Self-harming is not something I would suggest or condone to anyone, especially if it is being used as a coping mechanism. It is something that is often seen as evil, bad and negative when it could also be seen as something else. Once again, I am not promoting self-harming with this post in any way, I am simply trying to change people's knowledge and understanding of it. Many people might not like what they are about to read, but it is the truth nevertheless...
10 - Self-Harm Can Make You Feel Happy
When you suffer from clinical depression you can indeed make yourself better by self-harming. It's far better than any antidepressant as it works almost instantly and can be done anywhere and anywhen. Obviously, if this is the only thing that makes you feel happy you should tell a doctor or family member ASAP, but it does make you feel happy like it or not.
9 - Self-Harm Is Not a Sign of Being Suicidal
If you are cutting yourself it is a sure sign you are trying to commit suicide right? Well...no. In fact, it isn't a way to get attention neither. In a survey of people who self harm over 70% of them said they didn't feel suicide at all and didn't want any attention drawn towards them.
8 - Self-Harmers Often Hate Self-Harming!
In a survey of college students who cut themselves almost all of them said they hate themselves for self-harming, hate the way their marks and scars look and even go so far as to think self-harming is stupid! But yet people who self harm via eating disorders, drinking or drug abuse were a lot more understanding of their actions.
7 - Self-Harming is Not Often Seen
Most people who self-harm will keep it to themselves and this is often the worse thing they can do. There could be someone sat at the desk next to you who is pinching, marking or cutting themselves right there and then and you would never know. Only by talking to people who are showing signs of anxiety or depression can a better understanding be gained.
6 - Self-Harm Can Help You Feel Sad
It might make sense to someone who doesn't self-harm that doing any form of self-harming would make you feel sad, but it is a proven way to release pent up negative emotions. This is often seen in people who have been raised in to think to cry is for "wimps", or to "man up", "grow some balls". If people are not allowed to feel sadness emotionally, they'll let it out physically via self-harming.
5 - A LOT of People Self Harm
Worldwide it is said 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males engage in self-injury every year and that number is rising all the time as more and more people become aware of mental health issues and struggles.
4 - Self-Harming Releases More Endorphins Than Sex!
While I would much prefer the latter to self-harm it is a fact nevertheless. Endorphins are endogenous opioids that are released in response to physical injury, acting as natural painkillers and inducing pleasant feelings in comparison to an orgasm.
3 - The Most Common Cause of Self-Harming is PTSD
In fact, almost 80% of all self-harmers have suffered some sort of trauma in their lives with over 50% of all self-harmers being sexually abused. This is one set of stats that really show self-harming is just something caused by a multitude of other things in a person life rather than just the self-harming
2 - Self-Harming Can Be Addictive
Sadly self-harming can be really addictive with many individuals craving the release that injuring themselves may bring about. The rush of endorphins afterwards is something that no pill can replicate and no other action can simulate at the same speed. At the end of the day if you are addicted to self-harming there is a lot more going on besides that and the addiction is just a way of coping with other things no matter how many times you do it.
1 - Self-Harming is a Ritual Practice in many Cultures and Religions
While I could tell you about some minority tribe in some jungle somewhere who use it as a way to talk to their volcano gods I won't. The reason is that is is much more widespread than that and in all the main religions of the world. Self-harm is practised in Hinduism by the ascetics known as sadhus. In Catholicism, it is known as mortification of the flesh. Even some branches of Islam mark the Day of Ashura which is the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, with a ritual of self-flagellation, using chains and swords.
Posts about this topic can be upsetting for people who view them. If you or someone you know is going through something difficult or struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you're not alone. Helplines can provide free, confidential and immediate support. Just Google "Samaritans helpline" for more help.
