Why do people self-harm?
Many people who self-harm do it as an outlet to vent intense, painful emotions, which they feel unable to express through any other means (for example, anger, frustration, distress, depression, shame, aggression, or feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, or self-hatred).
Self-harm often begins as a method of coping with a painful experience or event such as family arguments, relationship problems, neglect, bullying, bereavement, rape or assault, physical or sexual abuse, unemployment, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, serious illness or disability, another distressing event in a person's life, or as a way of dealing with everyday problems and pressures.
Some people self-harm once or twice in order to help them to cope with a particular experience or traumatic event in their lives. Other people self-harm repeatedly whenever they face difficulties in their lives.
When somebody injures himself or herself, the body releases endorphins - it is a natural reaction to help us to cope with pain. Some people believe that when somebody self-harms these endorphins bring about temporary feelings of relief and well-being. It is these emotions that are sought by people who self-harm, hence the reason they often feel the need to self-harm repeatedly (it becomes like an addiction).
Self-harm can often become more severe as time goes on, and the person finds that they need to inflict more significant injuries in order to feel the same sense of release. This can result in serious harm or even unintentional suicide taking place.
A few people who self-harm do go on to commit suicide, sometimes accidentally (through a misplaced cut or severe overdose), or because self-harm no longer works as a method of coping with the intense emotions they are experiencing. However, self-harm should not be seen as a failed suicide attempt. It is a method people use to cope with life, not to end it.
