Self-Harm
En Español
Body
Self-harm refers to when a person hurts their own body on purpose. It is more common amongst women than men. A person who self-harms usually does not mean to kill themselves, but they are at higher risk of attempting suicide and dying by suicide if they do not get help.
Causes
Self-harm tends to begin in teen or early adult years. Some people may engage in self-harm a few times and then stop. Others do it more often and have trouble stopping.
For many people, self-harm gives them a sense of relief and is used as a means to cope with a problem. Some teens say that when they hurt themselves, they are trying to stop feeling lonely, angry, or hopeless.
Signs & Symptoms
Examples of self-harm include:
Cutting one’s skin with a sharp object
Piercing the skin with sharp objects
Hitting or punching oneself or punching things (like a wall)
Burning oneself with cigarettes, matches, or candles
Breaking bones or bruising oneself
Symptoms and warning signs of self-harm:
Scars
Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in hot weather
Talking about feeling worthless or helpless
Fresh cuts, bruises, bite marks, or burns
Keeping sharp objects on hand
Frequent reports of accidental injury
Emotional and behavioral instability and unpredictability
Get Help
It is possible to overcome the urge to hurt yourself. There are other ways to find relief and cope with your emotions. Self-harm treatment options can include outpatient therapy, partial-inpatient or and inpatient hospitalization. When behaviors are life-threatening or interfere with daily life, specialized self-harm programs are recommended.
Learn how to talk about mental health to help you speak to a loved one who you may think is experiencing any mental health concerns.