subject: Self-Injury - What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Hurts Themselves [print this page] Self-Injury - What To Do If You Or Someone You Know Hurts Themselves
Self-injury can have many different forms, cutting being one of the most common, but also including burning, scratching, hitting, biting, picking scabs and pulling out hairs. SI is not a suicide attempt, it is a coping mechanism.
There are many reasons behind why someone may SI, perhaps it could be the stress of school or work, feelings of loneliness, sexual abuse, or bullying. Sometimes SI is just seen as attention seeking, however if someone is going to the extreme of hurting themselves just to get attention it probably indicates a more serious underlying problem. SI does not mean that someone is crazy, it's a sign that something is wrong. Also remember that the severity of the self-injury is not linked to how bad the problems behind it are. Someone who makes tiny scratches could have problems that are just as bad as someone who cuts deeply.
People have many different reasons why self-injuring makes them feel better. For some it makes them feel calm, for others it is a way of punishing themselves, and for others it is the only way to escape the feeling of being numb that so often comes with problems like depression.
If you or someone you know self-injures and is not ready to stop yet it is very important to know how to look after cuts and wounds properly, to prevent infections and to help scars heal as well as possible. Make sure that all wounds are properly cleaned and dressed, never use anything dirty to cut with and always see a doctor if in doubt.
If you find out that someone you know is self-injuring then perhaps your first instinct is to try and make them stop in any way possible. This may not be the best idea. The self injurer has learnt to rely on their SI as a way of coping, and to take that away suddenly they may no longer be able to cope with life. The best step is generally to listen and understand, and get help if necessary.
Whether you have been hurting yourself for ten years or ten days, whether you do tiny scratches or deep cuts, it's possible to stop. It is a difficult thing to do, and may take some time, but you will get there in the end. The first step to stopping SI is to find the reasons why you want to stop. There are many general reasons and there may be some personal to you as well. Here are a few to get you started:
Hurting yourself hurts other people around you, your friends, family, boyfriend, girlfriend, anyone who finds out. It hurts them because they care about you. Although you may think that you can just hide it from people they will find out in the end, and they will get hurt.
It stops you doing things that you want to do, for example wearing the clothes you want to, going swimming, getting changed round a friend's house. Imagine trying to explain to your children why you are covered in cuts and scars.
To find out more, or receive support from those who understand, please visit the Never Alone website and forums at www.never-alone.org
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