What is self harm and why do people engage in this practice? Self harm is the act of harming yourself through cutting or burning and sometimes through self starvation. It is an undesirable effort to cope with emotional problems such as frustration and anger.

Many people think that it is an attempt at suicide but this is not the case. Nor is it connected to any cultural ritual. The self harm brings a release of tension but this is short lived. This brings on another set of emotional problems in guilt and shame. Often, people who practice self harming also suffer from mental illnesses such as borderline personality disorder, depression, or eating disorders.

Some signs to look for include:

• Cuts or scratches

• Bruising

• Scars from cuts or burns

• Wearing long sleeves and pants in all types of weather

Although the majority of self harm is through cutting, there are a number of other ways of self harming such as:

• Taking an overdose

• Poisoning

• Burning skin with cigarettes

• Head banging

• Self starvation

• Biting self

• Pulling hair out

• Picking at existing wounds

The behavior of self harming is usually repetitive and can actually be addictive. The most likely places of harm are the arms, legs, and stomach because of the ease of hiding these areas under clothing. It can be of either a controlled or an impulsive nature.

If you believe you have self harming tendencies, even thoughts of doing so, it is crucial to seek professional help. It indicates more profound issues and leads to a life of distress. There is also the risk of infection, disfigurement, and even death.

Seeking help can help you to find better coping strategies that won’t leave your body scarred. There is plenty of nonjudgmental help available so you don’t need to feel ashamed.

If someone you know or love is self harming, don’t be frightened. Learn about the problem and adopt a caring but firm attitude toward the behavior. If the person is an adult, try to encourage him/her to see a doctor. If it’s a child, remain calm and seek help from a pediatrician who may refer the child to a mental health professional.

If someone has harmed themselves seriously, don’t hesitate to call your local emergency services and get the person to hospital.

The reasons and issues that cause people to self harm are complex. It is generally the result of ineffective coping mechanisms toward deep emotional distress. People who harm themselves usually find it difficult to express or understand their emotions. They harm themselves to physically distract themselves from this psychological pain and give themselves some control over the situation.

It is also a way to feel something when they feel emotionally drained. It may also be used as self punishment for perceived imperfections. Again, it may be a cry for attention.

There are certain risk factors involved in self harming. These include:

Self harm is more prevalent in females

The majority of self harmers are adolescents

History of abuse during childhood

History of mental health issues

Alcohol or drug abuse

There are various ways of treating people who self harm and a specific treatment is tailored to the individual. It can take a long time and is reliant on the person’s desire to overcome the need to self harm. Because it is often accompanied by other mental health issues, it is crucial that these issues are addressed if treatment is to be successful.