those who harm and their family. It discourages them from finding help and realising it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Self-harm is about coping. It’s a form of communication that says “I am in pain but cannot talk about it”. It’s about having a way to ease the turmoil on the inside. Self-harm doesn’t last forever either. Therapy means learning healthy ways of facing and expressing feelings.
Myth 1
Self-harm is an attempt at suicide.
Fact: Untrue. Most self-harmers are doing this to cope, it is simply a mechanism. Self-harm is an attempt to hurt, control, have power or cleanse, not to kill. They are more at risk however, and anyone who self-harms should seek professional help.
Myth 2
It’s just attention seeking.
Fact: Most harmers hide to do the actual behavior and they mostly harm parts of the body that remain hidden. Very few outsiders will ever know someone self-harms unless told.
Myth 3
It’s an emo/goth/fashion/trend thing.
Fact: There is no correlation between any youth culture that has self-harm as more prevalent. Dress or culture groups will not give preclude or produce self-harming. Nor is it trendy. The mess and pain associated with self-harm is not something trend followers would put up with.
Myth 4
If you self-harm, you have a mental illness or personality disorder.
Fact: Self-harm is a behavior not an illness or disorder. It is not a medical disease nor a diagnosis. It is the outcome not the source. It is more to do with psychological or emotional problems. Many self-harmers do not meet the criteria for mental illness or disorders.
