Self-harm: Healing the Inner Turmoil
Cases of self-harm are on the increase, so if someone close to you is self-harming what can you do to help?
Figures released recently report an increase of a third in cases of self-harm in the UK over the past five years, particularly among young women between 16 and 24 years old.
In England alone there were 97,871 cases of hospital admission for deliberate self-injury in 2007-08.
New research from the World Health Organisation reveals that the growing gap between rich and poor has led to ‘an increase in mental health problems including depression and self harm in countries like the UK and the US’.
In Britain alone, 12% of young women now admit to self-harming, an increase of 80% since 2000.
When someone self-harms it is a distressing situation for both the person carrying out the self-injury and for their close friends and family. In particular, most people do not know how to cope when someone close is self-harming.
So what can we do to help?
What is Self Harm
Self-harm is defined as the act of deliberately injuring oneself, normally by cutting. Whilst this is the physical manifestation, the act of self-harm is in fact a symptom of a much deeper malaise and acute distress.
Who Self Harms
As mentioned above, self-harm is prevalent amongst young people and particularly young women, but it can also affect mature adults. Some people may self-injure just once in response to trauma, some in a regular, ritualistic manner on a daily or weekly basis. It can continue for years or just a few weeks.
Why do People Self Harm
People self-harm for a variety of reasons, mainly as a way of relieving extremely distressing emotions or situations. It may come as a surprise but self-injury is a coping mechanism.
A self-harmer is more likely to – but not always - have experienced difficult emotional situations as a child or young adult. These may include physical, emotional or sexual abuse, a difficult upbringing or a sense of abandonment, perhaps through being brought up in care homes, for example. Other causes may be the loss of a parent at an early age or a sense of neglect or isolation.
Self-esteem is decimated in cases like these and self-harmers normally find it difficult to express their emotions clearly due to their early experiences. Feelings of sadness, despair, anger, grief and self-loathing can be overwhelming. Self-harm can ease this pain by providing comfort, relieving distress or as a form of self-punishment.
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Bullwinkle Muse | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Very fascinating account of a little-known phenomenon. Well-researched and explained as well. Nicely done!
Elizabeth Abbott | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Very well written article. I like it. I also agree 100%. E
Poetic Enigma | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Being a self harmer for over 8 years, I could definately relate to your article,
I think it is very well written and put together
Christine Ramsay | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Gosh this is a eye opener for me. I had no idea so much of this is going on. An excellent and extremely useful article.
Christine
F J McCarthy | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Very well written and researched article Kate. It is sad but true that this has become so prevalent in todays society. Thank you for opening peoples eyes to a serious problem.
Unofre Pili | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
I hold no knowledge about this before’; all I know is alcoholism because______________. Thanks kate for the info.
Daisy Peasblossom | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Well-written, good advice.
Joe Dorish | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Well researched article on a worthy topic.
rockjunedrock | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Brilliant… thanks
vim3 | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
I had read about this but did not know it was so serious and so prevalent. Thanks for bringing this issue into focus. Good work.
Darla Smith | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
A very informative article. Thanks for sharing.
OhSugar | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Very powerful work. I can only imagine the turmoil one must be going through, to feel that harming themselves is the only relief. Great article. Thanks for bringing it to the forefront.
rutherfranc | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
a well told and informative article Kate.. nice of you to share it with us.. breaking bones? (shudders) that`s a little extreme..
CHAN LEE PENG | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Self-harm is a serious case. It’s one of the symptoms of extreme depression.
amilia snow | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
A very educating piece,it’s stg we should all equip ourselves with- thx for the knowledge, kate.
lindalulu | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Great article with good info. My oldest son tried to kill himself a few months ago it is very hard to deal with.
J.B. Blend | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Before…when we were young my sister used to slammed her head when she gets upset or mad…but my mom and my dad were always watching her….and so her sisters too….When she grew up, she didn’t do it anymore…
I think…, it can be coped when the whole family are watching over the person…of course with love and care
jo oliver | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Great info. Thank you for raising awareness.
Eunice Tan | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Very informative and useful. Great article
Monica Sappleton | Mar 24, 2009 | Reply
Wow!that is an extremely large number of people who are harming themselves, and you have brought this to the open very, giving a lot of useful tips to help these ones and their families. Great article.
Monica
Tena Mosher | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
i never knew this stuff before. It’s sad that people have actually gone through that…
Daghost413860 | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
Wow. I can relate to this article 2 well! Great job! its so sad to have someone you love like this
Athlyn Green | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
Well researched article and I liked the resource you included.You’ve touched on an important subject and have given readers options. This gets a Stumble.
julianhw | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
Having dealt with this situation in my professional career I cannot commend you enough for a well structured and empathetic article. This should be submitted to the widest audience possible, as awareness is the best possible help that can be instigated. Well written and well done.
CutestPrincess | Mar 25, 2009 | Reply
i had a friend who’s doing exactly the same as you mentioned here… thank god she’s ok now!
C. S. Robins | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
Wow, thank you for the overview of this terrible new way to cope. This article brings good awareness of this type of self destruction people do not understand and consequencially do not know how to help. People get frustrated because they do not understand whch further frustrates the self-harmer. I would love to see more in depth articles and links as to the thinking processes of these people, their experienes, and stories of recovery.
deehackett | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
It was a 5 year battle for me to stop what I was doing to myself mainly because of a lack of awareness in the people around me. This is informative and hopefully will bring this more in the light. Thank you for this!
ML Sheldon | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
Very good article, Kate. You’re really bringing out an issue that many people don’t understand.
thestickman | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
stunning… :-
Mystical Whitewolf | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Great article. Many have no knowledge this happens it is good that you wrote about it so the information is out there for others to read.
The Quail | Apr 23, 2009 | Reply
Very informative as well as helpful article.
Luffy12 | Apr 24, 2009 | Reply
great info and tips
cacr | Apr 25, 2009 | Reply
Self harm is really a terrible thing to do
Alina Beck | Apr 25, 2009 | Reply
Several times in the past students of mine have confided in me that they were harming themselves – I wish I had read this article before as it contains so much excellent insight.
Denise Kawaii | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
Very good information on a problem that no one wants to talk about. It is scary how common this issue is, and how little people know about it.
postpunkpixie | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
This is an absolutely wonderful article. As someone who used to self-harm themselves (with no recent relapses, touch wood), the advice and information you give here is really helpful.
swatilohani | May 22, 2009 | Reply
awesome
B Nelson | May 27, 2009 | Reply
I use to be into cutting when I was a teen.
My problem stemmed from frustration. I am not trying to brag, but basically I was more intelligent than my situation allowed me to express. It was also at a time of the Cold War.
My early childhood trauma = being the oldest of 4 (mom had my sister when I was 18 months, a very needy age) I was pushed away in favor of “the babies” time and time again.
StumbleUponWriter | Jun 26, 2009 | Reply
This is a good topic and I hope all those that need help or have troubles inside would research on read up on articles such as this.. keep it up, Kate..