Self Injury - The Start

Self Injury

You are not alone in your struggle with self-injury. Maybe you do it when you're feeling alone, numb, scared, vulnerable, depressed, angry, melancholy, etc. Maybe you think about it all the time. Maybe it's one of those things that you do once in a great while and find tremendous relief from it. Self-injury can be addictive and often times it is a repetitive behavior. Most people who injure themselves don't want anyone else to know what they're doing, let alone to see the scars from it. In any case, please know that you don't have to be ashamed of hurting yourself. Many people struggle with this as their only way to feel connected to the world around them. Self-injury is quite dangerous and doesn't have to be your only available outlet. If you are one of these people, please talk to someone and get help. You don't have to keep hurting yourself.

 

 

According to S.A.F.E.

Self-injury is also termed self-mutilation, self-harm or self-abuse. The behavior is defined as the deliberate, repetitive, impulsive, non-lethal harming of one's self.

Self-injury includes but is not limited to:

1) cutting

2) scratching

3) picking scabs or interfering with wound healing

4) burning

5) punching self or objects

6) infecting oneself

7) inserting objects in skin

8) bruising or breaking bones

9) some forms of hair-pulling.

These behaviors, which pose serious risks, may be symptoms of a mental health problem that can be treated.

Next Steps

Please talk with a friend or family member. Share with them where you are at in your life and the struggles that you are facing. Being open and honest with someone is the most important step to recovery.

You can begin this process by clicking on Live Help and talking with one of us. We also hope that you'll read an article, watch a video, or simply see something on this site that encourages you to get help.

Share your story with others. Email us your story, create a video for heartsupport and upload it to the site, and begin telling others about your life and the journey you are on. You are on a journey towards wholeness and we believe that sharing it with others is not only good for you, but good for other people to hear as well.