Self harm is a way to express emotions. People who self harm often have difficulties expressing themselves and making their needs know in a sophisticated way. For example, the person is unable to tell someone they are unhappy and ask for help, so they self harm as a way to communicate this distress. This is often a subconscious decision – especially in the early stages of self harm. It should not be confused with a person ‘attention seeking.’ Often people self harm in secret and people around them are unaware of their actions. The person may be unable to cry or talk to someone about their problems. Emotions then build up inside and the person turns to self harm to get rid of some of these negative feelings and pain.
For some people self harm is a survival tactic. It is a way to avoid suicide, a way to keep them alive. They self harm as an alternative to suicide, as a way to get themselves through painful experiences and overwhelming emotions.
WHY DO PEOPLE SELF HARM?
FUNCTIONS OF SELF HARM
It is clear that people self harm for a reason. The fact that self harm can quickly become someone’s only coping strategy for life, shows us that self harm works for the person. It does something to help them, it has a purpose. This is why it is difficult for a person to stop self harming.
Some of the functions of self harm include:
• To relieve stress and anxiety
• Create a sense of 'calm’
• Shows the person they are in control of their body and emotions
• Makes the person feel 'real' or ‘alive’ again
• Is a distraction from the real problem
• Gives a visual sign of the pain on the inside
• Communicates distress to others
• A way to ‘punish’ oneself
• A way to regain control
• Escape from overwhelming emotions such as anger, fear, depression, frustration
• An outward expression of internal pain
• Research has shown self-harm releases endorphins in the brain (our 'feel good' hormones) giving a sense of satisfaction and relief.
research dr marissa razali~
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