About 5% of people harm themselves in this way. A person who self-harms usually does not intend to kill themselves. But they are at increased risk of attempting suicide if they do not get help.
Self-harm usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Some people may engage in self-harm a few times and then stop. Others engage in it more often and have difficulty stopping.
Examples of self-harm include:
Cuts (e.g., using a razor blade, knife, or another sharp object to cut the skin).
Punching oneself or hitting objects (e.g., against a wall)
Cigarette, match, or candle burning
Pulling hair
Pushing things through holes in the body
Breaking bones or bruising oneself
Why do people do this?
Some people use cuts as a coping tool. Some teenagers say that by hurting themselves, they are trying to stop feeling lonely, angry, or hopeless.
The desire to hurt yourself can be overcome. Counseling a psychologist can help with this. At Serenity, people who want to hurt themselves can find help and support.
Comments